I’ve mentioned Dutch doors on this blog so often in the past year that it feels like a refrain: Dutch door, Dutch door, Dutch door. I don’t regret it — the Great Dutch Door Transformation is about to change the feel of this house in a big way.
Our house is a very fine little home, but I wanted more than “fine.” It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. I’m not aiming to create the most luxurious or magazine-perfect house on the internet; I want a home that feels like mine — a place with character, personality, and charm.
When we moved in we didn’t inherit a house full of obvious charm points, but we did get a great blank slate. And blank slates are full of possibilities. The Dutch door has helped refine my design decisions — it’s setting the tone not just for the kitchen remodel but for the whole house.
If your home lacks a single standout feature, choosing one distinctive element to be your signature can make a big impact. Claim that feature as your starting point and let it guide other design choices. I’ve written before about the value of a “signature style” piece. Just as you might rely on a favorite piece of jewelry or a go-to accessory in your wardrobe, a home’s signature piece simplifies decisions and elevates everything around it.
Think about what could serve as a signature piece in your home. It doesn’t have to be limited to one item — I mix many elements into my spaces — but identifying at least one standout feature gives your home a recognizable personality. For this house, that signature will greet you as you enter: the Dutch doors. Of course, a signature could be anything — a memorable buffet, a striking rug, a unique table — whatever makes a strong visual statement and sets the mood for the rest of the house.
There are many door styles that could have worked, but Dutch doors feel right for this home. They inspire an image that matches the character I want to build here.
Dutch doors have a wonderful personality while remaining humble. They are unassuming yet charming, unique without being flashy. They aren’t closed off or standoffish; they feel open, welcoming, and full of character, inside and out.
I think a Dutch door perfectly captures the spirit I want this house to have, which is why it’s my chosen signature piece.
As for colors, our brick house will soon receive a fresh coat of soft white paint (exact shade to be decided). The kitchen Dutch door will be a shade of blue, painted inside and out. The front Dutch door might match that blue or echo the shade we used on the inside of our previous front door and kitchen cabinets. Stay tuned for this little brick house to show a spunkier side soon.
What is your home’s signature piece?
PS. I’ll share more details about our specific Dutch doors in an upcoming post.
Related Posts:
Your Signature Style
Dutch Door Inspiration