Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Going Dutch


This week I've been researching Dutch door hardware for a particular project.  I wanted to get the look and the functionality just right.  One of the dilemmas was where to put the hardware.  Most commonly the hardware is on the bottom panel, and I think this is the nicer look.  However this sometimes means that the knob is much lower than a standard door knob height.  Which way would you go;  better looking or easier to use?

 I love the look of the Dutch door where the top half of the door is glass.  This Dutch door softens the look of the formal entry foyer above.


  It also adds a human element, and some movement to a potentially static environment.


 I love these high gloss black doors. I also love the framed maps beyond!

 
 The top half of this door lines up with the sidelights for a pulled together look on this porch.  The whimsical color is also a nice, unexpected touch. 

 This door has an interesting pattern...Love the porch, the urns, and the riding boots!

 The Dutch door makes this formal 6 panel door unique.  Note the interesting hardware...it's in the center of the panel??

 This Dutch door looks right on this pretty country house...great color, love the old bluestone landing and path!  Old New England!


 High gloss blue with the vibrant yellow...so sophisticated. 

 This looks like an old Victorian updated with modern furnishings.  Love!


This is such an interesting door.  The upper panel looks like an art frame. That's all you need with a view like this.


 One of my favorite entry foyers.  Love the door, the hardware, the windows, the paneling...It all feels exactly right.

A unique and decorative door...especially pretty upper portion.  Beautiful lights, lovely porch.


This mudroom looks perfect with a Dutch door.

5 comments:

  1. I also love the look of front doors where the top half of the door is glass and the bottom half is timber. They are smart, practical and flood the hall with light.

    But why are they called Dutch doors? I would normally refer to them as stable doors.

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  2. Hi Hels, Thanks for your comment.
    That's a great question. I don't know why they are called Dutch doors...are they called stable doors in the UK? Now I'm really curious.

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    1. In Australia (and presumably the UK? ) a stable door is a door that is split horizontally in the centre, allowing the top and bottom halves to move independently of each other. There is no expectation that the top half will be made of glass.

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  3. Great post- I love Dutch doors too. I think it doesn't look quite right to have the handle anywhere but the bottom panel. That is the part that will normally be closed when the the top half is opened to the breezes. If the handle is not on the bottom, I'm not sure how one would get the door open to walk through it. The photo of the door with the handle on the top panel looks strange and impractical to me, as if they didn't know where it was supposed to go. Our Dutch stable doors are solid and have latches on the top and the bottom panels so that the top can be closed while the bottom is open. In a barn, this is often so the mare or other large animals are prevented from passing through, but a foal or small animal can pass in and out. Not really an issue in the house though. :) Can't wait to hear what you come up with! xoxo, NG

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