Inspiration Friday Party No. 6!

Welcome to the Party!
In my first Inspiration Friday Link Party, I shared with you the beautiful front door of Sheri's home from the Simasek-Kibler project. Here is another look at it in all it's gorgeousness!

Don't you just love those arched windows too?

Well, I told you then that my own front door was in a very sad state and that I was determined to repaint it. I made a promise to myself that I would not hang my fall wreath until I had that door painted! It was my own kind of Decorating Discipline.
 Kind of like when I tell my son that he doesn't get to watch Phineas and Ferb until I can walk through his room without impaling my foot on a Lego!

But, you know how life just kind of gets in the way? I mean, we hardly ever even go through the front door anyway! It was very easy to put off...and put off...and put off.

Then, just to add insult to injury, you all began to showcase your beautiful front doors in all of their Fall Glory! I even read one post where someone said that the front door is the true first impression of your home and it says a lot about what lies just inside. OH NO!!! My front door just said,

Run...Run for your life!!!

Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, the lovely Kristin over at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia hosted a party where everyone showcased their FRONT DOORS!
I do not like being left out of a party! It was painful to sit there and look at all of your beautiful and welcoming front doors when just a few feet away, my front door sat there looking like this...

You may be thinking, well that doesn't look THAT bad...

Oh yeah? Take a look at this...

And this...

There isn't a wreath in the world large enough to help out this pitiful thing. And, believe me, I looked for one!

So, with the realization that I was running out of weather that would be conducive to exterior painting, I finally did it!

I painted the door last weekend and it only took my a few weeks from the time I originally posted about it.

Ok, technically it is more like 2 years, 5 months and 4 weeks but, who's counting??!!

So, without further delay, here is the

BEFORE

  

And here is the

AFTER

We decided to paint the wood frame Black as well so it would really 'Pop' and add some depth to the space.

Kristin took pity on me was very gracious and understanding about my Front Door woes and gave me some great ideas for how to re-purpose the hardware.

Just SPRAY PAINT them! It was yet another one of my,

"I love blogging because people share these

great ideas that are smart and save me money and yet somehow I feel a little stupid that I didn't think of that in the first place," moments!

I am never too proud to admit my stupidity though and I won't let it stop me from going for it!

Here is how the Kick-plate looks after a light sanding and being sprayed with an Oil Rubbed Bronze paint!

I saw something identical to this at Lowes this weekend for $25!

And here is the hardware in the same paint...

Despite my sanding and prepping it still shows some imperfections that just wouldn't go away. Let's just call it the Distressed Look...or we could say it has Character! Either way, I saved us a chunk of change by not having to buy new hardware!

Thank you so much Kristin! I wish I could give you a big hug!

And now, here is the door all dressed for Fall.

Just think of us as being Fashionably Late to the Party!

Those giant Mums were only $9.99 at Costco!

Oh, what was that????

Did I hear someone say something???

You don't want to run for your life? In fact, that door actually looks Inviting?

Dare I say...Welcoming? Now the Doormat isn't lying anymore!

And hopefully it finally actually reflects what lies inside!

Now, let's get to some more great Inspiration!
It is time to link up to the party and I can't wait to see what you have all been up to! As always, there have been some incredibly inspiring posts out there and I love that this is a place where you can share anything and everything that you hope might Inspire someone!

I hope you have a Fabulous Weekend!

From this Southern Girl at Heart,

Vanessa
Linking to these parties..

Southern Hospitality

Power of Paint Party

Thrifty Decor Chick Before and After Party