The bathroom door in our bedroom was worn, plain and uninspiring. It certainly didn't fit our beach cottage home.
So we got creative and added a new door with style.
And now our bathroom and bedroom are a cottage style dream.
![Bathroom Door Before And After Bathroom Door Before And After](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiReFT3jTnbJpoT6sr70wP37tPMXSjYex9ZrLngnHMHA6EvJYnpooQF8s8FGyIG_wR-D2ILuK8I_gUQXk-5drNi3Chd7Owi1O-KYryUEPLE5m3AIWMa-qg2diq5lQ_C6-5GwkryPPc-3AglU2nE3AFgSytYO2gxIFPkMgqbT5zmS-CRyQVxHZnpOqSCHM/s16000-rw/Bathroom%20Before%20And%20After.jpg)
Earlier this year, on a cold, gray February day, we finally began working on one of my dream DIY projects.
Ok, well that's not entirely true.
What I should say is that's the day we bought the supplies for a long awaited renovation.
![Jeld-Wen Wooden French Panel Door Jeld-Wen Wooden French Panel Door against the wall](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzo98pl-l5MzERVQiKSGEUjnu_Ix1ZgdRgJQszd5R1bwFdtijCB2jOYHGgx4enMKYOetVzNoSNPvyvznffMLlfn_gQZqOL4KYXpBNbb4W5FVvzkOHpL_LueAAg2MRwEeVorGMf6gusJkYBiJmbHg6AxPYp70HBhQ-7HL6sDy_MFPD-FYKu5aQnARkjjQ/s16000-rw/Jeld-Wen%20Wooden%20French%20Panel%20Door.jpg)
And I do mean long awaited.
You see, before that day there were several years of me mentioning, over and over again, to my husband {and super handy handyman} how we needed a new door for our ensuite bathroom.
Then once the door was in the house, it took me another several months of not so subtle suggestions like - Hey, you know what today might be a great day for? - to actually get it started.
My husband always says the reason most of my crazy design plans get done around here is because I can talk about them a lot longer than he can stand to listen to them.
Funny guy.
But frankly, I don't blame him.
This house was built in the 1920's...before building codes and apparently without a level. Nothing in our cottage is straight.
Which is super charming from a decorating standpoint.
And an absolute nightmare from a construction one.
![Adding A Charming Bathroom Door Adding A Charming Bathroom Door](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FJXf70Li9gdWwTz0uOpysNYmXyPQiTT3EhqWf9m6HVXMXs0Bp3kU108pizFyJfIwztjpn9xgE-DP6F9dJl_Xs83hLzmVCvtf4RA8Qt16892b_9KGaM2G5AExj57cf6z9B0YrZnccxvjFV28Z-QhlCaYAidmnRE9cHZiFbeLEcgc7AXHSmAn7gSsvMaQ/s16000-rw/Adding%20A%20Charming%20Bathroom%20Door%20.jpg)
We learned long ago that what would be a very quick and easy job in any other home takes hours and tons of wrestling to accomplish it around here.
This door was no exception.
I've mentioned in several posts, over the past few months, that the project was almost done, but man, it was not easy.
The story behind this door and my desire to change it is a simple one. The original door, installed in the 1960's when our bedroom was added to our charming abode, was ugly.
![Replacing A Plain Interior Wooden Door Replacing A Plain Interior Wooden Door](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXe-OTGNcPbKg3bjRcthIYW2dhV8qEez5JO6VIwqgRZbVgjyvm7AIfY0vAXXXiqFenaiIwZwDQatJlelSYiJPA_EflmdB0Pe2w1wqf-gSCXvNSpGO1iGbB0R9IpiFpsjEmvNIdqC707EoyVHRSvEGO2wV9tvQTL3_z6jXmj0q_f2r68_tdC4DAmzsuTTg/s16000-rw/Replacing%20A%20Plain%20Interior%20Wooden%20Door.jpg)
Plain and simple, I hated it.
So for a decades we looked for one that would match, in stores, antique shops and at the curb, but none were the proper size. Our door is small at 24" wide and that wasn't something we could modify, like trimming it down or adding wood to make it taller.
Then one day I had a brainstorm. What if, instead, we added a French door, like we put in the living room?
