The Door to the Past
Got some old doors? Make them work for you! 
Do you remember all those old doors I scored from the old church here in my town? You know the ones they literally “gave” me??
I finally got my act together and used them for something. I was especially partial to the white one on the right, the hardware is original, post World War II and I thought the three panels would make an excellent chalkboard.
I started by removing all the hardware. Unfortunately, when the door had been repainted, much of the hardware had been too. I made a lovely soup for dinner that night in my crock pot.
After a thorough overnight simmer, most of the paint just peeled away. Next I turned my attention to the door. I cleaned it thoroughly with TSP solution to get all the accumulated dirt and yuk off of it. Sanded it with a 220 grit, then sprayed the entire piece with my favorite primer Zinnser 123. I decided to prime this piece because I didn’t want any of the old paint coming loose and compromising the finish of my work.
I painted all three panels with Chalk board paint, and painted the remainder of the door in CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White. Two coats, sanded it until baby soft smooth with a 320 grit sandpaper, then sealed the Vintage White with 100% Natural CeCe Caldwell’s wax. If you haven’t tried this wax, then you are in for a huge surprise. It has very faint, pleasant smell, no harsh fumes, no petroleum, nothing. CeCe Caldwell’s wax is as tough as nails, but it is 100% natural. After the wax had dried, I buffed it to a lovely shine, put the hardware back on, voila! I have a chalkboard door, ready for service.
Side note: Did you know that most competitive brand’s wax is full of harsh chemicals, and even one brand contains NAFTA, which is listed as a known Carcinogen and directly linked to Cancer. Do your homework when you are using painting products, especially wax.
I love how the original hardware adds character to the door:
Check out that chippy goodness on the hinges!
And how about that plate? You don’t see that served up every day
Here is the finished product:
I wish I had room in my home to keep this door, but Suffering Husband has already placed a Moratorium on anymore chalkboards around here.
Next time you come across an old door, take it out of the past and give it new life as a memo board.
This post originally aired a bajillion months ago. However, that moratorium on chalkboards has since been lifted. Check out how I used another door for a chalk board in “Keeping It Real Holiday Home Tour” .
Moral of the story. Keep the door to the past open for all the many ways you can use an old door……
love! Old doors and chalkboard…a match made in heaven!
Love it! I still haven’t tried CeCe Caldwells even though I’ve liked the on FB for a while. I need to!
So cool, so fun. 🙂 Great job!
Karen,
Didn’t realize you had a space! How awesome, this is a dream of mine. Love your old doors. Can you ever really have enough old doors?
I have made a chalk board door very similar to your white one in my kitchen and I love it for scribbling notes or lists on. Very handy. Love yours and I hope you keep at least one.
Heavenly – literally!
Kelly
it looks so good! it made the perfect chalkboard!
I love the doors! I just purchased samples from CeCe and can not wait to try it out. 🙂
I love old doors and chalkboards, but geez, that hardware is just totally awesome! … Your space looks fabulous! I see a few goodies that would look good in my house!
Lovely! What a magical space you have, too! Wish I lived closer….it’d be dangerous for my wallet! 🙂 Blessings!
I am a sucker for chalkboard doors and even used some foam core and trim to recreate on my kitchen door (they were they ugly raised panel hollow builder grade one) …
And your space is fabulous!
🙂
Linda
Karen, you KNOW I need a chalkboard for Lauren, save me one!!
Love this!!! Such an awesome way to repurpose an old door and love the crockpot technique!! I so would not have ever thought to do that!!
Cool door! Another fabulous transformation by miss Karen.
Sounds like you are lucky to have someone keeping you from going over the chalkboard ledge. I hope you sell a lot at your sale. Looks like you have some great stuff. The church doors are fabulous. I keep thinking there are some places I should go and let them know if they ever want to replace something to call me before they go to the dumpster. Love seeing that you were able to get those. Nice!
Liz
Of course…the very first thing that caught my eye and I clicked on from my link party was yours!!!! Love it lady-hope the baseball game was a fun one!
xxx
Kim
What a perfect use for that door! PERFECT!
xo,
Shannon – aka design
Love it!! I have a door exactly like this that I almost did the same thing too, but it belongs to my land lady so I didn’t want to get in trouble. Good luck with your sale. xoxo…mONICa
LOVE this so much!! I so like old door makeovers. This is adorable!! Hope you can link up at my trendy tuesday party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/06/trendy-tuesday-4.html
Congratulations on your feature at Primp… I love your chalkboard door! Looking forward to visiting more posts on your blog…
Blessings!
Geneva
Love it lady!!
Hey you!! LOVE this door and I am sharing it at the party tonight!! Thanks for linking up at FNF! 🙂 hugs, Courtney
Featuring you again…just can’t ever get enough of your blog! XO, Aimee
Love a, luv a, luv it!!!!!
It’s wonderful.
Such a fun makeover for that paneled door!!!!!
>happy almost weekend< hugs friend 🙂
So envious of those doors!!!!!! I am so in love with old doors…
Love the new chalkboard!
Thank you Anne! I got so lucky with those doors!