I don't know how it happened, but out of the blue (pun intended) I painted our front door a bright turquoise. Here's what it looked like before:
Well, I guess I know how. It was almost a turn of events similar to the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" story (that I also mentioned with the post on our master bathroom).
The seeds were planted a few weeks ago. I saw a cute historic home with a similar siding color and a turquoise door. A blogging friend was painting her house a bright shade of blue. And then on Instagram, I saw another blogger who painted her door the bold color.
I looked at our light gray/blue door and my wheels were turning. While getting other supplies (we are ALWAYS at a hardware store) I picked up the paint, and one day after getting the house somewhat clean and the laundry under control, thought "what the hey, why not??"
And I did it.
The color was vibrant and awesome. I've been asked the name of the color almost more times than I've been asked any other questions, it is Valspar's "Rushing Stream". I tried to edit these pictures to get as close as possible to how it really looks.
I freaked out a tad because I both loved it and was scared at how bright it was. I kept going because there was no turning back now. And pretty soon a second coat was up and I was freaking out even more.
The color was great, but what was I, Ann Marie, lover of neutral decor and walls, doing painting my door BRIGHT TURQUOUSE?!?? For all the world and neighbors to see? When there are a bazillion other things I could be doing to improve our house?!
Looking back, maybe I needed it. I needed to take a leap. While we have been tackling projects in the house (see our dining room update and our current laundry room renovation), there is so much I want to do. Add in the fact that we have a new baby coming soon, and I'm wanting to do all the things but not knowing where to start.
Doug went along with it and said nothing, bless him. Because I know he probably hated/hates it, haha. It looked really bright when it first was painted and the grass was all still dead. And err, our Christmas lights were still up. 🙂
Now, it matches the bright landscaping and I'm not freaking out like I was before.
We've got some other projects planned for this area too (including shutters!!!), but I'll share the details of that when they're sooner to actually getting done. Right now, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy this happy-looking turquoise door.
Philip
Hello, I could use some suggestions for a front door color. I am painting the house a beautiful shade called dried Lavender by Sherwin Williams with bright white trim. I am having trouble finding a front door color that would go well the the house color. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch..
Lori
Brenda
i am going for the same look in my house, but I am still deciding on the gray (walls) which color did you use on yours?
Anita Sandal
I think your door looks amazing!!! I have had the notion to do something similar and just had not found the perfect color. For me this is it. Would you mind sharing the color?
Ann Marie Heasley
Yes, absolutely! This is Rushing Spring by Valspar.
Gwen
I love it! The blue is beautiful. 🙂
Carol
Beautiful color, and it really pops! While others may scoff at this project, it is fabulous! If the color makes you feel happy, positive things, go for it! I am having a similar love for all things aqua.
Susanna
This is a very traditional color to paint doors and shutters in the South Carolina lowcountry. If you drive along Highway 17 between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, you'll see many little houses with bright turquoise or aquamarine trim.
There's an interesting story behind this color: long ago, people painted door and window trim sea-blue to keep out the plat-eye, a sort of ghostly monster that supposedly couldn't cross water. I found a description of this story here: http://www.charlestonfootprints.com/charleston-blog/it-aint-haint-or-haint-blue/2012/07/05/
Bethany
I hope those future projects include painting that fence white! It would look great:)
Ann Marie Heasley
they do! I need to go Tom Sawyer style or something and trick some kids into painting it for me. Thanks, Bethany! 🙂
Miss Merry
Gorgeous! I love the bright front door. After about 30 years of a white door on our gray house - I have painted mine the color of pink geraniums. The paint has some other name, but trust me - it is the color of pink geraniums! And I love it! And if we love it, that is what counts!
diane @smartmoneysimplelife
Here's a suggestion for your attraction to bright colours. It's from an observational study of two (you and me). Pregnancy.
We painted our house when I was pregnant and the colour was a lot brighter than I EVER would have chosen at any other time of my life. MUCH brighter... So, maybe its the hormones? 🙂
However, I am a sucker for a splash of colour and the door looks amazing! Plus, now you'll be a landmark. Directions to houses on your street will be: we're three doors down from the house with the turquoise door, or once you see the house with the turquoise door, you're nearly here.
My house is due for a repaint and a change of colour... Now I'm wondering if I can find a way to add a bright splash of colour, too.
Lauren B
Love it!! I painted the inside of our front door a very similar color! We have a two story entry (split level) and the gray walls and gray carpet were pretty, but reading a little boring. The colorful door not only makes me happy every time I pass by, but it's just so cool! Brings a whole new dimension to our house. It's unexpected, but less of a commitment than painting all of my walls that color. Same for your exterior, I suppose. I think it looks great.
Rhonda Merry
I love it too. You have to throw those "want its" in between the "need its" to enjoy having the house, which is why it was purchased in the first place.
Jlynn
I admire your courage, bravery, and your let's-do-itness. I think I would be paralyzed with fear to do that to my own home, but I love how it looks on yours.
KWolff
How fun! It looks fantastic. I have been needing to do a job like this for ever! I find my self repeatedly comparing our house to "If you give a moose a muffin". The to do list seems to overpower the want to list. Maybe I'll get the courage up to do something bold.
Now, let's talk about what it feels like to have laundry under control.... 😉
Ann Marie Heasley
...as I get ready to put down my phone and fold 6 (million) loads of laundry. HA!
Thanks, KWolff! I say go for it, painting the door was about as easy of a project as it gets. Picking the color was the hardest part.
Casey Thrush
Love the color and how bold that is! I have "skipper blue" on my house so I don't know what color I could use as a POP...but I would love one.
Ann Marie Heasley
I just googled and WOW, what a pretty color! Sounds like you have a nice pop on your whole house. 🙂 I am far from an expert but would lean towards oranges, reds, corals. Or maybe even a bold green! Feel free to email me a picture or message me on my Facebook page, if you do want input I'd be happy to post it and crowdsource one for you!
melanie
LOVE it. 😀
Not that you need my approval, but there it is.
Ann Marie Heasley
Actually, I was waiting for it. 😉 Thanks, Melanie!