I’ve been decorating and DIYing for a little over a decade now and the one thing that still surprises me sometimes is how much impact a simple paint job and a hardware switch can have on a space. Two little things that take up a pretty short amount of time and effort can equal a pretty big wow factor, no?
Case in point: I had big plans for this pantry door in our kitchen.
At first, I was going to add molding to it. But then, Grunt Labor and I couldn’t really settle on a design for the molding because the door was so narrow. Plan B: I turned to my old standby of paint and painter’s tape. I was going to paint an elaborately patterned door that would no doubt be a showstopper. The whole thing would be topped off with a pretty new doorknob.
I took off the old doorknob and got to work. I painted two coats of black paint on the door and let it dry overnight.
The next morning, I sat at the breakfast table and stared at the pantry door.
It looked pretty darn good just being black with all the white molding around it. I contemplated leaving it black and just switching out the doorknob. But then, the over-achiever in me proclaimed that I had to give the door some more wow factor.
I mapped out the design. I measured and taped and measured and taped some more. I painted on the contrasting color that would create the pattern.
Then I pulled off the tape and hated the way it looked.
And that was when I realized that the over-achiever in me had been wrong. Sometimes, all you do really need is a simple coat of paint and a pretty new doorknob.
The black on the door tied in perfectly with the cabinets and the new Schlage® doorknob was the icing on the cake. Schlage recently launched a campaign, “Open Possibilities,” to bring door hardware to the forefront as an accessory that can complete or enhance the look of any room.
Shockingly, sometimes pretty things really do just take a small amount of investment, but give a big return. No elaborate designs needed. 😉
The doorknob is a Schlage® Accent Lever with Camelot Trim in Satin Brass.
The doorknob has a touch of Hollywood Regency glamour, which goes nicely with the rest of the kitchen and much of the house as well. The knobs pop perfectly against the black and I love the lower sheen the satin brass has. These babies are going to end up on the rest of our doors, to tie more of the whole house together. I’m thinking the hallway doors might get the black paint treatment, too.
To get more information on Schlage’s® new line of door knobs and finishes, visit their website here. Schlage products are also available online at Amazon and Build. You can find them at Home Depot and Lowe’s as well. Or you can join the conversation online: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
When’s the last time you upgraded your door knobs? Do you see any satin brass knobs channeling the Hollywood Regency style in your future?
Elaborate door designs not necessary. 😉
*This post is sponsored by Schlage®, however all opinions and over-thinking design ideas are 100% mine.
Marty Oravetz says
Wow, the new door knob really does make a difference. Love it.
Jenna says
I think so too! Thanks, Marty!
Anne Coles says
I’m disappointed. I wanted to see it all. We all fail at times and we learn from that. Why can’t we see what didn’t make it. We all have them, you know. You make wonderful designs and would have enjoyed seeing it. New handle is lovely!
Jenna says
I’m sorry, Anne! I didn’t even think to take a picture of the screw-up! I’ll try my best to remember for the next screw-up – I guarantee there will be plenty more! haha!
Jane Stein says
LOVE THE DOOR! Excited to see a picture of every door that you paint and change knobs!
Jenna says
Thanks so much, Jane!
Patty says
Haha you crack me up, I just love it when I see other people make the same mistakes I make. I can’t tell you how many times I have done this very thing, only to realize it was so much better with just a coat of paint, you would think at my age I would learn, but noooo I just keep doing it, a door here a wall there. Let’s face it that old saying still holds true nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Just think what your house would look like if you didn’t have the guts to do the painting you have done(boring) and that just isn’t you. Love the doorknob it really stands out against the black door, gorgeous.
Jenna says
Girl, I don’t know if we’re ever going to learn! hahahaha!!!! The end result was good though – glad you like it too!
Marie Bush says
Love it…I will be doing this project
Marie
Jenna says
Thanks, Marie! So glad you like it!
Susan the Farm Quilter says
I’m with Anne – wondering what pattern you would choose to paint on that door!!! *sigh* next time! I love the black with that new handle – never seen the low-sheen and I love it!
Jenna says
Sorry, Susan! It was going to be two diamonds intersecting vertically – and I think that pattern would be really pretty on a door, just not one so narrow! Maybe I’ll try it on another door!
Sharon H says
Wow, Jenna……let me add my two cents worth too. I am glad you went with the black, and the white trim. Gorgeous in itself, but love that door handle! It is the icing on the cake, or the pearls on the little black dress. Perfectly understated elegance. Nice job.
Jenna says
Thanks, Sharon! I like that description of “perfectly understated elegance” – I don’t think anyone has ever used elegance in describing something I’ve done, so I’m going to hang on to that one when someone calls me tacky! haha!
Madeline says
Most of my attempts are fails. I would’ve loved to have seen yours! failures bring success but damn they are frustrating
Jenna says
I’m so sorry I didn’t take a picture of the fail, Madeline! I promise to next time! Just know they happen all the time around here!
Amy Anderson says
It’s great! I love the makeover – and I love black doors!
Jenna says
Thanks, Amy! Me too!
Pam S says
Wow! That is one pretty piece of door jewelry!! And I think you’re spot on with the black door. Kitchens can be so busy anyway ~ just need a nice calm, but gorgeous door 🙂
-side note: While you were having some time off (missed you!), we bought a new to us house and have been moving into it and moving my Mom in with us all at the same time (and they say we don’t know how to have a good time!!). So I no longer have my beloved 70’s pad. Got updated to a lovely 2010, It’s going to be hard to inflict my weird DIY style. But at some point it’s bound to happen!! LOL
Jenna says
Say what?! That’s awesome, Pam!!! I know you are going to rock that new place! Congratulations!
Dana says
Thank you again for “opening our eyes” to a new idea! Love the black door and the new hardware.
Jenna says
So glad you like it, Dana! It was such an easy update!
Laurie says
Truly does have impact. Love the change! Thanks for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle. Pinning to share.
Jenna says
Thanks, Laurie!
Mother of 3 says
I have been wanting to paint all of our interior doors black but was warned that it would take a ton of coats on each one to cover the shiny white paint that is on them now. Did you find it hard to get a nice even coat of black paint over the white?
Jenna says
For me, it just took two coats of the black! Use good paint – I think that’s a key!
Jessica says
Isn’t it crazy what a change doorknobs make?! When we moved into our new house, my husband changed every doorknob and it made a huge difference. Getting the ugly old brass out made a huge difference!
Visiting from Create & Crave!
Jenna says
They do make a huge difference with little effort!
Melissa Ruddy says
The transformation is striking. It is really amazing how a more dramatic color and an elegant doorknob really change the whole look. Great idea.
Jenna says
Isn’t it crazy?! Thanks!
Anna says
Wow this turned out so cool! What an easy way to add a little style to a lame door. I need to find a door to do this to now. Maybe our pantry!
Jenna says
Thanks, Anna!
Lori says
Nice change. Isn’t it funny how brass is coming back? Even if it is in a brushed satin… 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It! 🙂
Jenna says
I know, right?! I love how it’s making a comeback!
Mary Beth says
That lock is absolutely beautiful! I have Schlage locks on my front door and love them. I think I need to consider them for my inner doors, now.
Jenna says
Thank you, Mary Beth! I think it’s gorgeous too!
Angie ~ ambient wares says
Great idea! It’s funny, I’m looking at a couple of doors right now thinking about how every single door inside the house has the same knob and now I’m bored with them 😉 Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
Jenna says
haha!! Switch ’em up, Angie!
Jen says
What black paint did you use?