The front door of any building provides an opportunity to make a welcoming statement. Whether it be the design, the color, and/or adjacent elements, this area is the first introduction to and hint of what lies within.
In Paris, where I visit often, most doors are painted blue, various blues, but blue blue blue – everywhere! This has a long historical and symbolic context, originally signifying wealth or royalty, but today representing a strong tie to tradition and a personal contribution to the city’s distinctive style. Where there’s a non-blue entry door in Paris, one feels out of place.
During my recent visit to The Cotswolds in England, I was struck by the personalities of many of the front doors in this rural haven. This prompted my thinking about the front doors of some of the buildings I have seen over the years, some in foreign countries, some located in homes I have designed and built.
In The Cotswolds, this red door provides a lively contrast to the surrounding stone.
