Spectacular vintage doors

Several years ago, when John and I moved from our old farmhouse to a brand new home that we had built in the countryside, I was nervous about losing the charm and character of our old home. You know... all the cracks, crevices, and other nuances that I'd fallen in love with over the years. New construction can be intimidating when you're trying to blend old world charm with modern conveniences... John and I knew we wanted to infuse vintage architectural elements into our new space, to make our home feel as thought it had been around for centuries (but still have TiVo and a dishwasher!!!). For me, these rustic old doors and unique hardware are just one way of bringing vintage character to a newer space.

We found a soulful pair of vintage Asian doors that grace our foyer closet; and an antique set of French doors in the grand style (ornate wood & iron) as the entrance into our great room. We absolutely cherish them there... Even our boys seem to love them, and want to know more about them, since they often use our foyer to build forts and other imaginative worlds inside...

Even if creating a stately entrance (or fort) isn't at the top of your list... there are other cool ways to infuse the character of old doors into your space. Try hinging several old doors together as a charming room divider, or a striking backdrop behind a couch or settee. Why not use them to flank a large picture window, or an interior doorway? (Who says the doors need to open and close??) Other possibilities include turning a single vintage door into a table, desk, or headboard... (And yes, I've done all three!)

Check out the following online treasure troves for vintage doors and antique hardware...

Amighini Architectural Inc.

Eron Johnson Antiques

Architectural Accents

Historic Houseparts

Even if you aren't ready to take the plunge... I hope you find a moment to meander... they're definitely a juicy, visual feast!!