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10 Cleverly Crafty Ways to Refashion a Door

If your dull doors have got you down, don't fret. Houzz is full of fabulous ideas for great statement doors. Some of these ideas may require a long-term savings account, while others require only a quick trip to the home improvement store and a few hours of a semicrafty homeowner's time. Here are 10 of the most clever door intervention ideas spotted around Houzz.
Wrapped. After pricing leather-wrapped doors, interior designer Brandi Hagen of Eminent Interior Design saved money by mimicking the look with imitation crocodile.

"This faux crocodile pattern is a wall covering, and standard paste was used. The wall covering was ordered to have tiny (unseen) holes that allow for proper ventilation from the walnut substrate through the wall covering; the wall covering is vinyl, which accepts this process," she writes.
Upholstered. Artist Lisa Borgnes-Giramonti also took matters into her own hands. Inspired by a traditional look, she upholstered her door in this rich-looking faux leather and added an ornate push plate and brass nails.

See the rest of this house
Studly. The studded doors at a resort in Mexico inspired these custom-made doors in a Massachusetts coastal home.
The architects used studded doors inside the house too. These are custom solid mahogany by Blue Anchor Millwork, adorned with custom bronze nailheads.
This custom door has art deco–inspired appeal.
Faux paneled. DIY master Brian Patrick Flynn gave a blah old hollow door a clever makeover, using paint to create a paneled look and adding a door knocker for a touch of whimsy.

Learn how to do this yourself
Chalkboard. An easy way to have some design fun with a door is to coat it in chalkboard paint and switch up the messages and doodles whenever you fancy.
Patchwork. Blogger Tamar Schechner of Nest Pretty Things livened up a boring closet door with wallpaper glue and a patchwork design.
Translucent glass. If you need some privacy, you can replace clear glass with frosted or etched glass.
You can frost the glass yourself with spray can frosting. I can attest, as someone who has had many DIY disasters, that this is very easy to use. Even I have used it successfully!
Etched glass. A fancy etching is far beyond my limited skills, but some of you crafties may decide to go for adding fancy details when you complete your glass-frosting project. Too tricky for you too? Seek out pro art glass companies, like Sans Soucie Art Glass, which created this delectable pantry door.
Artistic screen. Looking to jazz up your exterior door? Artist Susan Wallace creates sculptural custom-designed screen doors that add miles of curb appeal.

Learn more about Susan Wallace and her screen doors
Stenciled. A door like this will take a little more sweat equity or a professional; the stenciling is by artist and interior designer Alison Cosmos.
For a smaller time commitment, you might want to start simple, perhaps stenciling numbers, your monogram or a friendly message.

Have you added design details to any of your doors? Please share your ideas and photos with us in the Comments section.

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