yourentryyourfocalpoint.pdf  

What is Shari talking about?  Your entry, your focal point?  Well, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about defining a focal point in your rooms, like a fireplace or picture window.  Well, it works just the same outside your home.  Every exterior needs a focal point or a place that catches your eye as you look at the outside of your home.  The entry and area surrounding your front door is the most logical place to focus on.

So, how do you create a perfect focal point at the entry of your home?  Well, I think there are many things you can do to create interest at the entry, but the most obvious update is going to be your entry door and surround.  Matt and I have been fortunate to meet the people from ProVia Door and walk through their manufacturing plant and learn about every detail that goes into making a ProVia Door.  Are we sold?  Yes, we are and Matt can explain how their doors are built with quality workmanship and finished by craftsmen.  He can explain how they help keep your home safe and warm, but I can tell you all about their beauty! 

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et’s begin with the first trait you notice about everything – color!  ProVia can give you so many options for your entry doors.  From elegant wood stains to rich “catch your eye” colors.  And, every home deserves a punch of color at the door.  Now remember, depending on the color of the siding on your home – even white can be a punch of color!  

Those of you who know me won’t be surprised when I tell you my favorite color offering from ProVia is their Rustic Bronze color.  I’ve always been attracted to brown for walls, furniture, clothing, just about anything because I feel that brown in the perfect neutral.  Unlike black, it has warmth and an inviting spirit to it.  This “Rustic Bronze” has a bit of gray in it as well, keeping it a bit more sophisticated.  

This would be beautiful on just about any beige home, white and creams, earthy green and rich blue homes.  I’d love it with a red house, with brick or stone…..See what I mean?  This brown is perfect! 

Interestingly, a red door is probably one of the most popular bold colors for front entry doors.  You see a red door on a variety of white and off white homes.  Red is great with a brown or gray house as well.  It goes nicely with most neutrals.  And notice here that even though the above brown swatch is the same size as the red one, the red one seems larger!  This is ProVia’s “Vallis Red”.

Well, it’s because red advances or comes towards you.  So if you really want your front door to be seen, purchase a “Vallis Red” or this very popular,  “Mountain Berry” ProVia door! 

 "Forest Green” will also grab your attention, but not as much as the Vallis Red.  Green is a soothing, calming color.  It gives the impression that the folks inside are welcoming, easy to befriend and may like the finer things in life.  Because the Forest Green is subdued and sophisticated, it lends a touch of class to any home it is used on.  This would be great with all the warm neutrals, yellows, gold, browns and more!

 I spoke earlier about brick and stone, and here’s a perfect example where the whites, off whites and light neutrals are the answer.  Just look at how beautiful this “Clay” colored door is with the brick.  The sidelights and inset glass doesn’t hurt this gorgeous look either! So no matter what color or what material your home is made of, there is a color that will complement and enhance its character.

Now, if you aren’t going the color route but are considering selecting a wood tone, do I have the wood tones for you!  A wood tone front entry door adds such striking beauty to your home that it should be one of the first finishes you consider.

Take home some sample swatches from your local ProVia Door dealer and see how you feel when you see a beautiful mahogany, cherry, or oak door at your entrance.  I’ll bet you fall in love! 

What an interesting combination this makes, using the painted sidelites and the stained front entry door.  The colors certainly pick up both the cool and warm tones of the stone around the entrance.  This is one that would be tough to take your eyes off of! 

There aren’t too many solid colors out there that can rival the depth and warmth of a wood stained door.  This light oak looks fabulous with the warm brick and is accented nicely with additional accessories at the steps like a pot of sunflowers and an antique painted bird house. 

And I know you don’t need to be reminded, but a wood stained door enhances the look of your interior as well!

Just by looking at this entry you can understand the importance of taking your time to select just the right door and complement it with just the right accessories.  Nothing beats the welcoming look of a front porch or entry made up almost as if it’s part of the inside of your home!

Now let’s start picking that serene scene apart to see what else makes for the perfect focal point.  Hmm, the creative design in the glass of the door certainly catches my eye as I browse the photo.  This is called inspirations glass.  It too is a lovely decorative product by ProVia Door, and you can choose from so many different designs and then add the colors that suit you.  What could be more personal? 

This is called the Synergy Series and I think it’s one of my favorite designs. By the way, if you want to see even more from ProVia Door, check out their website at www.proviadoor.com. 

Lighting is another important entry detail and I am so excited to say that if you haven’t shopped for lighting recently, you haven’t seen lighting!!  There are so many different, creative designs out there to purchase right off the shelf or even order from a catalog.

 I think you will even see finishes that are new and interesting like this pewter look which has an industrial feeling to it. 

Or how about a mission style fixture for your entry?  Blend the style and the finishes with the style and colors of your exterior to tell a special story about you and your home. 

Now looking back at the front porch photo, there are many things to notice, but I think after the lighting I start to hone in on the architectural details of the porch.  You know, you can add all sorts of architectural detailing to your home and it can be easier than you think. You can purchase kits that will allow you to add pediments to your front door! 

 Maybe your home’s front entry could use a column and arch or perhaps a railing or two?  Start by looking at your home as if you were a stranger.  I find that if I can do this, I can see my house in a whole new light making me more open to doing things I never would have thought of before.  

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s the addition of some outdoor furniture a possibility?  This is one addition that really gives a homey flair.  And, it may even help to create a new space around your home that beckons even you to come sit and relax!

 This great shot from Coastal Living magazine brings a lot of the right elements together for me.  I love the cozy furniture, but it’s the surrounding flowers that make this entry shine.  Sure you can add all sorts of baskets or pots of flowers and greenery, but have you recently considered the addition of window boxes?  In a situation where your entry incorporates a window, this could be the perfect addition to make your entry, your focal point! 

It’s often the details that count, and even though most people see your entry from the street, even the smallest details could make the difference.  For instance, how about your door hardware?  No, there are more than just circular knobs out there now and you should really consider something that complements your new wood stained or painted door.  This happens to be one collection of hardware options by Schlage.  Just look at the variety of finishes and designs – and believe me, this is just the tip of the iceberg!

The same innovation that has been going on with lighting and door hardware has made its way into the house numbers market. 

Wouldn’t this mission style number set look fantastic next to the mission style light fixtures?  See what I mean about matching styles for your exterior?  It’s exactly what I would recommend inside your home so why wouldn’t the same rules apply outside…especially if you are trying to create a dramatic focal point on your exterior.  

Looking for something industrial to go with your pewter look industrial light fixtures?  Well you’re in luck; there are hundreds of numbering styles that will coordinate perfectly! 

So let’s wrap this story up so you can go out and get your front entry in shape.  Start by looking at it as if you didn’t live there…perhaps as if you were going to buy your home.  What would you like to change about that entry that would really make it pop?  Take some time to consider all the options you have from an exterior product standpoint and even an interior product standpoint as with furniture and even artwork! 

Visit local dealers for ideas, or drive through local neighborhoods and find some homes with that ultimate entry.  You can photograph them from the street and take the ideas home with you.  Go through magazines and tear out photos of entries that really excite you.  These are the ways I know of finding exactly what you want.  It takes time, so be patient, your perfect entry, your focal point, is only a dream away! 

Shari

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