April 28, 2009

WFMW: New Look for a BO-ring Garage Door, FAUX-Real



So. In our neighborhood, everyone has the same garage door that is painted the same color as the trim of your house. Exciting. We've lived here 7 years, and it was about time for a repaint, since our door faces west, it was starting to fade.

Rather than go with the same ol' Tavern Taupe, I looked, searched, YouTubed, and researched going faux. Then last week, I bit the bullet. I was nervous. But, figured I could paint it back Tavern Taupe if things didn't work out.

First, here is my before door- for reference.


And here is the finished product:


With 2 small cans of Minwax Mahogany stain, and a sponge roller- this is what it came to be. I purchased the stain in a satin finish and then also pre-mixed with polyurethane- so I didn't have to re-coat to seal.

Want to know how? It was easy.

First: POWER wash the door the day or two before. And let dry well.

Second: Since my pattern is the usual square sequence, I put a coat of stain on each square first. Then I added 2 more coats for 3 coats total.

Third: Start the rest of the door. Work in small areas. I used streaking motions. I used only one-ish coats in these areas. It is important to work in one small area at a time, or risk a lot of overlap look.

Fourth: Hardware- which is totally optional. You can get this at Lowe's but it only came in black. The faux hinges and handles did not show up so well in black on the mahogany. I took some sterling silver acrylic and lightly brushed it over the hardware, for a nickel look. And it turned out great. That will need to be sealed- however.

This project, with BIG outcome was just $22 for stain. The hardware was about $40. I love it. And so has everyone else. Even a few neighbors I don't even know, who stopped- got out of their cars and asked me what color it was. So. What do you think? And, if you try it- send me your result!

For more WFMW ideas, visit KRISTEN at We are THAT Family!!


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56 comments:

Kirsty said...

Genius! And it looks marvelous dahling. I am so impressed :) Thanks for the tip.

ThatsBaloney said...

Looks great! You know I'm not crafty, though.

Precision Quality Laser said...

Looks fabulous! I love the idea of using decorative hardware...

Wanda said...

Wow.....that is purty!
I love it.
Great work, lady!

Stacey said...

Looks really good! Congrats!

3XMom said...

wow! SOOOO gorgeous! I don't have a garage, but this is awesome!

Bahama Shores Mama said...

it totally changed the look of your house! very rich, darlin'!!

Kristen said...

THAT is amazing! You are completely brave and a genius!

Tammy said...

BEE-YOO-TEE-FUL!

Girl, once again, you got skillz!

Erin @ Closing Time said...

Wow!! That is amazing...beautiful results!

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

what a great job!

Anonymous said...

Love it!! You are very creative - thanks for sharing.

Julie Bagamary said...

Impressive...too bad we don't have a garage or a garage door...lol.

The Nester said...

WOOOOOOOW!

adding this to the next bird watching post!

Anonymous said...

I think I'll have to be copying that ASAP. Thanks for including pictures and directions. BEAUTIFUL!

Pam said...

Wow! What an awesome transformation! It looks just like a super expensive wooden garage door. I'm inspired.

southerninspiration said...

I love that it's different! cool re-do!!

suzanne

Natalie Meester said...

wow! It's remarkable! I love it!

Great Job!

Chris said...

I came over from Nester, and this is absolutely brilliant. I can't believe how real it looks! Great job!

Magic Brush said...

I own a faux finishing company and we do this as well. Amazing what a difference it can make. You can see a post I did on our doors here:

http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/2009/02/tis-season.html

Did you do your front door also? Kudos to your for having the courage to GO FOR IT!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, that looks fantastic. Great idea & great job!

HSingMama said...

I love it! I have telling my hubby that I want to change our garage door and our shutters to a stained wood look. Thanks for sharing how you did it.

SoBella Creations said...

What a fantastic transformation

Melissa said...

It looks so custom and expensive! What a creative idea~thanks for sharing your steps!

Diann said...

Garages everywhere are thanking you right now!!

Anonymous said...

That is so amazing! Love the way it transforms the whole look of your home!

Heathahlee said...

Clicked over from Nester's...man, that is gorgeous! Makes me wish I had a garage door to paint! : )

Kasey said...

That looks amazing. I really like it. Way to go. I bet you get a lot of slow drivers admiring your new door!

