Now that the backdrop is done, I’ve been dreaming about how we can inject some cottage-style personality into our (blank slate, not-quite-finished) stairwell:
(Don’t mind that orange-toned stair tread…that baby will be re-stained a darker, more neutral brown very soon!)
That (currently unpainted) door opens into a hallway that leads back to our bedroom, and I haven’t painted it yet because I’d love to replace it with an old office door. Maybe something like this:
And maybe if I can’t find a door that has frosted glass and lettering already on it, I could add my own to a door like this:
Here’s a photo I put together in Photoshop that shows what that would *sort of* look like:
(Obviously, I would use a different name or phrase on there- ha!)
As you can see, I popped a few other ideas onto the photo as well. I’d love to make the most out of the wall to the left of the door by using some kind of (shallow) cabinet on the floor there, and a (tall) mirror on the wall above it. You can never have too much storage or natural light, right? 😀
Here are a few of the other color combos I played around with in Photoshop last night:
The colors, doors, rug and furniture are all just ideas- not necessarily exact pieces we’ll use in there. I just like to play around with things this way because it helps me narrow my options. For instance, seeing those photos helps me to know that I’m definitely more drawn to using a white cabinet and a colorful door. I wanted to make sure Kevin felt the same way though, so I sat him down in front of this post last night and said, “Scroll.” When he got to the end, I said “which one(s) do you like the best?“. He didn’t have a favorite, (because he was fond of all three) but he was definitely more drawn to the pictures with painted doors. Whew! I love it when we lock in like that! 😀
Anywho, I’m happy to have a (flexible) plan for that spot now. My mission this month: To hunt for an old door that’s the right size for that spot!
PS- If you’d like to check out the footage we filmed while we were working on the backdrop this space, head on over to The Design Network. My third episode is up today, and it’s all about preparing the stairwell and Sweet P’s bedroom for the furniture and fun stuff! 🙂
*Mirror and rug links are affiliate links.
My fave is the green door with the white cabinet.
Oh my gosh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who likes those old business doors! I saw one for an old clock repair shop and I think there was a mail slot in it too and pointed it out to the Mr and he’s like “uhh, we don’t repair watches.” I wanted to give him a firm head smack and say “are you NEW here!?!” I wish I had the room to put it in our place but it sure would look great in yours!
LOL @ are you new here?
You don’t mind if I share that, do you?
I usually say, “Do you even KNOW me?” at times like this!
Steal away! It’s good to keep him on his toes!
You are so funny! (How would your husband like to have a barn full of old doors and windows, from house and businesses! When we bought our old house that was one of the wonderful things we found.)
I would be in heaven going through that stuff!! Sooo cool!
Love the yellow door! We’re building a house right now and I’ve been wanting to do something like this for the door to the pantry. Just haven’t decided what exactly!
What fun ideas! Love!
Love it. My sister was once engaged to a guy named Richard H. Hill 🙂
Loving the vintage door with frosted glass + lettering!
We plan to do something similar with our powder room door.
(Still planning what word/words to use!)
Hello! I just purchased an old office door with frosted glass to use on a track for our master closet. I’d love to put some ‘branding’ on it, whether it’s ‘dressing room’ or something generic and old-fashioned-looking. Just curious – if you do your own lettering, will you hand paint it, use adhesive vinyl, or accomplish it some other way?
You are so talented with Photoshop! I definitely think the green is my favorite!
I LOVE the yellow door! I think it is amazing, so homey and inviting!
I just love your plan for a Business Door–especially the light blue one with the white cabinet and the rug is perfect! Can’t wait to see what you choose to do…
What a fab idea, will bring in more light to the stairwell as well as looking amazing. Have been following this make over and have loved everything you have done.x
I love this idea!! Might want to keep ‘General Manager’ on the door once the little arrives 😀 Love them all, but my favorite is the mock up with the gray console and the wood door.
I really like the first option with the blue door and the white dresser!! Awesome!
I’ thinking Southern Accents has both style doors available. They are in Cullman.
Yes! Lucy (from Southern Accents) is actually on the hunt for us already, too! She helped us find the other old doors we used in Sweet P’s room and we’re always so grateful for her (and Garlan’s) help when it comes to finding the best salvaged stuff! 😀
Wonderful ideas! To add the cottage charm you must have a D&A rug!! Love those! And they have the cutest plaid/check ones. Love the look you’re going for.
Am I correct in thinking the sliding door to the left is the door to your soon-to-be son’s bedroom? So if this is the door to your bedroom you’ll want to keep in mind it will be what he first sees when he comes out of his room and what will represent you. I wonder what his favorite color is? Just something else to throw into the mix!
I love that you included your hubby in the action! I did some inspiration boards when we started desigining the layout and look of our first home, and it was so helpful to know when we were on the same page and when I needed to adjust (or he needed to trust). And he totally helped me think about scale…which wasn’t on my radar, but would’ve been a problem reeeeal quick when that giant fab sofa took up half the room. Haha. And I’m partical to the green door. 😉
would that green cabinet be too much with the pale blue door? (am i color crazy today?)
that old richard hill office door is spectacular. totally in love with it. thanks for making me want to replace all my doors!
🙂
I love old doors like the ones you picture – they make me long to see what is on the other side 🙂 Your ideas are the best !
