Because the door is tucked in a bit and, at least in the photograph a bit in shadow, I am leaning towards painting it white like your trim.

Paul, Thanks for the tip! That's what I was thinking too! My friends think I should be bold and chose something that will pop, but I like the look of a crisp white door! :)

How about crisp bright yellow?

Me too! When it comes to design, the obvious choice is sometimes the best choice. Most people try to be clever and the look that they're going for begins to look a bit muddled. The human eye will always look to organize things visually and that is always a good place to start. My 2 cents on design theory.

Paul, I love it! Thank you so much for explaining that to me. Completely makes sense.

Beautiful house!! I vote white if you paint. But, a medium tone stain would be another option. Stained woodwork is such a classic element of the Craftsman style.

Dmfhistorical, Thank you so much for your kind words. That is another thing to think about! I wonder if that would be too much dark tones? But I agree, stained woodwork is classic and so pretty! The garage doors will be painted the color of the house and will have windows like the front door. I am hoping it all comes together! :)

White for sure! Our door is also receded a bit and surrounded by brick. I like it white. Love your door!

llkrdh and Chloebud, Thank you so much for your input!! I agree, I would love to see it stained first, for that very reason!! But I also like white!! Decisions, decisions! Thanks for the compliment. This change is 16 years in the making, no one has ever said anything complimentary about our house, it means so much!! :)))

Nothing complimentary...seriously? It's lovely. I would kill for that door, but my husband's still fond of the one we have. Maybe eventually! I agree a stain is classic with a craftsman, but I wouldn't want the door too dark tucked away back there.

Frank Lloyd Wright would roll over in his grave if you painted a beautiful wood, historically designed door -- white. Only natural wood look would be approved. Then again, it's your house. But I am betting it wasn't cheap. You could paint any old door white. I vote for a medium stain that enhances the wood and a good finish coat for preservation.

Chloebud, Ha! Yes, I've been wanting this door for YEARS!!!! You'll get it eventually :))) My house has no curb appeal. I'm hoping the darker colors (It was beige before) new railings, front door and garage doors will help. Plus new landscape. But that will be a while! Thanks again for your kind words. :)

Stain it. After a few years if you don't love it you can paint it white. The door is so pretty, you should at least give the grain a chance to shine. It does not have to be stained a dark color.

Missflomike, I love Frank Lloyd Wright. I used to babysit for a family that lived in one of his homes many moons ago. I would never want to make him roll over in his grave!! :)) Oh my goodness. You are making this a very hard decision. I am so thankful for this discussion.

Emmarene. I love that idea!!

The house has some trim now! :)

Love it! Can I ask the paint color. Desperately trying to figure out a color for our home. We are doing a wood stained door. I just love the look. I think it would look great with your house too!!!!

Looks great! You must be feeling really good. Hoping you stain door. It will be an excellent highlight for the whole house.

I think it would look gorgeous stained.... If you could get matching wood stained garage doors, even better!

Perfect. Stained is the preferred when you have a beautiful wood grain door. It'll stain will be a classic finishing touch.

Before staining, get pieces of wood of similar type as the door and sample the stain on the wood pieces before you commit to the final stain color. Because once you stain the door that will be it unless you want to sand it down to accept a new stain color.

And yes- lighter color to keep the stain a consistent color or natural clear coat. Over time the door will age gently.

Lovely home!

This is the same door we are getting, just gorgeous, and we are doing medium stain. Good luck!

Add a wall pergola over the garage to enhance the appearance.

Available from Lowes an Amazon $271 Easy to assemble and install.

Beverly's pergola would so NICE!

I like emmarene's suggestion...stain the door first to see how you like it. We live close to Pasadena CA which has an abundance of beautiful Greene and Greene craftsman homes. Most of them do have stained doors so try that first. You can always change it.

Hi All, Thank you so much for your kind words and input. I think I will stay true to classic craftsman and stain the door. I can always paint it white down the road :) The main house color is Anonymous by Sherwin Williams. The shingles are based on the Hardie Plank siding color Timberbark, color matched by Sherwin Williams.

Agree with that decision - a good way to go. As you said, you can always paint it down the road!