A Compromise

Traditional Bathroom design by Portland Maine Architect Whitten Architects

In light of my recent post about the trim fiasco that is know as my house right now, I have been searching desperately searching for a solution to the problem. I think I may have found one. He says, "Never in a million years will I LET you paint it all white!" (he's dead serious) I say, "It feels . . . bleh and the base isn't even the same stained color as the door casings and the doors! It looks stupid." Here's what I think now. . .

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DUH!!! Paint the trim and leave the doors stained! I have to admit, the doors in my house are absolutely beautiful!!! It's the trim that gets me. Don't have stained doors? No problem!!! You can always paint. How's this for eye candy in your home!?!

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I think this could possibly solve the problem. It would allow for wood filler on the trim (without having to spend decades of my life sanding and restaining all of the trim and hope it matches the base and doors) and would also allow my wall color to contrast better with the white. (which is what I had in mind when I picked it) It will ALSO give the hubs what he wants by not painting the doors or "all of it." I'm pretty excited to present this idea to the hubs. What do YOU think!?! let me know!

Sliding Barn Doors

Not too long ago, while I was surfing online, I came across something that I knew

 I HAD to HAVE!!! 

It's rustic and charming and Huge! 

Where in the heck am I going to put a 

Sliding Barn Door!?! 

As of today, I live in an apartment and the thought of a sliding barn door in my place is absolutely absurd! Not only is there nowhere to put one, but I highly doubt our complex managers would smile upon the monstrosity of holes that the track would probably put into the walls. 

Fortunately for me. . . The bank just accepted our offer on a house that I have been oogling for the past few months!!! And Fortunately, I have just the place for this beauty in my new house! Well, my almost house. It's not ours until I have the keys in my hand. Any who! Here's what I found.

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

The simplicity of this room is amp'd way up with the addition of the barn doors. They are rustic yet elegant and cozy at the same time. I love the effect they have on this room.

 This Photo is Courtesy of Feldman Architecture

If you want contemporary barn doors it can be done. I know it seems like it wouldn't fit, but look at that. They have managed to make the barn door sleek and almost sexy. 

 Photo Courtesy of The Brooklyn Home Company via Architectural Elements

The contrast of this door to the surround stark white is beautiful! It sticks out life a sore thumb in the best possible way. The juxtaposition of the clean lines and reflective surfaces  of the bathroom play perfectly against the rough unfinished surface of the door. 

 Photo Courtesy of Bestor Architecture via Architectural Elements 

Are the others too plain for you? Vamp it up with a color. Red is very barn-esq and would add a fun element to any room.

Photo Courtesy of Barn Door Hardware

This last one is cozy and just the right amount of rustic to the otherwise contemporary room.

All of these doors are fun and fresh! I can't wait to see what the hubby thinks. Although it will probably be quite a while before he consents to adding one to our home. I guess I'm putting the cart before the horse here, but I can't help it. As I've said before, I love to look up and dream from 

Under My Mulberry Tree.

1917 Door Conversion

I found 2 of these doors online and couldn't help myself. I convinced my husband to take me to pick them up. They were both original doors from a house built in 1917. I could only imagine the possibilities. While surfing in blogland I happened upon a blog with the idea to make a coatrack. (By "happened upon" I mean my friend called and said "Ashley I have the perfect idea!") So I began the hunt for the perfect paper or fabric to cover the panels with. I ended up with this fabric that I found at Hancock in the clearance section! It practically sang to me. I cut the fabric to fit the panels and used modpodge to adhere them to the door.

I found the hooks at Home Depot and screwed those in place after the modpodge was completely dry. To finish off the edge around the fabric I hot glued some decorative rope to cover the edges.

For the finishing touch I attached the original glass knob. Because it was only one sided I used a bit of Gorilla Glue and vooala! My Masterpiece.

I recently finished the 2nd door that I had. I did the same thing with it.