![Installing A Wooden French Door In The Bedroom Installing A Wooden French Door In The Bedroom](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvAjgT6aNTLWT4_cbw4hyphenhyphenns1wcAYsWU68nkymOcVQ47IJo3PYPVIVrbs7PghZf7xvaegYPAtvitjg9oOpXpAOEESJr860Ba4nsGaEbkwbkAx9xm0T5TetBaBtOISpwKfT1-D_Q-UCCY5PktVB__V5Um4x47XkAtLnlKCiz0qfv6DfN3HY8OLVrfT9OhU/s16000-rw/Installing%20A%20Wooden%20French%20Door%20In%20The%20Bedroom.jpg)
Of course, I'm just the the DIY dreamer. I have a general idea of what needs to be done, but my husband knew that the chances of popping the old door out and putting the new one in that same space were slim.
And again, he wasn't wrong.
The door frame was not square, so the new door didn't fit. Apparently, the correct way to do this would be to remove the door jamb and add a new one.
That, however, is major construction and I am firmly against that, so my sweet husband was trying to do it the Kim way to make me happy...which left him very, very unhappy.
![Unfinished Interior Wooden French Door Unfinished Interior Wooden French Door](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa3MP_OCa_q79kbgu48lCmJSkdbDzpnlKSPi0ZRjWQwS-KNCKY-CO_YAividFNgN23JKQ7SCa1__Widi0it_POOZT7Xxb-KaH1ZPmXIcJ5YYvMKdIudrhUnzhoVBghNJPgS2YfSn3NWkSYXJAmvZJGEwoVb2gsfnfGRbdj72CZZ5UvE3XLMf6WFP6b9s/s16000-rw/Unfinished%20Interior%20Wooden%20French%20Door.jpg)
After a lot of wrestling with that door and reengineering it by cutting it down on odd angles, finding a piece of wood, that was the right thickness to add to the top of the door to close a gap, gluing and sanding it, it fit.
I didn't get a picture of that process, but it was basically what he did here to my daughter's bedroom door after we removed the hallway carpet and there was a large gap under her door.
![Adding Wood Strip To Make Door Longer Adding Wood Strip To Make Door Longer](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxQLdqTuO6MzwMc0KIsCRX7eWxV0H5_staerqZxJ-1MXGin0_xT8817dMwLLDY3HEwyEndlDt4-7jfs6IAf3MabG6oyecJ4OLdcSwUhvlpabgwSsR1CaM-kxnX5BYDoJ13TfHXjgl5ZYVh-6VlKjTvYe1uXQsot8t41xJeh3kZGaOh81NaaW9sOiuuZQ/s16000-rw/Adding%20Wood%20Strip%20To%20Make%20Door%20Longer.jpg)
Making it fit was good enough for a few more weeks.
Then, in early spring, he took it down to paint it.
![Painting A French Door The Easy Way Painting A French Door The Easy Way](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBN7wtsJINADmP_7YIyrmixsu7Uq_OlMf5G6PplKaqtdp0pZSfK6wBuCJvR2MDNuGuvftlB2RAjGviviBAw2EAeFn8wn2MUjDgkPC2q0XQEWubaau6Dw710I7ZHr8CMnt8vRPhk6RxbwPzLluKyAEHtWKnNvlkQWq-a2_Z3WnQZU0qsqEkWHIhyCMB9I/s16000-rw/Painting%20A%20French%20Door%20The%20Easy%20Way.jpg)
It took several coats, using a small roller to apply the primer and paint to the outer wooden frame.
For the glass, he used a spray paint and primer in one.
He also left the plastic on the glass panes rather than taping them. So much simpler.
![How To Paint A Glass Paneled French Door Spray painting glass paneled doors with plastic on them](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiBk77UaPB2gz3ZfopGMlkCUdvvT9NDBtiFFeY9SFVje7OCBTIONMUw49RWaQq34VK6zwdj0F2ocaY4LGHLJLDGmQtdkroG6NwNN2Dc9GbQTon6wv50MxjewbnUFOMAvM-9WsKS7VakNIKcve8dY9Kl8BkyasvCk5T2gJaOhj0dqyQ_NE4bB63uFKnz4/s16000-rw/How%20To%20Paint%20A%20Glass%20Paneled%20French%20Door.jpg)
The doorknob should've gone on before the door went back up, but the original knob was old.
