red!

A shade of Turquoise would brighten your entry.

I agree with cypress. Either a muted turquoise or a mustard yellow would be really effective. But, I would distress it so that the cool retro line detail is still seen. you definitely don't want to lose that!

Deep royal blue!!! Would look great against the color of your house. I would then consider painting that exterior light white to give that whole area new fresh look!

I vote for plain old black (BM 2132-10) in a high gloss.

I'm with Judy on the high gloss black given the color of the siding.

Glossy tangerine would really pop it out of the cove.

Glossy black is a good go-to option and I've considered that, just wanted to see if we could get some color in there because the rest of the house is soooo taupe. Here's a pic from further back for better view.

Front view

Is the door currently brown or polished wood?

Chocolate brown. And I think new hardware is in order...

Hi Arklein,

I love the door! Go with either deep royal blue like Stanton Designs suggested or marigold. For new hardware, try http://www.knobsnknockers.com.

Best,
Shari


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Deep Burgandy, black hardware.

I like the wood look. How about a mahogany stain?

I'm intrigued by the royal blue idea! Any favorites?

Have an experienced exterior painter mix http://www.earthpigments.com/products/index.cfm?Product_ID=205 with white exterior paint.

I love chartreuse against taupe

I love chartreuse against taupe

I'm voting for tangerine or turquoise.

Check this out:

http://www.juxtapost.com/site/permlink/6d027a60-d3f2-11e1-b21a-05cc4fadf534/post/love_chartreuse_for_front_door/

Install this light, or several of them lined up on the right wall and replicate the copper look on your door color and hardware.

Blue or turquoise! Chartreuse would be great as well.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful and I think I'll pick up some blue and turquoise paint samples and see what happens. This encourages me to go a bit bolder than I might typically consider. (Maybe even the chartreuse ;)

a deep purple elderberry wine color with that awesome grayed wood would be wonderful ... I like Caponata! http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/caponata. It would pick up the wines and pinks in the tile flooring and I LOVE decoenthusiaste's lighting suggestion with this color... The fixture you have there now detracts from the dramatic texture of your door. I would also consider trying to source complementary door knocker or a weathered copper door bell escutcheon in a rectangular shape.

turquoise!

Can't wait to the the "afters". LOve the door. be sure and spotlight it. As it already is painted, you can try another colour without doing great damage. I would be tempted to have it refinished as polished wood.

This is a room with a color palette that I meant to show you and may inspire you when and if you think about the chartreuse:
http://www.fschumacher.com/whatsnew/advertising/ad_modernglamour.aspx

What I notice on your extended-view photo is the wonderful reflection of the landscape in the windows, and the design of the landscape itself, and I think you should be careful about any bright color on the front door that will fight that focal point. I think your door should recede slightly. The path to your front door is very definite, and one is not confused about where to go. I like the idea of a darker color - a color that will allow a visitor to admire the design pattern on the door as they get nearer to it but does not shout to them as they approach. I also think the stoop is too crowded with plants and stuff. Go more vertical and thinner with a plant choice, and keep the stoop more open. A different wall sconce and more substantial door hardware would greatly improve the area too. i really like the wall sconce posted above by another contributor.

OMG - Decoenthusiaste: I just saw this EXACT fixture at an office I was in the other day and noticed how fabulous this was - as the exterior was manufactured stone and this was the perfect balance. I wish I knew how to post pixtures - still working on this - because there is someone from England - with a stone house - who needs THIS fixture.

Dear arklien: I don't think I have ever seen a door like this - totally FAB! Yes, I used that word.

Everyone has their opinion here - and I was going to suggest some shade of a Persimmion color - not quite SO out there as all out Tangerine, etc.

BUT here is MY proposal. I would pick the color you like (I am still thinking PERSIMMON color - a little less glaring) and IF you like the color you have chosen - what about putting a FINISH over the door like one of Martha Stewarts new METALLIC paints. By blending these two (perhaps an antiqued bronze, copper, etc) you could create the DEPTH you want in keeping the highlights of the stunning design in this custom made door - yes? The metallic over the painted door - will immediately give it a sheen which can be picked up and reflecting in the lighting you choose.

I just saw those very lights posted above on a stone sided office I was just in - and I immediately noticed them - as they looked quite stunning and did stand out. I think something like this is the perfect blend for your stone and natural wood home (which is quite lovely BTW).

I also have a favorite GO-TO for everything: VanDykesRestorers.com - please order their catalogue. They have rub on metallic paint finishes, hand forged house numbers, door knobs, door hardware, anything and everything you could want for a home and more. We have a 116 year old house - and if VanDykes does not have it - it does not exist.

ALSO - you might check out Rejuvenation Hardware on line, in Portland Oregon. They make lighting fixtures, along with complete collections of hardware, outdoor lighting, etc. Amazing stuff. All made in USA!

I would just make sure you do include MORE lighting in larger sized fixtures, and like everyone else - definitely change the hardware on the door. it should be DARK, BOLD and larger.

Please let me know what you think about adding a hand-rubbed metallic finish over the painted door - I sure would hate to see the lovely design with all its depth lost under one color of paint. It is truly a wonderful door.

Let us know. :-)

one more: You could also add a light ABOVE the door space - with a soft down-light which would highlight the door-area space?

And I do like the idea of perhaps adding some soft up-liighting in the landscape materials. This is always interesting.

Love this great feedback! I love the blues and persimmon idea (had actually considered that when sorting reds and oranges one day) and I think the light fixture from Grandin Road is perfect! I saw some really beautiful fixtures for over the door, but I think patching a hole in that older rough-hewn wood siding might be too obvious so I want to stick with the fixture location only because of that. My curiosity about a subtle chartreuse (sounds like a contradiction in terms, I know) is still piqued but I can't find one that doesn't feel too "out there", tho I admit it would go beautifully with the taupe and the green landscaping. and yes, landscape light is definitely on our improvements "to-do" list - think that would make a fantastic difference in the curb appeal! However we just did all new hardwood flooring throughout so my lighting budget is on hold til round two ;) I want to check out this other hardware site recommended above, I saw some on Rustica's site but want to shop a bit. Thanks everyone! I've gone from sort of thinking it might be easier to replace the door (tho I like it) to wanting to really enhance it! Stay tuned...

i would love to see a fire engine red or a santa fe turquoise.try to do some subtle distressing so that the high and low points of the door will really pop. whichever way you decide to go i would not do any deep or dark colors,because of the way the door is inset.great looking house,good luck!

DON'T DO IT!
Keep it wood - add colour with bursts of floral arrangements, or pots on the step.
Add better lighting...whatever you do don't touch that gorgeous door!

I was thinking blue as well! Check out Benjamin Moore, gentleman's gray:

http://www.google.com/search?q=benjamin+moore+gentleman's+gray&hl=en&client=ms-android-toshiba&tbo=u&site=webhp&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ZcanUPSpMOnSigLSgIHwCw&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=800

Cheers!
m.