French Door Project

We purchased our home three years ago (times flies when your DIYing every few months), and the sliding back door was so difficult to open that I threw my back out more than once when opening it. A few month ago the handle finally broke off and it was not replaceable (yippee)! So we decided to go ahead replace it. It was more expensive & more work than we bargained for. Thankfully our finish carpenter friend Craig was on hand to take charge of the project and install it with the help of my husband. I never knew how much work was involved in building a crown like Craig built for me. He designed it to match my open shelf pantry he built & installed for me last year for our anniversary.

We ordered the door from Home Depot with the built in blinds (in the glass) and an outswing door to save room. The Paint is Benjamin Moore Black with built in Primer. The handles are Schlage Brookshire Collection in Satin Nickel.

We are down to three more home improvement projects and then I hope to be done for a few years at least. It has been three years of projects and my husband & I need some much deserved down time. The room is the darkest in the house so forgive my dimly lit photos! So without further ado here is our french door project.

BEFORE: Outside view of old slider.

BEFORE: Slider inside view.

IN PROGRESS: Measure twice, cut once!

IN PROGRESS: Ready for the trim moulding.

IN PROGRESS: The making of a crown. Craig teaching my hubs about finish carpentry.

IN PROGRESS: Ready to paint trim.

AFTER: What a chore to paint that dentil moulding! I used a tiny brush.

AFTER: Outside view from the covered patio.

AFTER: New Schlage Brookshire Satin nickel handel.

AFTER: We LOVE it!

PS. I am a messy painter!