Jo recently completed a major interior design project at a large townhouse opposite Balmoral Beach on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, with very impressive entrance doors. What led her to create such a memorable entrance?
THE ENTRANCE IS VERY MEMORABLE
The entrance to this property is in a side street and demanded to be a statement door, setting it apart from the average doors and entries. The concept for the design emerged from a sense of grandeur providing texture, light and colour. The entrance has balconies above which provided cover but reduced the amount of natural light, therefore the design of this entrance door needed to include glass but also had to be designed in such a way to ensure privacy. With this particular interior design project in Balmoral the addition of aged brass to the French doors gave texture and an antique lean. Painting the door required careful thinking, as being so close to the ocean getting optimum drying conditions is difficult which would compromise the recommended gloss finish. With clever additions to the paint base we were able to achieve a beautiful finish in Dulux Poor Knights making a fresh contrast to the external Resene Half White Pointer colour.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ENTRANCE DOOR FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS?
When renovating the exterior of a house, or selecting for a new home the front door to the homeowner may not be the top priority, with so many other outdoor elements to think about like landscaping, walkways and lighting. For me, exuberant entryways that reflect the owners’ style make the case for a standout design element that visitors will enjoy before they even enter the home. Consider your entrance door as a reflection of your interior design journey. First impressions are important and can set a tone for the interior about to be experienced. Find front door ideas that you connect with as well as work with the style of the home to help set your entrance apart.
WHAT ELEMENTS OF AN ENTRANCE DOOR SHOULD HOMEOWNERS CONTEMPLATE WHEN PLANNING A RENOVATION OR NEW HOME BUILD?
Ensure the elements include important functions like ease of opening, large pull handles, doorbell or knocker. Do you need glass for light? Consider privacy – frosted or tinted glass are options. French double doors or a large glass pivoting door give a grander entrance (also good for getting furniture in and out). Don’t forget you can add character to your door frame with decorative tiles or pressed metals. Play with scale and asymmetry; add an awning for shade and weather protection; frame your door with hedges, topiaries or greenery as plants add a natural accent contrast; install a water feature nearby; subtle and dramatic lighting adds character. Images really help an interior designer get inside your head and come up with design solutions that are ‘in tune’ with you. Consider the journey to the front door to set the scene, ensure the path, plants, lights are all in synchronicity with the front door.
WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL FOR A FRONT DOOR?
That really is a matter of personal taste and what works with the style and materials of the exterior and interior. Solid timber, metal paint finishes (Axolotyl), large glass panels, use of ironwork all make great materials for entrance doors. Antique doors in the right building look fantastic, especially if other reclaimed building materials like timber and brickwork are also used around the door. I always remind clients that an entrance door also has a security function so consider including a secondary security and flyscreen door. There are so many choices of architectural hardware that function and aesthetics can be complementary.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOUR?
Timbers and metal finishes provide their own colour. Some owners have favourite colours that wouldn’t suit an entire exterior and the door is the place to load their personality without overwhelming the streetscape. Colour experts Pantone did some research into what a colour of a door says about its owners (see link below) They looked into the psychological associations between door colour and the impression it gives visitors about the kind of person you are. For example black can give an imposing first impression that suggests power and prestige: navy is authoritative and trustworthy, pink denotes youthful and spirited. Apart from colour you can add layers of personality by adding patina, gloss paint and warm wood accents. View your door as an architectural artwork and you can start to realise the possibilities are endless.
Find out more about the Balmoral interior design project and other interior design services at www.jotaylor.com.au
Balmoral project – further information https: //www.jotaylor.com.au/portfolio/balmoral/
Pantone ‘colour and your front door’ https://homes.nine.com.au/do-it-yourself/what-the-colour-of-your-front-door-saysabout-your-personality/976139e7-1839-46e9-a7ca-0d9790fc5b64