October 28, 2013 /

A Front Door Refresh, And One Of My Favorite Tools

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My front door had seen better days—and not in a charming, rustic way. It had become the kind of spooky you wouldn’t want greeting guests, and definitely not the intentional, fun, Halloween-kind of spooky. Even our oversized furry companion, who sometimes tried to look intimidating, couldn’t distract from the disrepair.

From a distance, the entryway looked passable. But up close? It was a different story. The weathered details, peeling paint, and old fixtures revealed an entryway that had been neglected for far too long. It wasn’t out of laziness; we had ambitious plans for a complete overhaul of the space. (You can read more about those plans in my post about adding curb appeal to our home.) However, life happened. Other projects claimed the budget, unexpected expenses cropped up, and of course, we prioritized family adventures when we could. This left the front entry at the bottom of the to-do list and sadly looking more like a scene out of Sanford & Son with every passing year.

The Starting Point

When we purchased the house, the front entry was unremarkable—just a typical colonial-style door with a dated pineapple pediment. The poured concrete steps were bland, the wrought iron railing was rusting, and the storm door? It was a disaster—broken, barely functional, and hanging ajar like a haunted house prop.

For the first few years, I distracted from the eyesore by adding a pop of color to the front door. Bright paint can work wonders for drawing attention away from flaws. It worked—until visitors actually walked up the steps and had to contend with the storm door.

Imagine the scene: “Hi! Welcome to our house! Hold on while I jiggle and bang this door open for you!” It was embarrassing and exhausting. Finally, one day, I had enough. With a burst of determination, I enlisted my son to help me remove the storm door. What was left behind was less than ideal—a frame full of glue residue and visible holes.

The Quick Fix with a Big Impact

What was next? I needed a solution that was affordable and relatively easy to tackle since the whole entry was slated for a future renovation. A trip to the hardware store sparked an idea: lattice. It was lightweight, inexpensive, and perfect for a novice DIYer. Armed with a palm sander, I removed as much glue as possible from the existing trim and covered it with lattice that I mitered to fit. A little wood glue, a few finish nails, and a fresh coat of white paint transformed the trim into something crisp and clean.

My fuzzy-headed helper was indispensable, assisting me every step of the way. This small change made the front door area look exponentially better—almost like it belonged to a different house.

The Tool That Changed Everything

Here’s the game-changer: If you’re embarking on home renovations, invest in a paint sprayer. Trust me on this one. After three years of painstakingly painting every wall, door, and surface with brushes and rollers, I finally took the plunge and bought a paint sprayer. Let me tell you, it’s now one of my all-time favorite tools.

I purchased a budget-friendly model for about $120, and it has been worth every penny. The learning curve was manageable, and once I got the hang of it, the sprayer transformed my approach to painting projects. This is not a sponsored post; I just wish someone had told me how much easier this tool could make DIY life.

Since buying the sprayer, I’ve tackled a slew of projects: staining the deck and railings, painting garage doors and trim, and reviving old furniture like my trusty bar cart. It’s not suitable for every project—sometimes a brush is still the best choice—but for specific tasks, it’s a lifesaver. Here are some examples where a sprayer excels:

  • Stair spindles: Painting these by hand is pure torture. I regret not having my sprayer when I renovated our staircase. (PS you can see my stair reno here.)
  • Furniture with intricate details: Chairs with spindles, wicker, or other hard-to-reach areas are a breeze with a sprayer.
  • Cabinets: Achieve a flawless finish with minimal effort.
  • Brick and paneling: The sprayer makes quick work of nooks, crannies, and grooves. Wish I had my sprayer when I did my mom’s basement!

Refreshing the Front Door

Naturally, I turned to my new favorite tool for the front door. With a Saint Bernard in the family, our door takes a beating and needs regular touch-ups. While I usually do quick paint jobs once or twice a year, this time the door needed a full refresh.

Using the sprayer, I prepped by thinning water-based paint to the required consistency. Thin coats are key, and the quick-drying nature of the paint allowed me to apply two coats in no time. The result? A perfectly smooth finish with no brush strokes and minimal drips—a far cry from the laborious, imperfect results of hand-painting.

Pro Tips for Using a Paint Sprayer

Preparation is everything when using a paint sprayer. I covered the hardware—like our whale’s tail door knocker—with tinfoil and painters tape. This trick worked beautifully and looked oddly fitting for Halloween! For the door handle and plate, I used a razor to cut the tape for a precise fit and protected the trim with newspaper.

The sprayer’s controlled spray pattern minimized overspray, but proper masking ensured a professional look. Once everything was covered, the sprayer made quick work of the door, transforming it into a sleek and inviting entrance.

The front entry now feels fresh and welcoming. Sure, one of the railings is still missing, as I removed it during the storm door debacle. Its rusty twin is still holding on, much to my dismay. But overall, this quick refresh has given me a newfound appreciation for our front entry, even if the grand renovation is still a ways off.

Who knows? Maybe this small improvement will buy us enough time to redirect our “front door fund” to something more exciting—like a family trip to a dreamy destination. Because, let’s be honest, a beautiful vacation beats a beautiful door any day, right?

In the meantime, I’ll continue tackling projects and sharing tips to help you transform your own spaces. And speaking of projects, I’ll be back tomorrow to reveal a charming furniture piece that got a second chance thanks to my trusty paint sprayer.

Thanks for stopping by, friends! If you’re looking for more inspiration, head over to Marty’s Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life. You’ll find plenty of creative ideas to spark your next project. Have a wonderful day!

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