That was from the 1920's and in order to use it, a large part of the door needed to be carved out to accommodate the cumbersome lock box.
![Antique Door Knob Hardware Antique Door Knob Hardware](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-dyYcj0IXM0dXZzhhQ_dwEcHovL65vKMz9s8IUMU6MDKLYO9ABVzmfEZQT50DKg42f4Dn2kxRnRw_5r5uOQqvyjQpieMp0xkWZHJNmCJ996_gAGWZjKGToK9g9HJW3jG80hiPTJHdGPKW2fVXDbamqD6f97N0yg3teOiDwdCzIvhyCYd3RIu3nbS0nA/s16000-rw/Antique%20Door%20Knob%20Hardware.jpg)
I vetoed that idea and we found this brand new glass knob set (these are also similar glass knobs) instead, but when push came to shove, I thought that maybe we should use the old knob after all.
You know, for continuity.
![Glass Door Knob Kit Glass Door Knob Kit](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJOApm3zTTlJjLLZw-7ovH-ji3RrEthGfePS053q-CM9VVfUOk9nvydX0t3wsQeT2bTR6rBcoefv7l_o2LHwW5S77X0jTkXjtqyz7H-Hp6uFmk45pJXqahglhZukrcn5Ue5zW_mQB6qYcDU8dmnfuVVFenG4qb-L0hu1VnW9s9dyM1m682Euc-XD-BaE/s16000-rw/Glass%20Door%20Knob%20Kit.jpg)
My husband said he could combine the parts from the old and new knobs to make it work, like he did when we made the chandelier for the bedroom.
But it'd be a project for another day.
Well, that day was months ago.
Before we got distracted by our closet door update and the stinky marketplace headboard and that chandelier DIY.
Oh, and summer.
![Country Cottage French Door In The Bedroom Country Cottage French Door In The Bedroom](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7L6I-6nOnxBUnUyRQ9X2NNCvvbnDhQBC4REfxqBKqf6_XS6ZQ7UqQDcymIZhYtqbkDROwq3poB8eVRD20c66L99fua-TGlXBwXGOVCwR-TWNFt6LF37lPT8CPM_5QXCJFfBENpHfSdNoDjdasTd3Hm9Sd52nLTfA06WghbxfO8J-g89fNsGDlIc15RYg/s16000-rw/Country%20Cottage%20French%20Door%20In%20The%20Bedroom.jpg)
In the meantime, I was able to order fabric samples and make a curtain for the door in a darling green check.
It's the same one I used to update the shuttered cabinet doors. Another unfinished DIY.
And it coordinates with the fabric on the vanity door and the pom pom curtain valance I made a few months ago.
Well, today, I decided that I was done waiting for the doorknob installation to be completed before the big reveal.
I wanted to share and figured you'd get the idea, with or without the hardware.
![Creative Bathroom Door Ideas Creative Bathroom Door Ideas adding a French Door](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj615-AHQw12SwtrKBNxi8Fn0eZvASD8tg-2bvYfBbczuNSCP7yItJqSnA-4uIgWbkGQPo22c6ZHcfibl6r-PAiAS8azO-hzLS2nZxfUWwi1dxEuks_J053IUng-2ua5MfS5AS1jCOVPUIJXLwLFq32t98QJ1en_yWifwuz3IWBYnuEAGIMZmPIAdkwjfU/s16000-rw/Creative%20Bathroom%20French%20Door%20Ideas.jpg)
I have to say it was so worth the wait.
The new French door fits the room so much better.
It really complements the rest of the decor.
![Romantic Cottage Style Bedroom Decor Romantic Cottage Style Bedroom Decor](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVKD6KtOaK9wY3pMKViLskqvq2MbgXxilD3LUNq9EJBWA8XsKbZxHexLFqCN4ZFgxQocT6jJvSgSkEspUn4dcB_NGDLy_HDknTUxE5Tbxw7gKQVTo-1ufFhrnu3rgpTvj3iXge4mGfZkFSGEWRT9g89NO0LjCzizp_li_NLcZJCBAcD81xpGg_ElIYGw/s16000-rw/Romantic%20Cottage%20Style%20Bedroom%20Decor.jpg)
It looks fabulous from the inside of the bathroom, too.
