Anyone notice anything a little bit different about the photo below? 

If you thought "the doorknob looks different" you'd be correct! If you've been keeping up with our vestibule project, you might remember that something about the doorknob felt a little off to us after we installed the french doors. We weren't thrilled with the height of the knob, nor were we in love with the bright white porcelain knob against the backdrop of the shiny new black paint. We were feeling so uneasy about the finished result that we actually threw it out there to you, our readers, to give us your completely honest no-holds-barred feedback on the look, seen here.

The overwhelming consensus was that we should start with the easy change of swapping out the knob to a darker color. So that's just what we did. Here's a close up look of the new knob, purchased for $18 from Mowery Antiques

As much as changing the height placement of the knob was something we gave careful consideration to, we decided against it (for now) for a couple of reasons:

  • If we lowered the knob on the outside to the height that looked and felt right to us, we were concerned that the height on the inside of the vestibule would seem much too high. (This is because the inside of the vestibule is a step up from the outside.)
  • We had gone to such care to ensure a perfect high gloss enamel paint finish, we are hesitant to drill a new hole, patch the old, and touch it all up, but Alex still says we can tackle it.

So we opted to go the simpler route of a knob switcheroo, and I have to say we're pretty pleased with the result. No longer do I feel that the knob stands out like a sore thumb. Now it's part of the overall look of the entry that welcomes all who enter to our home. 

Now the final step to completing the vestibule is applying two coats of the black paint to the inside of the french doors. 

But we'll wait until after Christmas to take that on -- we wouldn't want to have to take down our exterior door decorations after all! Thanks again to everyone who weighed in on the subject. We appreciate your feedback.

Speaking of feedback, what do you think of the new darker knob? Did it do the trick? Or are we just being lazy by trying to avoid the extra work of drilling, patching and painting? You were honest with us last time...let's hear what you have to say this time around.

Comments 6

Comments

bfish
12/23/2011 at 12:10 PM
The black knob definitely does the trick; it looks great! I voted before to NOT relocate the knob and still feel the same way.

Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your DIY skills, lovely home, and other interesting stuff.
JC
12/23/2011 at 5:13 PM
Actually, since the new knob blends in so nicely now, the height issue isn't nearly as noticeable, so I think that either option is fine (leave it alone, or move it).

You're painting the interior black too? Hmmm... Really? Won't it stand out a bit against all the white walls and trim around it? I honestly thought that the inside of the door was going white.
threadbndr
12/27/2011 at 10:30 AM
I was also a 'get a black knob' voter. As I pointed out (having the exact same "door right at the top step" issue until I get my enclosed porch put back to the original open bungalow style), with this porch configuration, you'll have either a too high knob comeing in or a too low knob going out.

It looks fine now. As far as interior color, I'd match the interior wainscoating woodwork color. I think black will make the tiny vestibule visually smaller.
1/1/2012 at 11:56 PM
Love the French doors. We live in the city of Chicago and have a front French door -- that I wonder if it's crazy and unsafe -- but all has been good!
1/2/2012 at 9:53 AM
Following you from Thrifty Decor Chick- Happy New Year !! Stop by for a visit!
Elle Marie
4/4/2018 at 1:08 AM

Hi there, it looks great! I also have issue with the white "Mickey Mouse glove" white porcelain knobs sometimes. I did have a question but since this is an older post not sure you will receive. Anyway here goes: I'm not new to the whole stripping hardware in a crock pot concept. But our newest old house has porcelain knobs with paint on them (and the metal bits). Any advice about porcelain in the high heat of the crock? Don't want to damage them. Thanks for the wonderful wealth of info your blog provides. Really love it. Alt smile

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