I love the wood door with the lighter stain

Thanks Beverly! You think the lighter stain would work with our house? It does look great in that other photo.

I would also need to consider the interior.

Here is what our floors look like. Maybe try to match to the lighter part of the floors?These are oak though, so will look different on mahogany regardless.

And here is an interior view of the foyer. I was thinking the black would make a nice impact (color on walls will be revere pewter).

Very simple. If you want a cheap modern look, paint it. If you want a classy expensive look, stain it.

I vote for a lighter stain. The front door is your focal point so I wouldn't stain it the same black as the rest of the trim/windows and garage door.

Also, a mahogany door is special...don't paint it. Go with the lighter stain or the Danish oil as shown by Decor and Sign, that is stunning.

I never understood this garbage modern trend to pay for expensive wood floors and then cover it up with a dark stain. Makes completely no sense. You wanna show off real wood. Go light.

@decor and sign, damn thats nice!

Lighter stain. It will add a little color to the front facade and it doesn't absorb as much heat, which makes the wood crack over time.

I have an alternative suggestion. To give the home an integrated exterior look, the most color you would want on that door is a walnut shade of stain. Yellow/reds will give the impression you haven't put the final coat on. I realize mahogany is a great wood and had I advised you early on, I wouldn't have chosen a mahogany door for your front door, especially with your exposure, but now that you have it, you can have an outstanding look with a darker stain. Use a Semi-translucent stain and the wood will come through without looking too orange/yellow. Not saying cover up the wood, and the translucent stains allow grain to show and beauty of wood to come through. I would probably mix up a couple of mixed stains and test on some sample mahogany wood to see which looks best with the black trim. Write down the "formula" for each custom mix so you know how to reproduce. So for example, one part Ebony and two parts Walnut translucent stain. I have red oak wood floors, but I used an Ebony stain to bring out the darker grains. They are beautiful.

Love the first one. Perfect. (Interesting black pots in that photo too!)

Love light wood stain for door and think black planters would go well w/it

You are welcome. You will love it.

I vote for the lighter stain of your photo too! Looks beautiful! (Decor and Sign--I hadn't heard of Danish oil but it looks great). I think the lighter stain will give you some contrast with the rest of the house. You have a great color combination of the black and limestone, let the door stand out from that. Also I don't think you need to worry about the door matching the interior floors, mixing wood tones is fine. Again, a contrast will be nice.

I also like the light wood stain. It's a lovely contrast to the black. I'd be interested in seeing how the garage door would look with the same wood stain.

Whatever else you do, please paint your downspouts the color of the house. They are NOT a design feature and should be made to disappear.

Stain and oil. Do not varnish. A dark stain and full sun exposure will make a varnished door a cause for frequent maintenance. Oiling wood have to be done almost yearly too, but oiling is only minimal maintenance. Also, mahogany is one of those woods that is inherently rot resistant.

We just finished this door with Fine Paints of Europe brilliant

@MS colours, What finish is it? How did you apply it? How much is it per pint/gallon?

Fine Paints of Europehollandlac brilliant hand brushed. Paint is available on line.

Love "Fine Paints of Europe" Great finished looks.

One caveat - these paints require using high-end application tools and techniques to get the perfect finish. Getting a qualified painter to do this is very important if you aren't familiar with doing this type finish and the prep, tools and care needed for a perfectly smooth surface. They have a website with lots of good information.

@flo, what the heck are you talking about "high end application tools"? He just said it was hand brushed. What did they use a magic brush? Maybe a real good brush. It's obviously oil based like polyurethane or has a self leveling additive chemical in it to turn out like that using a brush. You only need a .50 cent chip brush to put on oil based and get a smooth finish. The paint is also expensive as hell. You can buy good paint and put that self leveling additive in it.

FPE is unlike any paint you've EVER used. It ain't cheap. It's built different. No "leveling additives"....it ain't that simple. Depends on the paint series, but around $100 for a Eurogallon.

I've used it too. You haven't painted a damn thing until you've used this stuff. I'm dead serious.

Faron

Tony we use FPE on a regular basis and find the quality of the finish we get exceptional.

I painted "Brown Cafe" in my downstairs bathroom. Used FPE Eurolux Matte. Had a qt shipped to me.....about $45 I think???? DAMN that stuff is good! Goes on like CREAM.

Faron

Nice home. Like the natural wood look for the front door. Unless you've settled on black ...

Since I'm biased in favor of porches, have you considered adding a 3' overhang above and attached to the garage that extends beyond the garage and also creates a front porch, creating a covered walk from the front of the garage to the front door?

Have you considered painting the garage door the same color as the exterior of the home?

Tony, nothing matches FPoE That paint is spectacular . and no, no chip brush will do it for this paint. It's not a beginner paint. (meaning, painting a door with it your first time is prob not the best idea to brush)

The Hollandlac Brilliant is oil base and has the best pigments of any paint. They are also the only company to guarantee their white will not yellow. The have a hybrid line called Eco. Goes on like oil, cleans up w/water. I've used that a few times and the finish is equally beautiful.

Jane, if you are buying a mahogany door, then just do a natural spar varnish/UV protectant finish. you must get the UV varnish or oil. and yes, it will need to be done yearly if it gets full sun. Door companies will not honor warranties on wood doors unless there is a certain measure of overhead protection.

If you are doing a clear Fine Paints of Europe Yacht varnish is a great product

Front Doors · More Info

Front Doors · More Info

@MS Colours What brand and color stain is this in the last picture?

Karina, they prob don't know because he was talking about the varnish.

But it looks like Black Cherry or a dark mahogany.

you also have to consider what kind of wood the stain is going on. it will affect the final look.

If you have a dark mahogany wood, which is already red, I'd prob do a dark walnut. you don't really want to add more red to the mix.

If it's Doug Fir or oak, black cherry, rosewood or brown mahogany would be a close pick.

Thank you!