One of my favorite morning rituals is to take the dogs for long, leisurely walks. It’s a friendly way to catch up with neighbors, as well as find out what’s new and exciting. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to study the neighborhood decor – see what paint colors work with, say, a brick construction or white clapboard.

Recently, I’ve been thinking of adding a storm door to the back entrance of our home. Ideally the glass panels could be replaced with screens during warmer months – think energy conservation during winter and breezes without bugs from spring to fall.

So with camera in hand, I’ve been snapping away these past few weeks. The storm doors that grace these homes (many historic) are not only attractive, but thoughtfully appointed.

First up is this handsome stucco home with a custom storm door. Notice how its six-panel design mimics the paneled door behind. Even the sizes of the rails and stiles are the same on both doors.
ABOVE: The grand portico with pediment over substantial columns gives this traditional brick colonial a stately presence. I really like the unified cream color scheme and storm’s simple design which doesn’t compete with the sidelights, fanlight, etc.
On this lovely stone and clapboard cottage, there is a similar but more intimate portico. The above photo shows the actual screen door.
Through the magic of Photoshop, I beefed up the central rails and stiles, and moved them to align with the sidelights – see below. I think it looks cleaner and more cohesive with the overall architecture.
ABOVE: An early Federal in Castine, Maine. It has a similar 8-panel door with the same storm design as the previous home.
A historic white clapboard with a beautiful Chinese Chippendale storm door. If mine, the upper glass pane would be replaced with a screen during the summer months. I’d keep the bottom part glass because I know my dogs would puncture a screen as soon as they saw a squirrel.
Here is another Chinese Chippendale design.
Another white-on-white ensemble.
Definitely not white here! I actually think the marigold yellow is quite striking, cheerful and unforgettable.
Look at this confident combination of deep blue, tan and orange on this brick beauty! GORGEOUS!! (Hey, I like color, too.) I bet the inside decor is stunning.
Here are a couple of charming Victorian storms with spindles.
This historic gem is located in Castine, Maine. Looks like Queen Anne architecture to me – anyone know?
A grand Tudor with bespoke arched doors. I love the house number mounted on a back plate that is also arched.
Two wonderful doors from my PINTEREST boards.

And this is our back door located in the mudroom addition designed by Stephen Muse of Muse Architects. I’m thinking of a custom storm door with 3 panes – maybe the bottom with a “X” design? Maybe not? To be continued…

Thanks for your visit!

To all MOMs, have a lovely Mother’s Day 🙂
Loi