Making an Entrance
The front door - that which stands between our inner, private world and the outside world. The front door alone is a statement - it, perhaps more than any other element, declares the status of the building and in many cases the status of the occupants.
The same applies, perhaps more so, to public buildings. Those built in earlier times being grander and more imposing than much of which is built today which often appear somewhat uninspiring and unimaginative.
A town door, formal, grand and rather serious
The most famous door in Britain is probably No10 Downing Street, the home and office of the Prime Minister. It combines all of the elements of civic statesmanship, unassuming elegance and strength in a quintessentially English way. The gloss black paint and polished ironmongery are both simple and sophisticated at one and the same time. It conveys the dignity and importance of the occupant without any hint of pretentiousness.
It is, therefore, beyond the realms of possibility that this door, a door of such historic significance, could be repainted in any of the rainbow colours now so fashionable in some places. But imagine for a brief moment the significance of such an absurd act - the status, the history, the magnificence would at a stroke be wiped away forever.
To arrive at a front door is a moment for the visitor to any private residence. However familiar, one waits to be granted access from without to within. On entry we leave behind the public realm and enter someone’s personal realm where their rules apply. The front door is that gateway and in many cases its status reflects the style of building and in turn the status of the occupant.
A formal door but in a rural setting softened by the informal planting around the steps
The colour chosen for the front door is also significant. In the city, black is perhaps the most dignified and therefore appropriate colour, followed by the dark tints of green or blue. Pastel colours are certainly not right. Whilst black may predominate on high status houses in central London, in Dublin the Georgian houses show a great variety of colours featurin strong reds, greens, blues and yellow.
In the countryside there is no need to be so restrained and at the seaside almost anything goes except black! Here, pastel colours can abound as the light by the sea is completely different to that inland. The terraced houses and cottages of the coastal towns benefit from the stronger light and colours of the seaside.
Houses in France and Italy are as likely to be finished with clear varnish thereby enhancing the natural colour and grain of the timber.
This charming, yet practical, door knocker looks perfect on this Italian door
The ironmongery that adorns the front door also has significance and confers status. The door knocker dates back to Ancient Greece whilst the letterbox is, by comparison, the height of modernity. The finishes chosen also reflect the location and status of the door - polished brass in the city looks elegant and smart whilst black wrought iron is more appropriate on a cottage door.
Front doors should be looked after, cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. (The door at 10 Downing Street is removed and replaced with a replica every couple of years for refurbishment.) The sun plays havoc with paintwork particularly on south facing facades and even with the best paint systems available you will be lucky if the door lasts more than 4 years without the need for repainting. And talking of systems, one should always use high quality paints such as the Dulux Weathershield system and, to my mind, only oil based paints - they are superior to water based paints despite manufacturers’ claims to the contrary. It used to be the fashion to protect the front door with a curtain on sunny summer days to prevent the worst effects of exposure to the heat of the sun.
And finally, but no less importantly, how we adorn the immediate vicinity of the hall door is every bit as important as the door itself. The city door may have elegant pillars or clipped box trees to either side whilst the cottage door is completed with pots of geraniums, trailing roses or clematis creating a welcoming look to the house.
Inspiration for creating your own hall door is always at hand - just look at what is around you and emulate the style that best suits you and the location whilst adding your own touch of individuality.