Bespoke In: Purple

Whether it’s the sophisticated shade of plum or a light heather or periwinkle shade, purple is one of the most popular growing colour choices for London front doors, especially over warm summer months, representing wealth, honour, royalty and creativity. So, if you’re thinking of brightening up your home’s entrance, here are some of our favourite shades of purple for exterior doors.

Why Purple?

When it comes to purple, there are hundreds of shades and hues to choose from, especially with so many tone variations. It’s easy to see why it’s such a common and attractive choice to use as a front door colour, making even the most tired-looking exteriors pop with character and style. Not to mention, it makes a quick, easy and cheap update to add a big boost of curb appeal to your home.

 

If you’ve decided to refresh your facade with a purple bespoke front door, you’ll want to pick out a shade that works well with your current exterior style. Follow these tips to choose the shade for your home.

 

Shades We Love

 

1. Plum

No other colour is quite as striking as a bold and vivid plum, and it captures the eyes of passers-by as they are instantly drawn to your vibrant facade. Not to mention, it looks stunning against any style of home, whether it’s an old traditional build or a more modern design.

2. Lilac

A lighter shade of purple with calming undertones, lilac offers a peaceful and tranquil feel to any home exterior. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider the light and delicate tones of lilac.

3. Grape

Be the envy of your block or neighbourhood with a bursting pop of colour to your home exterior. Grape is the new obsession, offering a chic and stylish look to any outdoor design. Being a brighter shade of purple, it’s important to consider the existing style of your home, as too many bright colours can instantly clash with a dramatic shade like grape. We recommend classic white trims and neutral brickwork and panels.

4. Lavender

The softest shade of purple there is, lavender creates a soothing feeling of peace, tranquillity and bliss. It’s also a great choice for spring and summer, especially coupled with gorgeous natural greenery, potted plants and hanging baskets.

5. Orchid

A purple orchid represents royalty, respect, admiration, and dignity. And it’s easy to see why. This bold shade makes a luxurious addition to the main entrance of your home, especially contrasted with white trims, natural greenery and neutral panel work.

Like what you see? Purple is a luxurious and dramatic colour to work with, but before you take the plunge, imagine your home in all seasons and consider the overall look in the area you live. It’s great to stand out, but worse to look amiss.

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Installing Front Door Hardware

Whether it’s time for a brand new Bespoke front door, or just an update by replacing some worn-out hardware, we’ve put together a few handy tips for when it comes to installing a new handle and lock for your door.

As well as looking fresh and clean, adding a new handle and lock system is a great way to boost curb appeal to your home, showcasing the fact it is up-to-date, well-looked after, and also safe and secure.

To begin, it’s vital to ensure your new handles will be the perfect fit. Firstly, consider the dimensions of the backplates to ensure they’ll cover old existing holes and fixtures. Secondly, check the backset. This is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the borehole for the doorknob assembly. Most handles you can purchase are compatible with the two standardized backset dimensions of 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches.

1. Installing the Latch

Insert the new latch assembly into the existing borehole in the edge of the front door. Make sure the latch bolt is facing in the correct direction. By this we mean, the curved side of the latch bolt should be facing the strike plate on the jamb as the door is closed. Secure the latch assembly’s faceplate to the door with the screws.

2. Joining the Handles

Align the exterior handle on the door by inserting the spindle or axle on the handle through the latch cylinder at a 90-degree angle. Then, carefully place the corresponding doorknob or lever on the interior side of the door, fitting the two parts together. It should feel slightly snug when the two parts join.

3. Deadbolts

Fit the latch bolt into the upper cross borehole, making sure the top is facing up. Then, screw the faceplate in to secure. Install the deadbolt mechanisms on the inside and outside, making sure the keyed cylinder part is on the outside of the door. The inside thumb turn should point up when unlocked, and point towards the door jamb when locked.

4. Installing Strike Plates

Align the strike plate for the handle against the door jamb and attach using a couple of screws. Ensure that the lip of the strike plate is facing the direction in which the door opens out. Next, align the plate for the deadbolt, drill your holes, and install the strike plate to the door jamb with two screws for extra reinforcement.

5. Test

It’s vital to test your new handle and locks work correctly, or there could be danger of your house not being securely locked up if you should go out or lock-up for the night. Do some quick tests by shutting the door and checking to see if the handle sticks or binds. If it does, make sure the latch faceplate is flush with the door edge and doesn’t rub against the strike plate on the jamb. If the latch bolt isn’t properly aligned with the hole in the strike plate, remove the strike plate and use a chisel to extend the mortise in the direction needed to realign the bolt with the hole. Again, screw the plate back on and test the fit.