A nice view while I'm showering is always a bonus.
![Green and White Cottage Style Bathroom Decor Ideas Green and White Cottage Style Bathroom Decor Ideas](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAUYrjKNSKTME92KIWxzInFTWQ1x87HL-gP6vsRpheHKiyFdZ8KYC_skBKbJC6DgylSHezU-4BIz1zJKKhrNPMTJNzRWgRzqRHSxCHZ-SU3-7TJMFVbSDDHuGHQGtRjUBwnU4aYyqZuI2QAq54UALlozP30VC1UL9VT5lmdfEUAQ8vft9vYC8B-CgXAM/s16000-rw/Green%20and%20White%20Cottage%20Style%20Bathroom%20Decor%20Ideas.jpg)
The door stays shut when needed.
![French Door In The Bathroom French Door In The Bathroom](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsbJZz0xE4J0vqw2GqmAbT3o1bZkAcLqfij5WDlKnW7jx9kWhfRzViI52jOZCA1YB8wUDmMPMPq0XXbgTdY0F7Ezl8y8Lb9ENIAoRmiHRkVV3pOGdZwBhwi4CQEmRyGDyiFy1yfrFnG_yC6qagM67R12hZ-062eVjZTTljl8sIooso0ZhV3-dyTBtx6s/s16000-rw/French%20Door%20In%20The%20Bathroom.jpg)
In the meantime, I'm keeping my mouth shut.
About this project anyway.
I've got a bedroom that needs to be painted.
I'm saving my talking for that.
Shhh...
😉
Would you add a French door in your bathroom?
Happy Renovating, Friends!
![Kim Signature](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_ejNaM3pXlIgHEo2o3OLXD5jOvMM1SqRqTxNwl04LS8ffs0Qf-PgNs2JVu0ZATLfZxUi96FYzR6T3cADmrQDg0h2nzjYlaXn3zhHfA5_6f37cdZDuXKKFakIrIr9EO06-kguLZ4PRlyqG-iO5bb8Mg1c3hF_p38at4qRsq9CxUrV6u6kfKRlAvL_3w/w200-rw/KimSignature.png)
I love it. I was thinking a French door to a bathroom would be odd but it looks perfect even without a door knob.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin! I know it's not a traditional choice, but once I got it in my head, there was no turning back! ☺️
DeleteKim - I have been reading your blog for a long time but this is the first time I have commented. I love your style and all of the creative ideas you come up with. Keep up the good work! Judy Clark
ReplyDeleteJudy, you just totally made my day!! ❤️ Thank you so much for those super kind, blush inducing words and for taking the time to comment! It means more than you could imagine. Enjoy the weekend and I hope to see you in the comments again soon!!
DeleteOoooh Kim! It's perfect. Seeing the picture of it, all done with the curtain you made, it just oozes cottage charm.
ReplyDeleteI did laugh at you planning and your hubby knowing it wouldn't be that easy. That happens here too. I have such good ideas, and then Bob says that won't work without major renovations. I've pointed out to him that the tv remodel shows have wives coming up with ideas and husbands going right along with them! :)
Mari, I'm actually laughing out loud at the patio table while my husband is wondering what I'm giggling about...this happens all the time around here, too. I can't tell you how many projects you don't see, for that exact reason. I could make a list! Oh well, it's our job to do the dreaming, right? Thank you for the sweet comment, too. Your "oozes cottage charm" is exactly what I was hoping for...happy weekend my friend!!
DeleteGenius idea! I love it!! - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteThank you, Briana!! I love that word genius!! Haha!! Happy weekend!!
DeleteI think this is a fab idea! It adds so much charm!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rachel! It's the bathroom door of my dreams. 🤣
DeleteKim - this looks perfect! And I especially love the fabric you used to line the windows. It has a fresh, cozy feel, like a little European inn. I love how all 3 fabric patterns work together so effortlessly! Beautifully done!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristine! I did try a plain white curtain first, but the checks just stole my heart. There was something about the way it looked that made me go "ah"...that's usually how I know I'm on the right track!
