I have great fondness for doors. The first door that I ever purchased was a garage sale find seven or eight years ago. I had been looking for a door to prop in the corner of my living room to provide height and some architectural value in a room that didn't have any interesting structure. It still has all its original hardware including the hinges. For garnish, I keep a seasonal wreath on the door.
A decorated door can add needed texture to an otherwise boring corner.
A similar treatment on this door is used to liven up a basement hallway with limited design options.
Once my old door collection had begun, it was time to find the perfect specimen for the coffee table I had always wanted to make out of a door. So the search began for the right size door.
I learned that older doors are usually solid and can be cut to size if needed so I only needed to get close on the dimensions.
Often, other items salvaged from the same source, like this four-paned window, make a nice matching accessory.
I happened to find a house not far from my neighborhood that was scheduled to be demolished. With the owner's permission, I stripped the house of old windows, drawers and last but not least a small door that would eventually be my wonderful table.
The lady that owned the house told me my door was over 100 years old. Crap! That meant I had to take the time to strip the door so that my beautiful little girls that like to chew on corners wouldn’t be affected by the lead. A little paint stripper and a gas mask made short work of that problem.
This coffee table never fails to grab the attention of new guests.
The coffee table stands 17 inches tall. The 2x4's for the legs were cut with a slight angle and the skirt trim was made with scrap wood stolen... err... borrowed from my dad’s woodworking shop. Both the legs and the skirt were attached with my pneumatic stapler/nailer. That's right, ladies, air tools. Be ye not afraid.
This was a five dollar project, including new paint and a couple of 2x4's. If you don’t have an extensive wood pile at your disposal, don't worry, this is still not an expensive project and has a great payoff in its surprising conversational value.
This door is the perfect size for a family room coffee table.
Under the table is one of The Bitch's favorite hang-outs.
These old doors are an indispensable resource which is why they are the backbone of some of my favorite projects. I have seen many people use doors for shelves, headboards, coat racks and even benches. They are great because you can also find them in any number of places. I have even been known to rummage through garbage cans like a bum to dig out the perfect door.
When scavenging, don't forget to collect all the hardware you can find. Those old hinges, knobs and keys can also be used in all kinds of decorating projects.
Avoid the temptation to remove the old doorknobs.
Even without a specific project in mind, these loose hinges and knobs are charming displayed in a wire basket.
These loose doorknobs made the perfect adornment for this coat rack.
Open your mind. Be creative.
]]>
I have great fondness for doors. The first door that I ever purchased was a garage sale find seven or eight years ago. I had been looking for a door to prop in the corner of my living room to provide height and some architectural value in a room that didn't have any interesting structure. It still has all its original hardware including the hinges. For garnish, I keep a seasonal wreath on the door.
A decorated door can add needed texture to an otherwise boring corner.
A similar treatment on this door is used to liven up a basement hallway with limited design options.
Once my old door collection had begun, it was time to find the perfect specimen for the coffee table I had always wanted to make out of a door. So the search began for the right size door.
I learned that older doors are usually solid and can be cut to size if needed so I only needed to get close on the dimensions.
Often, other items salvaged from the same source, like this four-paned window, make a nice matching accessory.
I happened to find a house not far from my neighborhood that was scheduled to be demolished. With the owner's permission, I stripped the house of old windows, drawers and last but not least a small door that would eventually be my wonderful table.
The lady that owned the house told me my door was over 100 years old. Crap! That meant I had to take the time to strip the door so that my beautiful little girls that like to chew on corners wouldn’t be affected by the lead. A little paint stripper and a gas mask made short work of that problem.
This coffee table never fails to grab the attention of new guests.
The coffee table stands 17 inches tall. The 2x4's for the legs were cut with a slight angle and the skirt trim was made with scrap wood stolen... err... borrowed from my dad’s woodworking shop. Both the legs and the skirt were attached with my pneumatic stapler/nailer. That's right, ladies, air tools. Be ye not afraid.
This was a five dollar project, including new paint and a couple of 2x4's. If you don’t have an extensive wood pile at your disposal, don't worry, this is still not an expensive project and has a great payoff in its surprising conversational value.
This door is the perfect size for a family room coffee table.
Under the table is one of The Bitch's favorite hang-outs.
These old doors are an indispensable resource which is why they are the backbone of some of my favorite projects. I have seen many people use doors for shelves, headboards, coat racks and even benches. They are great because you can also find them in any number of places. I have even been known to rummage through garbage cans like a bum to dig out the perfect door.
When scavenging, don't forget to collect all the hardware you can find. Those old hinges, knobs and keys can also be used in all kinds of decorating projects.
Avoid the temptation to remove the old doorknobs.
Even without a specific project in mind, these loose hinges and knobs are charming displayed in a wire basket.
These loose doorknobs made the perfect adornment for this coat rack.
Open your mind. Be creative.
]]>
