Comments on: help! what should we do about this paneled door?

By: nato

nato — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 03:14:22 +0000

your landlord is an idiot. most landlords are, i guess.
take it down and tell him you will replace it when you move out. (its very cheap to put up drywall and paneling)
replace it with frosted glass french doors. then show him. once he sees how much nicer it looks, you probably wont have to put up the drywall when you leave.

By: Cori

Cori — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:00:12 +0000

okay, i love all the ideas.. i really dont think my landlord will let me take out the paneling!!! Maybe if i show him all of our bright ideas, then he will change his mind. If i build up enough guts, i am going to throw this out… http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.timberwindows.com/assets/webpages/french-door.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.timberwindows.com/french-doors.php&h=250&w=250&sz=14&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=ow03MCAghpAzjM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfrench%2Bdoors%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN
I think this could somehow restore how the pretty-ness of the house. Anyone have any ideas on how i could do this cheap????

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:55:00 +0000

I am with Terriann - I would take the panel out. I would not destroy it, just gently remove it. Use a tension rod to hang a curtain that frames the doorway and hides the mess left behind from taking down the wall. I would maybe offer to put it back in when you leave.

Nevermind,

I just looked at the photo again and they laid carpet around the new paneling… forget the demolition. Paint the panel to match the wall and hang a curtain. I liked the first suggestion to hang three frames over the curtain.

By: LazySmurf

LazySmurf — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:14:43 +0000

not crazed bout the curtain idea. curtains not on windows always look like you’re hiding something … or there’s a shower/tub behind it.

Love the corkboard idea. hey! it can also be a chalkboard. nail in a thin pressboard into the frame and paint it with magnetic chalkboard paint. could be very useful and nice.

try making a batch of cookies for the owners and see if you can talk them into taking that down. french doors are the best solution for that frame i think.

By: Terriann

Terriann — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 02:43:08 +0000

Your landlord is daft.

The panelling should come down so the original woodwork of the doorway can be enjoyed. French doors could be re-installed and the glass could be frosted for privacy or a curtain or shade could be hung inside the doors for privacy.

If there is not a structural reason for the panelling I would take it out and not worry about the landlord. I’m a rulebreaker I guess!

By: iloveupstate.com

iloveupstate.com — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:08:58 +0000

I love the idea of painting it, putting up a cool curtain that can be pushed back and then placing a small table/landing strip there.

By: Barb McMahon

Barb McMahon — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:03:22 +0000

I second Jackie’s idea with the paint and mirrors. I’d just add that you paint the new trim the same colour as the walls so that the original trim gets to stand out in all its glory.

By: mod*mom

mod*mom — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 06:33:11 +0000

could you talk them into replacing it with an accordian folding type door?

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:44:03 +0000

Put some cool wall paper on it (the modern no-mess types) and hang 1920s art deco type mirrors on it. Then put a slim console table in front of it and voila you have a little “designated area” !

By: jackie von tobel

jackie von tobel — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:15:31 +0000

I would paint the paneling the wall color. Then, if you hang a large mirror or mirror tiles over the paneling and then drape the whole opening with a sheer fabric you will eliminate the “black hole” created by the paneling. It will look like a large opening. Mount a decorative tie back bracket on the door frame and pull the drapery back to expose the door opening. It will look awesome!

If you need drapery ideas check out the 3000 illustrations in my book The Design Directory of Window Treatments at http://www.designdirectory4u.com.