Wall of Doors
I have a thing for front doors. In fact, for me they have the ability to make or break a house. The right color on a door can stop traffic. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but a door in a fabulous color can look great even without a wreath. This is just my humble opinion, of course.
But, when my husband and I went to Europe back in May, I fell in love with the fantastic doors. I know we have great doors in the U.S., too, but there were so many of them, street after street, in Paris and London. I snapped pictures leftandright of the ones I liked the best, knowing that by the time I made it home, I’d figure out a great way to use them. And I think I did.
My plan was to make a collage of my great door photos on this big wall in my entry way.
Because of the height of the ceiling, the wall needed some art that could compete without looking tiny, so this is what I did:
For the past few months since our trip, I’ve been patiently collecting 5×7 frames, scouring the clearance aisles until I finally had the 15 frames I needed for my big idea.
So, I took my collection of random frames, removed the glass out of the ones that had removable glass,andgave them a good spray-over with my favorite metallic gold. (I love this stuff!)
Next, I narrowed down which 15 door photos I would use. This was the hard part, since I had taken about 40 different door pics. Then, we printed them on a big sheet of roll canvas. (Yes, I can do this for you in my shop, too! Contact me for pricing.)
Next, I cut out each pictureandused this spray adhesive to adhere each door over the face of the original glass from each frame. I smoothed them down carefully, then placed the pictures into the correct frame.
After they were all done, I laid the frames out on the floor to determine how I wanted to hang them. Then, I took this picture of the formationandused it as a guide to hang them up.
After they were hung, I had a “Hmmm…What if?” Momentanddecided to add a couple of skeleton keys in the mix as well.
And now, I have art in my entry way. And I have these little pieces of ParisandLondon here at home with me to help me remember…until I go back again.
I’m sharing my new entry way art with some of these crafters!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
September 8, 2010 @ 12:44 am
oh julie, i love this project! what a great way to share some great memories, too!
Amy
September 8, 2010 @ 12:46 am
I love them! They look so nice and the keys were a great idea!
NanaDiana
September 8, 2010 @ 1:05 am
Julie-What a neat idea. I think adding the skeleton keys was the perfect "finish" for the project. Love it-you did good! Diana
kathie
September 8, 2010 @ 1:09 am
What a fabulous idea, and something that is special to you as well! I am so intrigued by the photo-on-canvas printing, I'll have to look into your shop! Your wall looks great & very complete.
valerie
September 8, 2010 @ 1:38 am
love love love this…I also have a thing for doors and I love that you have these memories for you to see all the time each day! I too am interested in the photos on canvas ….and I do like how you mixed all colors and shapes of print and frames with a common theme….thanks for the inspiration.
Tardevil
September 8, 2010 @ 2:14 am
My foyer wall looks almost exactly like yours, except we don't have the grate. The door photos are cool. Love the gold on the frames too.
Sjn
September 8, 2010 @ 2:18 am
That is a very tall wall! I like what you did to bring it down to eye level.
Mel
September 8, 2010 @ 2:19 am
How clever. Love it.
Katy
September 8, 2010 @ 2:40 am
Really cool, I have a thing for small chairs..kid sized and even doll sized. Maybe I should take pics of all of my chairs…. 🙂 very clever
Kelly @ Lucy's Daughter
September 8, 2010 @ 2:58 am
OMG, this is fabulous! I love doors as well. Adding the keys was pure genius!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
September 8, 2010 @ 3:05 am
Now that is so clever. I love this. Your frames are all stunning and all your pics are wonderful. Great collage. Hugs, Marty
Ashley
September 8, 2010 @ 4:17 am
What a neat idea! I love the pictures. It looks great there.
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door
September 8, 2010 @ 4:19 am
This is so cute and clever! Such a unique idea. I love doors, too!
Lindy
September 8, 2010 @ 6:20 am
This is a really unique project! I love your blog and I'm your newest follower!
VICTORIA
September 8, 2010 @ 8:51 am
Very clever and Cool idea!how pretty they are! And the photos on your gallery wall are so Amazing.You are so-smart!!! You are certainly inspirational!LOve your blog!
Laura @ Just For Love
September 8, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
Love the collage! Your photos of all the doors are gorgeous. I especially like all of the vintage looking frames you housed them in. The 2 little keys give it just the right touch too : ) Visiting from WGW at Someday Crafts. Really liked your post! Have a wonderful day : )
Love,
Laura
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
September 8, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
This looks beautiful. The keys are a perfect addition.
Ben and Theresa Q
September 8, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
I love it! I'm OCD about symetry, but I love how you placed the pictures – really makes it artistic!
Chris
September 8, 2010 @ 2:17 pm
What a fun idea. Doors and keys is such a great theme for an entry. Very welcoming.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
September 8, 2010 @ 2:17 pm
These doors are beautiful, Julie, and I love this idea! What a great way for you to not only remember your trip, but to have some unique and creative artwork in your foyer. I'm sure those doors are so eye-catching because they are not mass produced and purchased from Home Depot or Lowes! : ) They have real personality!
Kristi
September 8, 2010 @ 2:27 pm
What a wonderful idea! And your doors are gorgeous! I totally agree with the front door (or doors) say everything 🙂
Kristi
Jen Sue Wild
September 8, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
What a clever idea.. I really like how the framed doors turned out…
JJ
September 8, 2010 @ 3:10 pm
You're the most creative lady on the web- never cease to amaze me!
Chic Creations
September 8, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
OMGosh! What a cleaver idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
thedomesticfringe
September 8, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
Beautiful! I love it. What a great idea.