Don’t be fooled!!!

Use company with 1st class Accoya timber.

We often get asked why our doors can be more expensive when compared to other companies and brands. And in order to answer this question, we decided to do some research into other products available on the market. Simply, at Bespoke Front Door, we use 1st Class Accoya, which typically has twice the value of a 2nd Class Accoya – which is the most commonly used material for other companies to offer better price. By using 1st Class Accoya, we can ensure a higher quality and longer-lasting door that withstands the test of time, throughout even the poorest weather conditions. By investing in 1st Class Accoya, you are saving money in the long-run, without the need for constant maintenance or replacement after just a few years, which is common for cheaper materials such as 2nd Class Accoya timber or MDF panels. Our priority will always be in using the best quality timber to provide the highest quality doors for our customers.

Please have a look at below pictures to compare wood quality.

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Thank you for your support and understanding,

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Bespoke Front Door LTD

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Top Tips For Painting Your Front Door

Sometimes, all it takes to fall in love with your home exterior all over again is a simple and inexpensive update – like a brand new coat of paint for your London front door. Whether you opt for a brand new vibrant colour, or just a fresh coat of a classic neutral, a new paint job can transform any tired-looking exterior into a beautifully vibrant facade, with instant curb appeal.

Better yet, you don’t need an expert or any fancy skills to tackle this fun weekend-project. We’ve outlined some helpful and easy-to-follow steps to help you on your way.

 

What Do I Need?

First things first, decide on your new door colour and have the paint readily available. Once the obvious is out of the way, put aside some painter’s tape, a sponge, a block of sandpaper, paintbrushes and foam rollers, paint primer, and some semi-gloss for the perfect finish.

 

1. Preparation

In order to achieve the perfect coat, we recommend removing the door and placing it on a table or a pair of sawhorses in the garden, if you can. By doing this, it prevents drips or runny paint marks. It also means you can remove hinges and any other hardware to avoid getting paint in the hinges.

2. Cleaning and Sanding

Before starting any serious work, make sure to scrub down the door and remove any dirt or grime with a wet sponge. Then, once dry, lightly sand the surface to remove any build-up. It’s important to make the surface of your door as clean and smooth as possible in order to produce a neat and even paint job.

Once you have finished sanding, we recommend wiping down with a wet sponge once again to remove any dust. Again, leave the door to dry.

 

3. Tape

Apply painter’s tape to all the areas of the door you want to avoid, including glass panels, letterboxes, hinges if still attached. This will help to protect those elements when it comes to painting.

 

4. Prime

Apply the paint primer to your door using a foam roller, gradually working your way from one side of the door to the other. For trickier areas, like in between panel grooves, use a paintbrush. Allow the door to dry completely before painting.

 

5. Painting

The next step is to start painting! Begin painting by coating the panels before heading on to the mainframe. Then, start to paint any vertical or horizontal panels with a foam roller, ensuring you get every nook and cranny. Allow to dry fully and then apply a second coat for a flawless finish.

6. Reinstall

After you’ve applied your paint and gloss, remove the tape and allow the door to dry. Then, you can begin reinstalling your door and attaching all the hardware. All that’s left is to enjoy your new front door colour and decorative accordingly with your personal preferences!

 

Bespoke In: Red

Whether it’s the bold classic of a fire-engine red or a subtly muted pastel, red is one of the most popular colour choices when it comes to front doors. So, if you’re thinking of livening up your home’s entrance, here are some of our favourite shades, and our top tips, on how to source out the best shades for red front doors.

Why Red?

From scarlet, crimson, burgundy, ruby or even coral, there are hundreds of shades and hues, to choose from, and red is a colour with some seriously dramatic tone variations. It’s easy to see why it’s such a common and attractive choice to use as a front door colour, making even the most tired-looking exteriors pop with character and style. Not to mention, it makes a quick, easy and cheap update to add a big boost of curb appeal to your home.

 

If you’ve decided to refresh your facade with a red  bespoke front door, you’ll want to pick out a shade that works well with your current exterior style. Follow these tips to choose the shade for your home.

 

Shades We Love

 

1. Candy Apple Red

This bold and vivid shade of red brings some serious curb appeal to many stylish Victorian properties across London, as well as more modern builds. The brightness of the shade boasts a creative look and is the perfect accompaniment to white trims and chrome fittings.

 

2. Cherry Red

A deeper shade of red with richer undertones, Cherry Red offers a vibrant yet moody feel to any home exterior. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider boasting a beautiful cherry red facade.

