Although doors rarely provide much of a design bang, they do contribute substance to a room. Exterior doors require more heft then interior ones. Doors mediate between the public and the private and can be opaque, translucent or transparent - imposing physical, but not always visual limits.

Many people are worried about doors, especially when they are starting to build their own homes. The door and windows are structural elements generally fit into frames, and without these two vital items, a home is incomplete. 

Doors are either solid or hollow. Keep in mind that some door types and styles are mainly for exterior use. Others are used inside the home. 

Gothic doors use what is known as "frame-and-plank" construction. Vertical planks are attached to a basic frame, which provides the stabilising structure. In some cases, planks are fastened to both sides of the frame, effectively hiding the internal frame from view. The beautiful arched shaped old Gothic doors are still preserved in the University of Notre Dame, Yale and Princeton in the USA.

In Victorian houses, the external doors were invariably painted, unless they were made of hardwood. Typically they had four panels but sometimes they had two smaller glazed panels at the top. Later in this century stained and etched glass became very popular in these panels. Door furniture was often solid rather than elaborate. 

In the Renaissance period the Italian doors were quite simple, as their architects trusting more to the doorways for effect; but in France and Germany the case is contrary, the doors being elaborately carved, especially in the Louis XIV and Louis XV periods, and sometimes with architectural features such as columns and entablatures with pediment and niches, the doorway being in plain mason.

For the last few years I have been travelling to many places. Each and every place had its own preference of interior and exterior style. Over my travels, I have collected some unique door images. I was fascinated with traditional British and French style of doors and decorative windows.

While walking around Edinburgh I suddenly found some interesting traditional houses with heavy stone walls and fascinating doors and windows. First we found a deep walnut brown wooden door. The door's number was #2. The door was very graceful with traditional style of accessories, such as door-bell and lock. The traditional golden brass door bell was fascinating too. Gold, orange, russet and mahogany are all found in fall leaves and these deep, rich tones can be a wonderful source of inspiration to add vibrancy to a neutral scheme.

Next, we found another attractive door, a rather smart black one. I had never seen a black door before that. The door had the number #3 on it. Black and white is a classic combination that has been featured in many different interiors through the ages. The ancient Greeks and Romans used black and white tiles in the home or especially check board contrasting black and white tiles are a very Victorian style. 

Here the black door with gothic white design frame created a real gorgeous outlook. The black wrought iron frame was also very smart.

I was later surprised to look at a stunning red door. For me, it's like a signal and I stopped and quickly took some snaps. Red brings life and vitality to an interior space, and when we are surrounded by the grounding tones of red, orange, and gold we feel relaxed and secure. 

Red is a mover and shaker and is not for the fainthearted. It represents our life energy-the blood. Red makes a statement and encourages movement in any home. This door was framed in white wooden panels, with an arched top in gothic style. Both sides of the door had flowers to welcome guests. The door was numbered #4.

After the red, we found another soothing door that was blue in colour. It was a really sweet entrance approach. The door was numbered #5. Both sides of the door were simple, not typical Gothic style. But the simplicity of white and blue colour combination was very calming. 

Blue has quiet a peaceful spirit, a thoughtful and dignified quality. We associate blue with peace, and therefore many peacekeeping organisations around the world use it in their logos. In various cultures, blue is seen as providing a link with the heavens and the spirit, giving it an aura of protection. It is a colour that gives out a message of trust, friendship and loyalty.

At the end of our journey, we found a few more decorative doors. The door is our favourite and mandatory structural entity for our homes, marking the entries to our cherished homes. So an elegant entry door always creates joyful and welcoming ambience.

By Nazneen Haque Mimi  

Interior Consultant

JOURNEYMAN

E-mail: journeyman.interiors@gmail.com

Photo credit: Journeyman Archive