-FringeGirl
Kristi
September 9, 2010 @ 1:30 am
I love colored doors. I actually surfed etsy last year and bought a few photos of brightly colored doors. I love this idea of yours and I like how you added the keys. Great job!
~ The Speckled Dog
Laura @ House of Thrifty Decor
September 9, 2010 @ 4:26 am
Very pretty. I love all the door pictures. What a great idea.
A. M.
September 9, 2010 @ 4:43 am
Such a great idea! I love door photos!
Katie P
September 9, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
I love how this turned out! I'm a huge fan of the frame collage. I think I'm going to have to start scouring the discount stores for frames, I too have a large wall-space in my house that is in need of something – I think this is just the item!
I love the random old keys smattered throughout too. Fantastic!
Katie P
Food, Wine, & Mod Podge
Sassy Sites!
September 9, 2010 @ 8:13 pm
I would love to have you join me tomorrow over at our Sassy Sites blog party! It's our Feature YOU Friday! Come by and check it out! xoxo
Marni
@ Sassy Sites!
Laurie Jones
September 10, 2010 @ 1:07 am
Very fun and clever, it turned out great!!
Traci
September 10, 2010 @ 2:07 am
I visited Greece last year and the doors – Oh my, those doors! The prettiest colors of blue, and they were all huge. I LOVE what you did with your photos and the keys added such a special touch. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Sixty-Fifth Avenue
September 10, 2010 @ 3:51 am
When I was in Paris a couple years ago, I too loved all the doors and knockers rich with history. Love the way yours came together, perfect!
Londen
lindy@homemadesatisfaction
September 10, 2010 @ 4:14 am
This is fantastic!! I love the doors, they're gorgeous and colorful. I love the gold frames, the look awesome all grouped together like that and the keys is the perfect addition. Love, love, love!
Michelle L.
September 10, 2010 @ 6:12 am
The coolest idea for a foyer ever! I love the touch of the keys mixed in. I always take pictures of doors when traveling, this is great inspiration for me to do something with them.
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House
September 10, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
What an awesome idea! I LOVE it! It looks so perfect in that hallway, too! 🙂
Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat.
September 10, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
Very cool, I really love unique doors as well!
XO
Lenore
Kori
September 10, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
That is absolutely fabulous! I love it!
oops!
September 10, 2010 @ 10:28 pm
You think you have seen it all, and then you see this! Stunning! Love it!
Atticmag
September 10, 2010 @ 10:29 pm
Very decorative and interesting. I bet people stop and really spend time looking at all the doors. Wonderful space-filler, too.
We have the sweetest Roxy bedding giveaway, $100 value and our Giveaway Friday! link up party. Please stop by. Jane F.
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking
September 11, 2010 @ 4:44 am
So cool & original!!! I'm putting it in the PoPP Spotlight!
mapleandmagnolia.com
September 11, 2010 @ 9:54 am
I have a "thing" for doors too. I've taken lots of door photos on our trips to Malta, Rome and Venice. Now I have a wonderful way to display them! Thanks for the idea and inspiration!
dnicolle
September 11, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
I love your doors, and agree with you that in Europe they just do it right. I think the addition of the keys is great. Visiting from http://www.lifeisaparty.ca
Beck's Chic Life
September 11, 2010 @ 8:16 pm
Such a great idea. I love the pictures of the doors, and the entryway is beautiful.
Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden
September 13, 2010 @ 3:35 am
Very clever! It turned out great! Thanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish
September 15, 2010 @ 2:23 am
Love this! I shared it on my Facebook page! 🙂
Kara
September 15, 2010 @ 10:50 am
Great idea! So personal and so clever…love it!
The Penny Parlor
September 15, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
LOVE IT! what a great idea !
Wendy @ The Shabby Nest
September 16, 2010 @ 6:13 am
What a clever idea!!
southerninspiration
September 16, 2010 @ 1:26 pm
Adding in the skeleton keys was BRILLIANT…. I LOVE this!! Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne
April
September 17, 2010 @ 4:18 am
Fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing.
melody-mae
September 23, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
I am visiting from the Shabby Nest blog and have to tell you how much I LOVE this idea…you see we were in Europe for the whole month of August and I have 995 pictures I have just downloaded, and you would not believe how many of them are either DOORS or WINDOWS! I totally agree with you they are so beautiful! We went to London, Brussels, Paris, hateauneuf du Pape, Barcelona, and Italy…so I just might have to copy your idea and make a wall like this since I was wondering what in the world I would do with all my photos!! I also might be emailing you for pricing on the printing idea too!!! So, I guess I am saying I LOVED your idea!!!
Carmie, the Single Nester
September 27, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
I love this! You did a great job!
Jan @ bobbypins boardwalk
October 11, 2010 @ 12:38 am
Hi there! I wanted to let you know that I have featured this post as a "Bookmarked on the Boardwalk" feature. Feel free to stop by, take a look at your project as well as the others, and grab a button!
If you're not a follower of my blog, I would love for you to sign up to follow, as well. Congrats on a fabulous project!
gretmasters
January 12, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
So Kelleigh told me about your blog, i have been checking it out and it has totally inspired me. We are living in Spain/Morocco (too long to explain what that means) as of July. I love the doors in Morocco and for years i have wanted to do something with all those pictures. Just wasn't sure exactly how. So now you have given me the idea, and now after six years of marriage we have finally settled in here and i can finally decorate my house. Thanks for all your ideas, especially this one! Now to find picture frames that don't cost an arm and a leg here.
Kelly @ thelilypadcottage
November 20, 2012 @ 3:51 am
Love this idea, it turned out so beautiful and unique! The addition of the keys was genius 🙂