Getting Cozy: The Front Entrance

Okay. I know. How can the front of a house be cozy? Hear me out though. Have you ever gone for a walk or for a drive and past a house that just looks cozy? This happens mostly for me in the fall and around Christmas. Seeing a house with pumpkins, mums and a wreath or all decked out in garland and Christmas lights makes me feel warm inside.

Now, my house is nothing spectacular. Inside or out. We love our home because it is ours and because of those who live inside. The outside of our house needs some TLC (aka the front door is still not finished...) and we have a nice list of things to do, but that's what I'm not focusing on right now. Though our house isn't perfect, I still love to make it cozy from the outside in.

One afternoon, I took these supplies,

and turned them into this:

 

 I also added some mums, a crate and a few pumpkins...and a little cutie in blue.

Something simple and free, but it turned a plain front entrance into something a little cozy. See what I mean now? 

This is day 22 of our Getting Cozy series. 

To catch up on the rest of the days, click the button above! 

Front Door Love {After}

It took four days (or four nap times actually), sweat, and me ignoring housework, but the front door is finally finished. And I love it!

The paint colour is Vast Estates by Para Paints. I had toyed with the colour yellow or even blue, but it came down to making a seamless match to our green toned roof. 

Here's the transformation story of this door: 

I used Minwax paint remover, which removed the first layer of paint (latex) beautifully as you can see it bubbling below.

The second layer though, which was oil-based was more of challenge. That is when the sweat broke out. 

I chipped away at it with a scraper and was mostly successful. After a while though, the scraper wasn't it doing it's job anymore and I got out the sander and removed the rest of the paint that way.

(All primed and ready for the green) 

 

As you can see, new hardware has yet to make it on the door. There are a few steps before it gets installed as the previous owners made unnecessary holes in the door. We are tossing the idea around of putting a metal plate behind the door handle to hide some of the holes. We did keep the old deadbolt on the door though so we don't have to worry about people helping themselves to the contents of our home when we're away. :)

Since my favourite part of home decorating shows are the before and afters, here is a good one for you: 

Ahhh...MUCH better! 

The Front Door {Before}

I love our front door. Well...I love the style of our front door, but the peeling paint and broken handle doesn't add to the appeal of the door.

Well that is about to change! Finally. After three years of living here. That's besides the point though. The point is, is that the paint has been bought and this door will be getting a makeover this weekend!

I do have a colour picked out and ready to go, but I thought I would let you guess: green or yellow?

 via: Bippity Boppity Boo, Shelterness, Beautiful Matters, Modern Jane Design