~ Jill ~ said...

came over from Nester - LOVE this! I live in one of "those" neighborhoods too - I really want to do this!!! Thanks for sharing!

Cara@TheSheetBoutique said...

Sweet!

I'd have been too chicken to try something this "visible"! So glad it turned out beautifully for you.

A Hint of Home said...

You did a great makeover there! It turned out so great!

Kim said...

I just want you to know that I sent a link to your blog to about 15 people! I've been wanting to do this on our garage door and you have definitely convinced me to move it up on my home improvement project list.

It truly looks AWESOME!

Cheri said...

Very cool! So striking! Would love to see it in person! Thanks so much for sharing!

Cheri

Vanessa said...

That really is fabulous! Great idea.

Kyle said...

BRILLIANT!! I have a question though... After you used the sponge roller on all the squares, did you also roll the framing around it? Or did you use a cloth or something to get in the crevices? Thanks!

stefanie said...

What do you mean by streaking motions? I'm really interested b/c I need to do something to my garage door too and this just may be it!!!

jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas said...

Fantastic! Love it!

The Masked Mommy said...

Wow!!! This is a~maz~ing!!! I cannot believe how much better this house looks from the front! Incredible! I just don't know if I could say enough. Good for you for being brave and going for it! That's what life is about :-) Thanks for sharing with everyone!

Anonymous said...

That is just beautiful!!! May I ask do you have a wooden garage door or is it metal? What a facelift to your already warm home!

Trina said...

Wow, very impressive! We live in a similar neighborhood, so I would love to do this!

Lenetta said...

Just wanted you to know I linked to this on my weekly link roundup. I think this idea could be adapted to suit just about anybody's taste - good for you for going for it!

Anonymous said...

Hello, this is Trinity Garage Doors & Openers, Inc. We are a garage door service and repair company in Metro Atlanta, and we just wanted to say how much we liked your garage door's new look! You did a spectacular job, and we liked it so much we put a link to this article in our blog. Thank you so much for sharing!

Decor To Adore said...

What a way to break the cookie cutter mold!

Unknown said...

This is so awesome! It really turned out well. Safe to say...don't repaint!

Nancy

Unknown said...

I have seen this done before and forgot ALL about it til now!! Great job...

XOXO-

Melissa said...

I think I've come across this post before, but I just didn't comment.

I LOVE how you painted your garage door! It definitely brings character and uniqueness to your home! Great idea!

Melissa :D

Jennifer Juniper said...

Can a garage door be stunning? 'Cause that door...stunning!

DESJ and Company said...

that looks AMAZING!
I'm jealous that I don't have a garage to do that to!
GREAT JOB!

Got to you from ASPTL

Anonymous said...

Coming from a Decorative Finisher, YOU ROCKED IT!!!!

Unknown said...

4/17/2010
Hi,
How is you garage door looking?
Was the stain you used interior?
Looks great!
Thanks,
Matt
mattsperr@hotmail.com

Dina said...

a question: I did the same to my garage last summer after seeing it on your blog. However, this summer we are already having serious peeling/flaking problems, even with 2 coats of poly. is your holding up? if so, what do think the difference might be? thanks!

Magic Brush said...

I own a faux finishing company in Kansas City and just had a client email me your blog post and ask if I do this??? LOL! I sure do! You did a great job! You should consider doing it for some of those strangers that stop by!!!

Unknown said...

I have been in the garage door business for many years and this is very crafty and looks great! I will keep this in mind when a customer is wanting this look, but doesn't want to pay for a complete new door. The only thing that I would suggest is the placement of the outside hardware needs to be moved,but since I'm sure it's screwed in that can't be moved without leaving holes. I will make sure to pin this and show it too some future customers, thank you for sharing!

Nina said...

LOVE this! Since you did your garage doors I'm interested to know how they're holding up? Have you had any weather related issues?

Gaines said...

Did you use gel stain, oil-based or water-based?

Unknown said...

Fantastic job! I notice that the post is dated 2009. It is now 2013 and I wondered how the finish held up. Have you had to refinish it each year? I'm in West Texas where the heat is brutal and my garage doors face the east, so I'm worried as to how the morning sun will affect the finish over time. I really want to do this!!!

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