 

3. Burgundy

This deep and rich tone is an absolute classic, making a sophisticated and stylish transformation both quickly and easily. Bold burgundy shades also make wonderful accompaniments to vivid greenery and brickwork – therefore a superb choice for traditional Victorian properties across the capital.

 

4. Salmon

The latest trend in… pretty much everything. Salmon red/pink is a refreshing and unique shade that will complement any property style beautifully. It’s also a great choice for summertime, especially when paired with natural greenery, foliage, hanging baskets, and summer wreaths.

 

 

5. Pastel Reds

Last but not least, if you’re a fan of the more muted and subtle shades, why not opt for a pastel red? With just a delicate hue of colour, a lovely rust red or darkened coral-esque shade can make a great contrast with lighter brickwork and panelling, especially when complemented with clean white trims.

Like what you see? Red is a fabulous and easy colour to work with, but before you take the plunge, imagine your home in all seasons and consider the overall look in the area you live. It’s great to stand out, but worse to look amiss.

 

Let’s Talk Brick

The Best Door Colours To Complement Brick Houses

 

When it comes to a British home’s exterior, the typical style is usually composed of brick, and it’s one of those looks that enhances deep-rooted character and a sense of history – especially in old houses. That’s why it’s so important, and difficult, to pick the perfect door colour to complement the aesthetic. We’ve put together our top tips to help you choose the right one for your home’s exterior.

With so many colours to choose from, deciding on a single shade for your front door can be a challenge. Follow these simple steps for choosing a bespoke front door colour that brings out the beauty in your brick house.

 

Top Tips

1. Stay True To Classic Neutrals

While a bold and vivid paint colour is a great opportunity for artistic expression, and a chance to get creative, it’s often simpler to stick to a classic neutral palette that will stand the test of time. Opt for greys, browns and taupes to pair nicely with brick tones, and complement your home’s natural beauty and brickwork, rather than distracting from it. and enhance some serious curb appeal.

2. Work With Nature

Even though you may be opting for a neutral door colour, you can use natural greenery to your advantage in order to create hues of colour. Deep greens, blues, and earthy browns all work a treat when it comes to door paint, and works well with the natural tones of the brick to tie it all together.

3. Test Your Theories

If a few different colour variations have caught your eye, and you’re having a hard time deciding on a shade – take a walk. Make mental notes about the similar style and colour combinations used by neighbours and other streets in your area. And, once inspired, try out a few different colours before settling for one. We all know too well that a shade of paint on a mobile phone or computer screen doesn’t quite honour the way dry paint looks in natural sunlight. Experiment and test your theories against the brick before deciding on your next colour.

 

Our Recommendations

1. Colours for Red Brick

The good thing about red brick is that nearly every neutral door colour you could choose would compliment it beautifully. Typically though, dark and contrasting hues make a stunning choice. Whether it’s a deep hunter green, navy blue or black, when coupled with a lighter colour trim, it really pops from the red brick without overwhelming that classic British style. For more subtle tones, rich taupes and chocolate browns also work really well alongside the natural red tones of the brick.

2. Colours for Grey Brick

For both traditional and more modern builds across London, you’ll notice that grey brick can be a common variable. So, when it comes to door colour, it can be tricky to choose the right tone. Sure, darker or lighter greys will complement the brick well, but how much grey is too much grey? To avoid creating a wash-out of grey tones, aim for a subtle touch of colour to work alongside it, allowing the colour of the door to contrast with the natural tones of the brick. We recommend black, navy blues, olive greens, or for lovers of the more bold and vibrant, why not try turquoise or pastel pinks?

3. Colours for White Brick

Although less common than your red and grey brick tones, white brick also creeps up every now and again. And even though you could say ‘white works with anything’, it’s easy to create a washed-out look with the wrong shades. A jet black could be too much of a contrast, while bright vivid colours could be blinding to the eye. Having said that, white-washed brick facades have a multitude of attractive London front door options, but you should opt for muted colours. Think warm greys, pastel blues/greens, natural earthy browns etc.

 

Selecting a pleasing colour palette for brick homes can be tricky, but warm neutral colours, when coupled with the right trim options, can make for a calming entrance with character.

5 Stunning Dark Front Door Colours to Inspire You to Go Bold

You don’t need to go bright and colourful to be bold. In fact, if brighter tones aren’t your style, why not consider a more sophisticated statement with classic blacks, navy blues, greys, or rich and natural wood tones? It’s the perfect solution if you’re looking to create a look that offers a little more moodiness and charm, and not to mention, a richly toned dark hue painted on your home’s front door makes for a very polished and classy look.

