A Salvaged Door Speaks of Family History


My grandparents spent most of their 64 year marriage in the same home.  It was a beautiful, century old wood house in the heart of the city.  This home not only held precious memories of their lives and the countless hours I spent there visiting but I also had the privilege of living there for several years after they had to move out.Vnine

Unfortunately, their home had to be torn down several years ago.  Before it was though, I had the opportunity to salvage a door from one of the bedrooms along with a few other things.salvaged_door_from_old_homeI had initially intended for the door to become a headboard for my bed but as time passed, I decided I wanted to use the door in a way that was more reflective of it’s original purpose.

Before I could use the door, it had to be cleaned up.  Being over a 100 years old, there were several layers of paint on it including some that had lead in them.

I love chippy paint and normally wouldn’t touch old paint because I love the look of it but the paint on this old door was peeling and falling off.  I did not want to have the lead paint chips all over my bedroom so spent hours stripping, sanding and cleaning the original paint off of the wood.

Once I had it as far down as I could go without hurting the wood, I sealed the door with a clear coat and then gave it two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White.  Now, the door was ready finally ready to be used in my Master Bedroom.  salvaged_door_used_as_decorI had this beautiful bird cage frame that my sister had given me for my birthday (she knows how much I love birds!) and it was perfect addition to accent the door. bird_cage_photo_frameI didn’t need to do anything to the frame except add a picture of my mom sitting in front of her childhood home, the house the door had come from, and some burlap ribbon to the top to hang it by.  salvaged_door_with_antique_photo

Now I have a picture of my mom, in a frame from my sister, hanging on a door from my grandparent’s home.  Scan 2015-10-24 0005Every time I see it I can’t help but feel connected to a bigger picture of family, memories and love.

Linked to:

{Handy Man, Crafty Woman}  {Katherines Corner}  {Knick of Time}  {Patina Paradise}
{The Crowned Goat}

5 Comments on " A Salvaged Door Speaks of Family History "

  1. Lisa

    What a special door that is, full of family and special memories. It’s great when we can reuse old items and find new purposes for them. I love the concept and practice it all the time.

    1. Lisa

      Me too Mary! I love when I can reuse something and when it has such history and meaning it means even more 🙂

  2. Lisa

    Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop

  3. Lisa

    Great idea, love how you used it!! Love that door!

    1. Lisa

      Thanks so much! I am so happy to be able to reuse and save the door! Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, Lisa

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