Front door transformation with paint and hardware

Today I want to share with you one of my hands-down, all-time favorite DIY projects ever.

When we bought our home, our front door was red. While I’m certainly not opposed to a red door, the color didn’t quite work with our green house. It looked like Christmas all year round. 😉

Door

I also wondered why the trim was left white. At any rate, I was itching to give this door a complete makeover. I contemplated buying a new, solid wood door. Then I looked at the price of solid wood doors and I quit contemplating that. 😉

But I still really wanted my front door to have that beautiful, upscale wood grain look. So I decided to try my hand at a faux wood grain paint technique. The results were absolutely stunning. (Note: I have never used the word “stunning” to describe any of my DIY projects. I was pretty tickled with this one.)

How-to-use-wood-graining-tool

You can find out exactly how I did that project here.

Now the only problem left with my “new” door was the old, gold hardware. Of course, I realize there are bigger problems in the world besides dated door hardware. But I really had my eye on an oil-rubbed bronze handleset with a keypad that lets you type in a code and unlock the door. Sounds awesome, right?

Enter the Schlage Connect™ with handleset and accent lever.

Schlage-handle-closeup

I absolutely love everything about this system! I chose the Camelot Style Schlage Connect™ with Handleset and Accent Lever – in the aged bronze color. I was a little intimidated to try to install it after I saw all the pieces, so I asked the hubs to help while I took pictures. But after watching the process, I’m confident I could do this by myself with no problem.

We started by removing the old deadbolt hardware. Our door was always a little wonky; we needed a key to lock and unlock the deadbolt from the inside!

Removing-door-hardware Removing-old-casing-hardware

Matt installed the new deadbolt and Connect hardware in its place.

Hinge-and-deadbolt-hardware

Hooking-up-Connect-and-latch

Here are all the pieces that come with the Connect portion of the hardware.

Schlage-Connect-hardware

This system runs on four double-A batteries. After installing the touchscreen and deadbolt, we attached the pieces of the Connect system that go on the inside of the door.

Schlage-plate

Schlage-Connect-and-deadbolt

Next, it was time to add the new handle and lever.

Schlage-Connect-lever-hardware

We had to drill an extra hole to secure the bottom of the handle, since we only had a knob before.

Drilling-for-Schlage-handle

The handleset and lever fit right into place. Then we tightened all the screws.

Attaching-lever

Attaching-bottom-of-handle

Done!

Shlage-Connect-lever

Front-door-closeup Schlage-handleset-aged-bronze

While I am impressed with how this hardware has completely transformed my run-of-the-mill front door into an elegant work of art, 😉 my husband is totally digging what the Connect system can do.

Here is the touchscreen lit up during the day and at night.

Schlage-touchscreen-keypad

The Schlage Connect is compatible with many home automation systems including Lowe’s Iris, Home Depot’s Wink, Staples Connect or Nexia™ Home Intelligence. (We decided to go with the Wink, because it’s less expensive; we can easily add parts to it; and it has lots of good reviews.)

The system uses Z-wave technology to allow you to:

  • Secure and manage your home security while you are anywhere in the world, from an Internet-connected smartphone, tablet or computer.
  • Have text alerts sent directly to your cells so you know when your door is opened or the lock is tampered with.
  • Program up to 30 unique codes that can be tailored to specific days or times of the week so holiday house guests and neighbors can have their own codes for home access.

Note: A home automation system is not required to use the Schlage Connect touchscreen for locking and unlocking the door. The automation system is primarily for managing your lock (and other home devices) remotely using a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Pretty fancy for a DIY diva, no? Again, here’s a look at our front door before:

Fall-front-porch

And after:

front-door-redo

What do you think of the transformation?

Special thanks to Schlage for providing, at my request, the Schlage Connect and Handleset with Accent Lever needed for this project. As always, all opinions and sweat equity are 100% mine (and the hubs’).

I’m linking this up to Thrifty Decor Chick’s December Before and After Party.

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19 Responses

  1. Donna Gibson says:

    Nice transformation! I’ve seen this story before. I saw the Hallmark movie, “The Ladies of the House” the other day, and thought of you. Florence Henderson (Brady Bunch mom) was one of the ladies in the movie and she and two other ladies in the community remodeled an entire house. That was interesting, and I totally thought you would fit right in with them and could give them some pointers.

  2. Patricia says:

    Great Job! I love the new lock set, not sure if I could put it in myself, but after all the times I have locked myself out of the house, it might come in handy!

  3. Marie says:

    So, if it runs on batteries…..what if the batteries die when you’re away on holidays and when you come home you can’t get in?
    Looks great, by the way!

    • Susan says:

      Great question, Marie. There’s still a keyed lock, so you could always manually open the door in that situation. Considering how little power it takes to run the system, though, I’d venture to guess the batteries last a really long time. I haven’t had the system long enough to see if it gives some sort of indication when the batteries are low. Hmmmm.

      • Schlage says:

        Hi there, Susan & Marie!

        In the event that your batteries do die before you get the chance to replace them, the backup would be a manual key.

        The Schlage Connect™ does have a low battery signal that will appear on the front of the lock. We do recommend that you replace the batteries on your lock at the same time each year that you test and replace the batteries in your smoke alarm. This will prevent any accidental lock outs. 🙂

  4. Jan says:

    Stunning is a good word to describe the transformation! Love the new look of the door – you did a great job.

  5. Pam P says:

    Great transformation! I faux finished all the interior sides of our entry/exterior doors to look like wood when we built our home 6 years ago. They were just plain white insulated steel doors and everyone thinks they are real wood until they actually touch them. Fun project though a bit time consuming. 🙂

    • Susan says:

      Yea. I definitely sweated a little on this project. I recommend going slowly and working one small area at a time. 😉 I would love to see photos of your faux-finished doors. I bet they’re gorgeous! Thanks for the feedback.

  6. Margaret says:

    This absolutely looks gorgeous! I love it. My favorite hardware is brushed bronze. The door system looks complicated to me..hmmm. Will have to look into this as I don’t like the look of my front door..I would love to try this..thanks. looks Great!

  7. Schlage says:

    Thank you so much for choosing and mentioning Schlage Connect™! Your front door transformation looks wonderful! We especially love your choice of wreath for the holidays.

    Feel free to reach out anytime with questions about your product!

  8. Love this Susan! I am dreaming of a wood grain door (well maybe not in our current home but in a future home) – so pinning this just in case I need to DIY it. And that door knob set – so pretty! A door knob can be pretty, right?? 🙂

  9. Kim R says:

    Great transformation of your door – the lockset is beautiful! The keypad would be really nice with kids at home, too. I like the faux finish on the door, too.

  1. December 13, 2014

    […] Front door transformation with paint and hardware […]

  2. April 20, 2015

    […] paint base and wiping stain create a superior, durable finish. I used this exact same technique on our front door and it has held up spectacularly well for several years. We have a dog that jumps on the door […]

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