Black French Doors
A lot of projects and things I do here on the blog all happen spontaneously. I do have an editorial calendar, and I try to follow it as closely as possible for scheduling, but there are some projects that happen on their own, and without being scheduled in. Painting our french doors black was one of them.
As with some things in our house, one day I’ll walk by a room and see something. That’s exactly what happened. I walked by our french doors, and knew they needed to be black. But… I will say I had to really think about it before hand. I really liked the light, bright, and clean look of our doors painted solid white. I really loved them, and even showed how to make them look a bit more expensive. That really made a difference, like wow!
Typically, when it comes to painting something, I just do it. I trust myself, and my gut decision on most all things I do, and I rarely (it does sometimes happen) don’t love the choices I made without feeling like I messed up, or it was better before. But, with this decision, I would be changing the entire feel of not only the living room, but our kitchen, dining room and entry. With our house having such an open floor, I really try to take into consideration how it will blend with the house, rather than one room.
And these black french doors, well they’re blending perfectly, and setting the stage for exactly what I envisioned for our entry way as well!
Here’s how I painted them…
First, I taped off around each door. I wanted to keep our trim white, so I knew tape would be crucial to getting crisp lines…
It took a little bit of time, but once it was done, I had taped around all the doors, and the floor…
Then, I added two solid coats, and a third light one to cover up any small white flecks, of Onyx by Benjamin Moore. I had it mixed in satin paint from my local Ace Hardware, which is what I do with all Benjamin Moore paint colors.
As I finished each door, I pulled off the tape while the paint was still wet. That’s crucial to crisp lines. The longer the tape sits, the worse the paint bleeds. Once all the tape was off, I used a razor blade to gently scrape any paint off the windows. It’s so easy to do, and it comes off without much work.
I really think they add a depth to our living room…
But I’m really not going to kid you, I had to let these sit for a few nights. It was a big change from our white doors…
And now…
Even as much as I wasn’t completely sure about them at first, I knew it’s very important to let them sit for a few days before making any permanent decision. A day later, I was sold on them…
It’s hard to capture it in the pictures because these windows let in so. much. light., but they truly added an element to the living room that it was craving. I think I knew it when I decided to paint them, but there was so much white going on, the doors were getting a little bit lost in the walls.
When we built our house a few years ago, I was adamant on having a solid wall of doors leading out to our patio. We have incredible views, so I wanted them to feel like you were surrounded by them. These black doors now frame our lovely views…
Overall, I really love the change. I’m excited to see them grow in the house, and finish a few more projects that will enhance several of our other rooms.
You know the saying, one thing leads to another! 😀
Beautiful and so well done. Have a great weekend, Ardith
Gorgeous. Love the doors.
Painting the doors black was the right decision. It makes the white pop out more. I have a lot of black and white in my living room and love how they work together. You did a great job with your outdoor furniture to by the way! Have a super weekend! Diane
They do make a statement don’t they. LUV it.
Happy weekend Shayna!
Black doors rock! I recently painted the interior of my front door and I love the elegance it adds. I plan to do the same next with my French doors. Yours look beautiful.
We have exactly the same doors! They are a light stain…………but I love your black doors!
Beautiful! I’m really surprised I like the black as much as I do. Thanks for sharing! Maybe I’ll be inspired to paint a little outside my comfort zone.
They look amazing! I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing, but I’ve been so scared to try it….you may have just given me the push I needed!
They look rich and expensive now.
Very high drama!!
I like it!!
Love them.. Where did you get the wing back chair?
Thank you! I bought the chairs at a thrift store and had them reupholstered in antique European grain sacks! Love them! 🙂
Hi Shayna ~
The doors are beautiful, such a bold move to use black, but I am seeing this more and more.
My sister painted the inside of her front door black, and it is beautiful and like you said for a short moment rich looking.
I would love to do the same to my front door, but I have to think about it a little more.
It look so good in your room –
Have a great weekend
Rose
Beautiful Shayna, it’s exactly what the room needed. Depth,
Great change!! I love it!!
Can you tell me what brand your doors are? We are looking at putting in some doors and I really like the look of yours. The black looks amazing! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Laura! Unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly where we got our doors. When we built, our contractor gave me a few books and I picked from there. I believe we ordered from ProBuild, a local store in our area. I’m pretty sure both our front door, and french doors, are made by ThermaTru. You may be able to look at their website?? Sorry that’s not more helpful.
love it! love all the white,but a little touch of the black is sharp!
I don’t comment often because someone else has already said what I planned to, but I’m gonna write anyway.
LOVE the black doors! They seem to add sophistication to the room, although like you I love white French doors too.
I’m waffling on painting interior doors black. I really like the look, but we live in a cape cod cottage that is dark in nature (not enough windows and too many walls). I don’t know if the black would darken things? But like I tell all my friends with paint questions-it’s only paint! You can always paint over it!!!
Thanks for your blog and the inspiration you give! Marianna in Tennessee
Well you know I’m obsessed with black doors and this is a perfect example of why! Great choice, they look so classy!
I would never dream that black french doors could change a room like yours did. I am inspired but nervous as well. I have a new construction with the same size doors (12′) going from my great room to screened porch. Also, in the adjacent breakfast area and kitchen (open floor plan), I have another set of french doors (6′). Do you think the black doors will look as well with off-white/bisque walls/room colors as it does with white??
Thanks for your inspiration!
Hi Sherry! 🙂 Your home sounds lovely! I wouldn’t hesitate to paint those doors black. They really make a statement and a *pop* for your home. Black goes with everything, and I think black doors will look lovely with an off white color! Paint away! 🙂