A timeless entrance using the Architects’ finishes with @va_va_room
When choosing a colour for your front door, one of the most important considerations is the surrounding elements. Whether you select a neutral that blends with adjacent stonework, or a stronger colour that creates an bold contrast, the final entrance should be cohesive, inviting and reflective of your personal style.
Tori from @va_va_room demonstrated this design principle when creating the entrance for her home, ‘Lavender Cottage’. Using the self-priming Architects’ finishes, she paired Slate II with Lady Char’s Lilac for an exterior scheme that works effortlessly alongside natural wisteria, greenery and traditional redbrick.
Explore Tori’s home exterior project…
How did you choose Lady Char’s Lilac for your front door?
“It looked like a process of elimination because I had seven tester colours from lilac to dark blue, coral and green. But because our house is called Lavender Cottage, and we have a vast display of lilac wisteria across the front of our house, I think there was only ever going to be one winner!
Given the wisteria we have growing across the front of the cottage and the red brick, it was important for me to choose a colour that agreed with everything. Lucky for me, it was the one I liked the most too!”
Discover expert guidance on choosing colours for your front door
What would you say to someone considering a bolder shade for their entrance?
“Just choose what you like! Don’t be swayed by what you think others would like to see on the house, or what your neighbours have; if it looks nice on your house and you like it, then go for it. It can always be painted again if you change your mind!”
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What was your experience using Paint & Paper Library Architects’ finishes, with their multi-surface, self-priming formulations?
“I think they’re fantastic! I am all for any project that doesn’t require infinite preparation work; the Architects’ All Surface Primer (ASP) is amazing! We’ve used it on stairs before, along with the Architects’ Eggshell topcoat. There were no chips after constant use, so I had no worries about using the Architects’ finishes on my front door too.”
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Can you share your best advice for designing an exterior scheme?
“Inside, I try and visualise the rooms all together with no walls to see if all my colours ‘go’ together. Outside, it’s a little different because of the outside influences like how much greenery you have about, or the colour of your house or fences.
I tend to keep things neutral outside; I like a stone colour because it goes well with any form of greenery and any rogue flowers that pop up…but not when it comes to a front door. It’s often the first thing people see when they come to your house, and it’s nice to give them a reason to smile with a pretty door!”
