Sunday, September 19, 2010

Red Doors and a Guest Post

I have been wanting to do a post about the history of red doors for awhile now. I met a new blogger friend who did just that. So why should I reinvent the wheel? Let me introduce you to a sweet lady, Pam from Late to the Party. We met through a blog swap recently and I was fascinated by the fact that she has lost 107 pounds. Hooray for her!! Here is what is at the head of her blog:  After losing 107 pounds in just over a year, I have come to realize how very much I was missing. I may be Late to the Party, but I am doing my best to catch up in my own unique way! 
There is more to learn about her and you can visit her blog to do just that. She is a new blogger and would love to hear  from you!

Debbie, thank you for sharing  my blog with your followers on Love the Decor.  The world of blogging is fascinating to me and since I started mine just this year in June, I have had a wonderful time getting acquainted with people from all over.  It truly is a small world!
Red Doors







I can't say why, in particular, but I am partial to houses with red front doors.
   According to my research, red doors symbolize different things in different cultures.  In fung shei, a red door creates an atmosphere for prosperity, and in China, doors are painted red for the New Year to invite happiness and good luck into the home.  Ireland's red doors ward off evil spirits and ghosts.  For Catholics, red church doors embody the blood of Christ and the area beyond the door is holy, thus the symbol of sanctuary, a safe haven for all.  Lutheran churches have red doors which represent Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Thesis.  The red doors of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany is the site where Martin Luther forever changed the face of Christianity, thus beginning the Reformation.  In the American colonies, red doors symbolized hospitality.  There is also a tradition that a red front door means the mortgage has been paid off! 


   Red doors make me feel good.  Houses  with red doors make me want to see inside.  Who lives there, what do the owners do, how is it decorated?  I have been fortunate to own two homes with red doors... lucky in that the exterior colors of the houses look good with red doors.  Come to think of it, my first house and my current home share the common denominator of being painted gray and that makes the red front door just pop!  I wish I had a red door because my house is paid off, but alas, sadly, that is not and never has been the case.


   I hope that my red door conveys a welcome atmosphere.  I want people to feel comfortable and for guests to know that my house should be filled with laughter and fun and love.  When I wear red, it gives me a mental boost and I feel friendlier, more outgoing and less introverted.  My home should be the same.  
   I understand that all doors cannot be red doors.  Not all homes can sport a red door, nor would their owners be comfortable with a door that says, "hey, look at me!". Some people don't like the color red, period. But maybe if there were more red doors, our world would be a little less serious and a little more fun. 


  When I die, if the exit has a door, I hope that door is red or that heaven's door is red.  It would be a clear sign to me that crossing over to the other side isn't so bad, that there is fun and comfort and sanctuary there, too. 


    Have you given much thought to what color your front door is painted and why?  Let me know what color it is or what color you wish it were!  Most of all,  I hope you find lots of red doors in your life to, invite prosperity into your world, find sanctuary or hospitality, or just because you like red!  Whatever the reason, here's to red doors!

Thank you Pam for guest posting today!!
Just a note: This is Pam's very own door. It's so pretty

16 comments:

  1. I have also read about the luckiness of red doors. Thanks for this informative and interesting post, Ladies!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  2. Very interesting post.I love red doors as well.But I agree not every home can have a red door.My house is red brick so I have a white door with white shutters so, I dont think mine would look good with red.But I agree it gives a home a welcoming look.Especially the pic you chose lovley cozy pic.

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  3. How interesting to read about red doors, I had no idea! Our front door is currently black, which I love, but often think of changing it to a wow color:) maybe red?! hmm...

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  4. My door is white:) My roof is bright green, I guess I COULD paint the door red and it would look like Christmas! Have a blessed day, I enjoyed this info!

    HUGS!

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  5. Debbie,
    Thanks for the info on the red door. I have had my door painted red for a long time. I love it!

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  6. I like a red door myself ~ I find it very striking and eyecatching, which is good for a front door as it points everyone to it. Red wouldn't look good with my colors, but I have plans to paint my white door black to give it a little bit of ooomph!

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  7. What a great post! I love red doors, they fascinate me! What a gorgeous photograph, that red door just pops out in the mist of that beautiful falling snow! Our front door is black, it's wrought iron! Humm...a wrought iron red door... maybe~

    Enjoy your day~
    Nancy

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  8. I also love red doors.

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  9. Debbie: That picture I used is my very own red door on the front of my very own house during a snowstorm here in Atlanta a couple of years back! I'm glad that you readers have enjoyed both the picture AND the post!

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  10. Never mind the doors although I love them, red is my favourite colour!

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  11. Hi Debbie! I really enjoyed reading your post about the red door. Gives one over to reflection on many things in life. I sadly have a dark green door that was painted that when the home was built. We are not the original owners. I would LOVE a different color. Red, yellow, black, maroon anything but whant we have. But alas, the house has a creamy, yellowish siding with dark green trim and shutters. Don't get me wrong, I love green but I'm soooo tired of it. It's faded and old looking. I would like a white or off white/wheat color siding with a red door or maroon shutters and door. Oh well. I shall keep it on my wish list:) Thanks for letting us ponder the question of the red door. Have a blessed week.

    Cheryl

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  12. Red just happens to be my favorite color~It reminds me of the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross. I just happen to have a red door. My mom always says it's the most beautiful red door she has ever seen. All I know is it brings me joy everytime I go through it.
    I loved this post-I had no idea there were stories of why people painted their doors red.
    I also have 3 big stars in my house that remind me of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
    It's good to have daily reminders of who God is and what he has done for us.

    Robin~♥

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  13. I have always loved red doors too, but I have no idea why. My door is black. Love black too. I wish my door was red to signify a paid off mortgage. The history behind the red door is so interesting. Thanks for the info.

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  14. Such a fun post! And what a beautiful home with a stunning red door. I also LOVE red doors but have never had one. In our new home, we decided to start off with a stained door but I do plan to paint it red when the stain starts to fade. Can't wait! lOL!

    Donna

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  15. I am a front door addict.
    Nothing says more then the look of a front door!
    Red, Black, Blue, Purple, Pink, just add a punch of color and sweep the stoop.

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  16. Well, dearie ;),
    My front door IS red and I do absolutely love it!
    As Robin said, my red door is a reminder of my heart and Jesus' blood shed for me. My home is white, and the shutters black. The blood (red door) reminds me the the darkness (black shutters) is pushed aside and my heart is again white (siding) as snow.
    Our home's colors were planned this way to remind us:)
    Loved this very interesting post, Debbie!!

    Hugs and blessings from my heart to yours!
    ~me

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