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. 😉

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.)

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

Done!

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.

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:

And after:

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.