January 28, 2013
Winter Door Checkup
By Mar Jennings
www.marjennings.com

Happy New Year!  So you ended the year with a fabulous door wreath - now what?  As a designer, clients are always asking for advice on what to do to make their front door more stylish and inviting during the winter months. That said, removing your holiday wreath is always a good start.  Keeping your holiday wreath up past this time should not be an option and/or a solution. You can do better than that.

With no wreath in sight, we can focus on the basics elements of design and function, building on a foundation as well as taking care of the front door.  Only then can we begin to focus on adding decorative items.

First, here are the ground rules I refer to:

Rule #1: Pride in your home starts at the doorstep.

Rule #2: Take ownership, even if you're not the owner. You're paying good money to be there, and that gives you the right to make your recommendations to your landlord and/or apartment super.

Rule #3: Little things make a big difference - so start small and build your confidence.

So how's your door "score"? To make it easy to remember where you have an opportunity (or two), I've created this simple self-test. Give yourself an extra point for each item you can answer "yes" to:

S = Safe and Secure Does the lock work? Can you see through the peephole? Is there enough light to clearly see any steps and/or walkway?

C = Color Although apartment owners or renters may not be able to change the part of the door that is seen from the hallway, is the paint chipped? Do you need to touch-up the paint and trim?

O = Opens easily Have you had to jiggle the key more than 1 out of every 50 times? Have you ever worried you might need to give a hip-check to a swollen doorframe?

R = Ring my bell! Does your doorbell work? Can you hear it throughout the house? Is it still attached to the house? If it's a knocker, is it secured to the door, or does it need a little tightening?

E = Every little detail counts around your entryway. A great knocker, a fabulous wreath or a clear number sign makes your door more inviting and noticeable.

How did you do? If you're feeling a little shut-out (pun intended), here are some other details for which you can give yourself extra credit.

Extra credit for homeowners: Show off the details (hardware, lighting fixtures, architectural styling, etc.). Flower containers, stone statues or other larger decorative accents offer a wonderful element of surprise. Work towards consistency for your home/apartment with your neighbors. Coordinate color maintenance and signage together. Pick a color; if your door lacks a welcome punch, consider a bright inviting color to welcome your guest from afar. Temperatures only need to be above 40 degrees to paint.

Extra credit for apartment or condo dwellers: Owning a home is wonderful, but renting a home or apartment should not mean you have to sacrifice style and design. Adopt a local green space if you do not have your own. The entrance to your building can spill out onto the curb. Why not coordinate with your building and/or neighborhood to do some "green" good? A welcoming welcome mat can keep the dirt out of your home and can also be monogrammed for a sophisticated modern touch.

Take ownership of your entrance as if you were looking at it for the very first time. What you experience may be shocking and inspire you to make a refreshing new change.  Take advantage to upgrade and make new modern changes that will suit your changing home or apartment style.

Once you have done your winter door checkup, it's time to hang something interesting.  Your choices are endless as many off-price stores offer wonderful seasonal choices.  I prefer using an all-natural Grapevine Wreath for its organic color and textures.  In the early spring, I personalize it to reflect the blooms of the season. 

And there you have it.

Mar Jennings is a TV Host, Lifestyle Expert and best-selling author of Life On Mar's, A Four Season Garden, an award-winning deluxe oversized coffee table book that chronicles the evolution of his Westport, Connecticut garden and how he planned it to provide visual interest and beauty through all four seasons.  Discover more about the home and garden world of Mar Jennings at www.marjennings.com. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.

Posted by Staff at 8:25 AM