Grove House: Making an Entrance
I’m so excited to begin sharing my design process for Grove House. We’ve spent the better part of the last few months working on the layout and design of the home, and all those little details that will make it our own. One of those details, high on my list, was a Dutch door.
And the best part is, we will be installing 2 of them. One at the main entrance of the house, and one at the entrance of my new studio. Both will be the same shaker style, with a window on top, and painted gloss black. The main entrance door will also have windows flanking both sides to allow for extra light. And the studio door will stand on it’s own.
The door decision has been the easiest by far, as I’ve always thought they were so welcoming and charming. Plus, with the warm weather we have here in California, I’m sure they will be open often, to allow a nice scented breeze of orange blossoms in.
Do any of you have a Dutch door? Or wanted one? Would love to hear your thoughts.
I can’t wait to welcome guests into our home and studio through them!
Images: (a.) Skonahem (b.) Classic Casual Home (c.) Traditional Home
35 Responses to “Grove House: Making an Entrance”
Ah! I grew up with dutch doors. I grew up in California! Now, in Vermont, give me screens in the summer and beautiful glass storm doors that let in the light for the rest of the year!
Your comment reminds me of screen doors too! We had one when I was growing up on our back porch and I remember fondly, that clap, clapping sound of it shutting. Ah, the memories. Thanks Katy! I bet those glass storm doors come in handy during your cold winter months!
I seriously need to purchase a plane ticket and come visit you when this house is done! 🙂
Haha! I’ll need to throw a big party once we’re done. Maybe by Christmas…
We had a dutch door on our kitchen back porch in Texas. The top was almost always open. Seeing pictures of them now makes me smile.
Sounds so charming to have one on the back porch! They make me smile too. 🙂
We bought our front door first too! Our front doors are from a 1880’s brownstone from Boston. My dad took one door I took the other and we stripped off 8 colors of paint off those doors!! Even before our house plans were finished we had all our old doors bought for our “new” house. Wish I had a dutch door somewhere in the house I love the look!! I can’t wait to watch the process on your house! It will be amazing I just know it!!Your style is fantastic.
All antique doors…I envy you! I bet they look amazing!
Hi Heather,
Oh, I love dutch doors and it sounds like the perfect touch to had here in California… My Uncle has a beautiful home in Pasadena with two dutch doors, one in the kitchen and one in the downstairs library as he built them himself and they are so unique and beautiful as it truly adds such a perfect addition to his home…. I’m happy for you and excited to see what features you two add along the way…
Warm regards,
Karla
Thanks Karla. Your uncle’s home sounds like a lovely place. Pasadena is a dreamy town with it’s old homes, and big trees…such a beautiful place to live. Oh, plus their killer flea market!
I love Dutch doors! I would love to just saw mine in 1/2! They are gorgeous and so functional!
Susan
I’ve seen a few DIY’s on Pinterest you might want to check out!
Heather I ♥♥♥ dutch doors and what a perfect choice for your project! They look so wonderful when painted gloss black. What a lucky girl you are to have TWO!
Kathysue
Thanks Kathy Sue! I adore them as well!
I have always wondered ….don’t you get unwanted guests (birds, bees, etc) with doors open? I would be afraid! But I love having my screen on and windows open! ~Kim
Not worried about a little nature coming in for a visit every now and again! 😉
On a recent trip to Carmel, CA; I found myself in Dutch door heaven. So many of the shops, restaurants and galleries sported the most unique and beautiful Dutch doors I’d ever seen. It was like walking through a fairy tale 🙂 …… a fairy tale with excellent fish and chips 😉
Carmel has a ton of Dutch doors! Another area is anywhere near the beaches in Southern California. They are rather quaint and fairy tale-ish!
Heather,
We have been looking for months for the perfect Dutch door. Do you think the last door in the photos is vintage? Have you found any that look like that? I love everything about it. Don’t make me come to your house and look at your house plans. Don’t make me:-)
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I do think that last door photo is a vintage one. We’re having ours custom made, but TM Cobb has a great selection of Dutch doors and you can order them through Lowes and Home Depot. We’re using a local company to do all our doors and windows since I wanted a very clean, simple style.
Good luck on your hunt…hope you find one you love!
My husband was thinking we would have to have a custom one made. I will look at the TM Cobb doors first. Thanks for the suggestion and I can’t wait to see all of your little details!
I love dutch doors, but unfortunately they are not very practical here in Texas. Also, my hens might get the wrong idea and think they were being welcomed inside… yours might think the same!
Luckily, the “girls” won’t have access to either, the front or studio doors. But then again, there will be 3 sets of French doors I’m sure they will mosey in and out of. 😉
Heather, I adore the Dutch doors!!! I always love your style and if the entrance to the Grove House is any indication of what the rest looks like, I’m sure it is breathtaking!!!
Me too, Robyn! Thanks for the sweet comment…now I’m off to check out your blog. Add a Pinch sounds intriguing!
How perfect! It adds a beautiful touch to a classic country elegance. I love it! The color is beautiful too against the white of the house with the stunning urns on each side. So excited for you.
Lisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com
I have loved dutch doors since Ozzie and Harriet and Father Knows Best. They are so welcoming and they make me happy. I have “installing dutch doors” on my honey do list! Thank you for all the hard work and the exquisite detail you put into everything you do. I have fond memories of your garden shop in the Canyon Crest Center. All the best to you.
Oh! I love Dutch doors! I would love to have one! Actually, I did a post on it once awhile ago! I am so excited to see every little detail you choose! I just know it will be wonderful!
I’ve never had a dutch door but I love the second picture showing it opened. I grew up with screen doors and I too remember the “clapping sound of it being closed”. Yes, fond memories indeed.:)
Heather,
I love Dutch doors and have 2 myself. Southern California affords us the weather to have them open often. The images you’ve posted are great examples of the doors charm.
Karen
Heather, I’ve been behind in my reading and just now catching up on all my favorite blogs. I’m so excited for you and your Grove House. I’m looking forward to seeing the progression. I know it will be quite a journey. And how fun to be amongst all those lovely orange trees!!!!
Hi Heather,
Love reading your blog it always inspires me,can’t wait to see your new home and studio it will be Amazing I’m sure…We do have a Dutch door and it is the best I love walking by and seeing the children playing outside and the breeze that blows in..You will love love your doors….
E.M.
Heather I love mine. We have one for the entrance in the guest house and one is our front door. They really make me happy. They remind me of back home looking out of a balcony. I keep half open during the day for just the perfect breeze.
Hi Heather,
I have been admiring the handywork of THE MAN and came across this. Love the Dutch Doors but here in Oz we need maxi fly screens. The flies here will carry you off! If they don’t then the mozzies will. 🙂
`what a trip…I just posted a long post on dutch doors….I remember you telling me you were looking for one a few years ago. I can’t wait to see your new home and your journey along the way building it…i’d post my link but some reason my right clicker is not working.
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