I personally love the yellow door…..it’s so cottage style—–looks good
Love this look! I think the old office type doors are amazing! That would be a perfect place for one right at the top of your stairway. Can’t wait to see the finished project when you find one!
The light blue/gray door is almost the exact same door that I have on my studio! I have never seen another one like it! Love it!
Like them all but the yellow door I love!!
I love the green cabinet! It just pops! Love your ideas and your site.
I am working on our staircase now as well. The stairs themselves & the walls. I am hoping to tear up the carpet, re-stain & maybe paint the risers a pop-py color. I love the second version you showed for your landing.
Come on by … I have a wonderful handmade necklace up for grabs now. Made by my dear friend & artist, Jill Fagin.
Good luck with the stair landing!
Love the white cabinet with the green cabinet. Check Joss and Main for the cabinet. I found a couple that are similar that we’re only 12-13 inches deep. Good luck.
White cabinet with the green door. Gosh, think I should check before I hit post.
I love your ideas, they certainly get the inspiration juices flowing. I would not have thought about the old door, but I believe I will now be looking for one!
They are all adorable…you are so gifted! My favs are the peaceful pale blue and the cute green…but then again the yellow is just so cheery!! So fun that little hands will soon be turning the doorknob : )
I love your ideas! and a more decorative door would look amazing! I also like the idea of the narrow little cabinet with mirror in the landing area as well. perfect!!
I wish I could hire you to come to our house and help me with ideas!! I love everything you put together!
I loved them all but my definite favorite is the yellow door. I don’t know if it was the color, or the clear glass with the white sheer behind. But it made me say, “Yes.”
I think it would be GREAT fun to paint the step risers the same accent color you use on the hall table or door…..which I hope is the ornate one.
I love the colored door too! I think the curtains in the yellow door are great, but I am definitely more partial to the green!
Layla, I loved when you showed the door as green and the cabinet a version of white! How fun would that be at the top of the stairs???? I love how it’s all turning out for you . . . . The video was FABULOUS today! I will go back on and like . . . Didn’t have time earlier . . . Stay well you two! 🙂
Thank you so much, Donna! I love the green door/white cabinet, too! I guess we’ll just see what kinds of doors I can find and go from there! Thanks for swinging by today…and for the compliment on the video, too! 🙂
LOVE the blue door, but whatever you go with will be great! 🙂
rgh is the one….I vote for. More impact if that is what you need in the spot. Love the door and the charcoal accent with it,,,,until you decide to change, again. Smiles
I love the idea! I wanted to do this for our laundry room but was never able to find the right size and we had plenty of other things to tackle. But oh how I love it!
Layla,
I love the video! Seeing all of the elements come together is awesome! I loved getting to see Kit Cat and Max in the video too. Hearing your voice is so sweet. It makes me read your words in your beautiful accent now. Thanks for sharing! Keep up the great job!
Thank you, Dawn! I am dying to know what kind of accent I have! 😀 Are you hearing Northern, or Southern?
I hear southern for sure! I am from Missouri and I am told that I have slight southern sounding accent. To my ears you sound truly southern and I love it!
Love reading your blog!! Great pictures! What about trying the grey cabinet with a green door?
My favorite was the dark door and grey dresser. They set the backdrop for bright accessories that can be changed by season. Of course after Sweet P starts walking (if not already) things on top of the dresser will probably disappear for awhile. I found it easier to store breakables and then bring them back out when our daughter was older than to constantly have to worry or say “don’t touch.”
Hi Kate! Sweet P is actually going on 3 this year, so he’s toddling around down there like a busy little bee! 😀 We’re hoping to use a cabinet that is tall enough to keep things out of reach there, but we’ll definitely display non-breakable there next year- LOL! 😀
I love how you use photoshop to put everything together. I have a hard time visualizing things and love how you can create your room right on the computer! I love the yellow door. You have inspired me to try something like it when we redo our home. I actually really like the green cabinet too and may mix that with the yellow door. Thanks for the inspiration!
my fave is the first pic .. love the yellow door too but might be a bit bright
All great ideas, but I like the stained door with the white or grey cabinet …
With a wee one soon to come, I am interested to see how you deal with “kiddie gates”.
Isn’t planning and dreaming half or more than half the fun?!! I don’t think I’ve ever done much of that inside my home but I have with my yard…but I love all your ideas and so do not be influenced by my story but it shows the power of color for-ev-ER…I’m scrolling through your ideas and up came the green door and I immediately thought Dentist. Did my childhood dentist have a green door like that? Probably!! It was long ago and he was quite old, near the end of his practice so I’m sure his door would now be 100 years old if it were still there!!! It’s funny that I kind of jumped and shook my head to the green door but I’m sure, I’m doubly sure, absolutely no one has ever had a dentist with a green door like that so you’ll look hip and in style and no one will think dentist chair I’m 100% positive!!! Now may you have great fun finding the door!!! It’s a clever and fun thing to put there!!!!
I love it!
Can I just say you are amazing? Really. Love them all.
Hi Layla! My friend, you need a bicycle wheel table for that spot. (Check out mine!). I’m loving all of the door ideas, especially the first two. 🙂
I love the pale blue door myself. You are so clever!
When i got to the white cabinet with the yellow door it said yes yes this is the one.