Interior Obsessions – the Entry Door

The entry door is the first thing your guest sees upon entering your home, and the last thing they see as they leave. It can be unobtrusive, memorable, subdued, bright, or anything in between. When I design a new home, the path to the entry is always of primary importance, but the door itself can make all the difference.

Perhaps you have a tight entry area. You might want to open it up with glass going wall to wall, either with a storefront system for a modern structure, or a thick-framed french door for one that is more traditional. You can pick clear glass, or for privacy choose a translucent material, either sandblasted or laminated. If you have lots of glass in the rest of your home, perhaps a really thick solid door is the answer for you, especially if you have a larger entry with sidelights or a glass transom above. An oversized opening? Try a pivot door! These are statement pieces, and scale the opening down just a little because when open, they hinge slightly in from the outside edge of the door, typically about 6-9 inches. And don’t be afraid of color! A bright shade can liven up a monotone house, both from the inside and outside, and works great for both modern and traditional settings.

(above) Industrial Plywood

Modern Thick Slab

Blue Traditional + Green Mid-Century

Dutch Door + Steel Glass

Oversize Pivot

What does your entry need to step it up a notch?

Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry, and by day designs custom homes for a small firm in Southern California. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.