To help you modernise your facade with a stylish new bespoke front door colour, we thought we’d compile 5 of our favourite colours for creating a striking and timeless design for your home. It’s proof that you don’t need to go bright to go bold, or to give your home an entirely new look.

Black

Think about that little black dress, but instead, flaunt it on your home’s exterior. There is not a single colour combination more versatile than a classic polished black. This beautiful high-impact basic of a colour works great with almost any exterior materials, whether it’s coupled with white brick, red brick, wood tones, panels and more. We just love how it creates a dramatic curb appeal, drawing eyes in as they pass by.

Dark Grey

You can’t go wrong with grey, and especially a darker and deeper grey tone, because it creates such a sophisticated and timeless look. It’s also a versatile choice as it suits more traditional and period properties as well as modern designs – and it’s also an all-year-round favourite, creating wonderful winter vibes later in the year, while beautifully complemented with lights and greenery throughout the summer.

Olive Green

A darker green tone like olive green is a saviour of style and class when it comes to a home’s exterior, preventing it from fading away into the background. Allow it to pop with white trims and other elements to complement to complete the aesthetic – and use these tricks to your advantage throughout both summer and winter months.

Maroon

An all-round win-win, a beautiful maroon paint makes for a flashy colour without the overwhelming brightness of other red tones. When surrounded by a light trim colour and complementing window frames and accents, a maroon door will create a distinguishing look to the exterior of your home, and drum up some serious curb appeal.

Navy

A crowd-favourite, navy blue always makes a striking addition to the front exterior of your home. A lovely muted navy immediately draws eyes to that delicate hue of colour, without creating too much of a ‘serious’ look. Not to mention, it works well with endless exterior designs and materials.

Choosing the right door colour can make all the difference, transforming a basic home exterior to a striking entranceway and focal point. Play around with deep and rich dark-coloured tones, and add a pop of colour with the symmetrical placement of planters, lighting, and hardware to give your home a balanced, eye-catching appeal.

Bespoke In: Green

In the spring, green is a top favourite amongst the designers and craftsmen at Bespoke Front Door. We just love how a green door can boast a warm welcome, as well as calm and collected vibes. In fact, green is often recommended to homeowners who are trying to enhance curb appeal in order to sell their home, resulting in an increased demand for green.

 

Having been a popular choice since the Victorian period, if you’re planning to do just one thing to enhance your home’s attractiveness, investing in a bespoke front door finished in a shade of green could be an inspired move.

 

First of all, consider the shade of green and have a think about what tone would complement the age and style of your home’s architecture and surroundings. If you’re not sure which shade of green to paint your bespoke wooden doors, our designers will be happy to help.

 

We love…

Natural Sage

Softer shades like a natural sage or mint green are great choices for the exterior of Georgia and Victorian homes, contrasting beautifully with classic brickwork or white plasterwork. You can enhance the colour even further by incorporating some natural greenery to the surroundings of your door. Think potted plants, foliage or hanging baskets.

Dark Racing Greens

This was a classic choice back in the 18th and 19th century, making it a traditional and iconic design that is still commonly used in and around London today. It makes a lush and powerful statement to any period home, especially when complemented with timeless polished brass door furniture, or even chrome fittings if you’re looking for a more contemporary edge.

Muted and Pastel Greens

One of our favourite shades would have to be pastel shades of green. It’s subtle, elegant and also enhances positive vibes for your home. The gentle shades of muted greens work beautifully against traditional red brickwork and also makes a smart companion for stained glass door panels.

Olive Greens

Rich, grounded and glamorous. Olive tones are a superb choice for London townhouses in need of a more substantial and sophisticated look – especially when contrasted against iconic black and white porch tiles. Again, polished brass door furniture is a timeless choice, but chrome fittings also provide a clean and more modern appearance.

Handpainted

All of our Bespoke front doors are handcrafted and manufactured from strong and durable, hard-wearing timber that is guaranteed for at least ten years. We use Accoya® for these properties, renowned for its longevity and durability.

 

After the design concept,  but before each project leaves our workshop, our designers professionally and flawlessly apply your chosen paint colour by hand, ensuring no brush strokes or drip marks. The combination of the timber we use and paint we apply makes for a finished door that will withstand wear, tear and the elements. When the paintwork is of such good quality, a quick wipe with a damp cloth is all the care needed to ensure your door remains ‘evergreen’.