DeleteI love it. I am all for doing something unexpected....this gave great results...cottage-y and charming! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! I drove my poor husband crazy with this one, but I love the results and, so does he...so I guess it was worth all the hard work! I hope you are having a lovely start to the new week!! xo
DeleteI didn't think anything was wrong with your plain white bathroom door (all our interior doors are plain white!), but wow, that french door is sooo pretty! What a creative and lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie!! Growing up all the doors in our house were plain white, too and there were lovely. In this house, however, all the doors are old raised paneled charmers and this one was very out of place. It didn’t match the bedroom door a few feet away so it stuck out even more. It was also chipped and needed to be replaced regardless, so I figured why not try something fun? I hope you have a great week and stay cool!!
DeleteYour new door and curtain look gorgeous, I also love the new yellow roses picture by the door!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! That painting is a paint by number kit my daughter and I completed a few years ago. It had been hanging on another wall in my room, but I think it looks much better there!
DeleteThat looks great! Annoying that the door frame wasn't square! My mind had him laying the old door with it's wonky angels on top of the new door and tracing it onto the new door. LOL I wonder if that would have worked or if I'd be buying a new, new door right now! LOL I like his hack for adding height, my daughter needs to do that now that she removed carpeting in the bedrooms.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan!! Yes, he did think about using the old door as a template. Unfortunately, it was a bit warped and it wasn't possible to get a proper tracing. Plus, that door was the one and only we could find on the floor for 50 miles. If he made a mistake we would've had to order it and wait...and pay more. So you were on the right track and that would've been the smarter way to go if we could've! Good luck with the door heights..in my daugther's room he actually used a piece of wood he cut from an old door he found at the curb...that might work for her, too.
Delete"I can talk about them a lot longer than he can stand to listen to them." Ha Ha Ha!! I am still laughing at this line.
ReplyDeleteI like it. :-)
So funny, Carla! I can't tell you how many renovations around here have been completed because I won't stop talking about them! Hahaha! Oh well, it works! 🤣
DeleteKim I did! In fact two of them. One for our master closet in the master bath and one going out onto the screened porch. I love them and am sure you will too. It looks so pretty and I really like the green check..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy and I’m glad to hear that I’m not alone with my love for French doors!! We have them all over the house, I’ve used them as pocket doors leading to other rooms and as arched doorways and more. I thought adding one in the bedroom would be lovely and I’m so happy with its addition. I just know yours are lovely, too.
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteLove this!! Back to the closet doors...A friend of mine had her husband install french doors on her walk in closet and she used white lace curtains on them....It was just stunning!! And they opened in to room so you could walk into the closet....This project made me think of hers...Looks great!! Thanks for sharing, my friend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
That sounds lovely!! I was thinking of adding sliding French doors, with curtains or painting the glass white, to replace our closet doors. That was really my plan, but once the bathroom door was up I thought it might be too much, but I never say never!! Of course, I don’t have a walk in closet. That would be dreamy!!
DeleteFirst of all Kim, I love how you explain the process, I am so glad we are not the only ones who tend to drag a project out. I wondered how you planned to provide privacy in the bathroom, and I should have know it would be a curtain. I love it! I am also in love with how it coordinates with your vanity curtain. I'd like to know where you go for fabric, we just do not have many options available here in Ohio. I would also like to learn how to sew, and you always get me excited to learn, and then I push it off to work on something else. I need to buckle down and learn so I can create custom pieces for our home. You are always such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteCara you are the sweetest!! Thank you so much!! We did consider painting the glass panels white or with mirrored/ mercury glass spray…but I just love the charm of fabric! We do have a local shop that has fabric on the bolt, but lately I’ve been buying online. Maybe I should write a post about my favorite places!
DeleteLooks amazing! Great minds think alike Kim; we did the exact same thing to both our upstairs bathrooms when Hubs first moved into my (now our) house. Our main bathroom doesn't have a window, so we put a frosted film on it. So much better now when the power goes out and I'm stuck in there lol. As for the other bathroom, I've been meaning to do a fabric treatment so your post should give me the inspiration to get 'er done already :).
ReplyDeleteGreat minds definitely think alike, Sara!! I love a creative solution and we considered adding a frosted film and if I get tired of the fabric I might just add some. You know me, I do love change!!
DeleteKim, I thought the old door looked nice but the new door looks great with the fabric. I hope you enjoy your new door.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie! I really like the change. It’s definitely a different look for a bathroom, but fun! Happy Weekend!
Delete