Front Entrance Make-Over

Our kids were away to camp last week and my hubby and I were on a mission to get as many projects done as possible.  I worked on my closet make-over as well as a some other smaller projects.  My husband cut, fit and installed 2 antique doors that we bought.

Our home is an Arts and Crafts style home that was built in 1921.  When we purchased the home there was an aluminum screen door on the front which we both hated.  Well, we finally found a door (at The Old House Revival Company) that would fit the oversized opening and my husband installed it.  He sanded it roughly, but we really wanted it to show all of its age and wear, so I just stained over what wasn't sanded off.  We love the finished product and the "slam" of the wood on wood when the door closes takes you back in time.

BEFORE:  with the old aluminum door

AFTER:  with the old screen door we installed

We also have this crazy alcove in our front entry.  The space isn't deep enough to install a closet and did not have a door.  We put hooks up to accommodate the coats, but it was always an eye-sore and over-loaded with backpacks, hats/mittens, etc.  We finally found a door on Kijiji that only needed to be trimmed down slightly to fit the space.  It was quite a bit of work to sand and stain it, but I think the finished result is good.  We are still not sure about the "tin tiles" on the glass.  We may remove them and just leave the existing bevelled glass panes exposed.  The tiles were made using aluminum foil baking sheets and the idea was taken/modified from one I saw on pinterest at http://suzyssitcom.com/2012/06/feature-friday-faux-tin-tiles-tutorial.html

BEFORE:  open alcove with exposed coat storage (this actually looks better than usual as the kids are away at camp and clutter is to a minimum this week!!)

AFTER:  door installed with faux tiles on window panes

Jury is still out on the tiles!

Here is a close-up of the tile.  Once all 9 were made, I distressed them using a combination of brown and white shoe polish.