The Parts of Your House You Definitely Want to Check After Winter

The winters and snow are not fans of your house. Both of them can do some serious damage to your house. Harsh winters can affect all kinds of buildings apart from humans and animals. The cold wind is a source of precipitation which can cause water sources to freeze, and put a strain on your house. As unforgiving as winters are, they can bring a world of trouble for you when they finally end.

There are several problems caused by winters, mainly to the foundation of the house, roofs, etc.

Here are some parts of your house that may be potentially damaged by the cold and should definitely be checked out.

The Foundation

The foundation of the house is the most important part of the house because it is what your house rests on. A strong foundation means a strong house. However, the cold breeze of winter can cause some serious damage to foundations which could ultimately turn your house into a hazard.

Winters can freeze the soil under your house, making it extremely hard instead of soft and supportive. This freezing of soil can cause irreparable damage to the foundation of your house if left unattended. Hairline fractures in the concrete can develop into cracks, causing structural issues which could next affect the walls of the house

Therefore, it is best to hire a professional to check for frost heave, and if found, attend to it timely.

The Pipes

The piping of your house is also an integral part that needs to be regularly checked, especially during and after winters.

Low temperatures can cause water to freeze quickly, especially drainage systems. When this happens, the incoming flow of water increases in pressure and puts a strain on the pipes. This additional pressure and force significantly increase the chances of the bursting of pipes. What’s more, the pipes themselves can freeze up or break due to the cold. Hence, it is a must to check the whole discharge system for any damage at the hands of winter.

Front doors

All kinds of doors, be it interior or exterior, are damaged by winter. However, the front doors bear the brunt of the harsh winters, especially in London.

London front doors bear the brunt of nature’s harshest breeze and cold. If not protected, the cold winds or moisture-laden fog can cause period front doors to contract as well as crack. What’s more, Victorian front doors can absorb rain and precipitation and be damaged internally which is why your front doors need the proper protection to handle everything nature throws at you.

The Roof

Roofs face a greater threat than front doors during the winter season. They face the harshest challenges in the form of wind, rain and the cold. The harsh winters can do a lot of damage, cause cracks as well as weaken the structure of the house as well as absorb drizzle and precipitation. Hence, it is important to protect your ceilings to the utmost.

Bespoke In: Pink

With an endless spectrum of colours to choose from, it’s one of the hardest decisions to make throughout your bespoke front door project.

We believe that every home is completely unique, and so each door should represent your home’s true character and personality. The best way to do this is with a paint job.

This year, more customers than ever before are making statements of style with pastel shades – especially pink – and we love it! Our pink Victorian front doors have seen unprecedented levels of demand and the colour – in all of its hues – is perfect for adding instant curb appeal.

Pretty In Pink

With pink having a major moment in interior design, it seems to have ventured to the exterior of our homes too. And why not? Pink is a versatile and fresh choice compared to neutral colours and does wonders to bringing a tired-looking home to life again.

There are, however, many shades of pink to choose from. It’s especially important to get the right shade of pink to perfectly capture the overall mood and style of your home. Popular choices are dusty, pastel and baby pinks as opposed to hot pinks or bubblegum pinks, but each one can beautifully complement features such as white pilasters, the greenery that frames an entrance and original monochrome tiling – a popular feature on pathways and doorsteps of Victorian homes.

Of course, pink in all its forms has many positive associations, signifying creativity, love, and passion. By using this playful colour on your front door, it adds personality and panache, boosting your homes curb appeal and makes stepping inside all the more inviting.

Shades We Love

1. Powder Pink

This beautiful pastel shade brings serious curb appeal to many stylish Victorian properties across London. The blush shade has a soothing finish and is the perfect accompaniment to warmer whites and polished chrome fittings.

2. Raspberry Seriously Ripples

A deeper shade with more rich undertones, raspberry pink offers a bold and moody vibe to any front door. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider letting raspberry ripple.

3. Candy Pink

This deep dusky pink is playful and creative, beautifully complementing vivid greenery and brickwork perfectly. We especially love this shade on classic Victorian properties, especially when contrasting with tiled porches and entrance walkways.

4. Coral Pink

The latest trend in… pretty much everything. Coral Pink is a fresh and eye-catching shade that complements any property style beautifully. It’s also a great choice for springtime which will soon be upon us, as it contrasts perfectly with natural greenery and foliage. It’s time to get those hanging baskets up and out.

Like what you see? Pink is a relatively easy colour to work with, but before you take the plunge, imagine your home in all seasons and consider the overall look in the area you live. It’s great to stand out, but worse to look amiss.