Doors To Life

I love old doors. I'm talking about the weighty, time-worn, extraordinary icons of a seemingly beautiful life. The kind of door that you pass on the street and can't help but wonder what kind of people go through it every day. Where does it lead? How long has it been there?

Modern doors just don't have the same drama. Any former child who, in a moment of imputence, has tried to slam a hollow-core door undoubtedly came to that painful realization. It doesn't have nearly the same satisfying bang. ...And it's definitely no good when it comes to rainy days and boredom. It has no secrets to tell. With no well-loved details to stare at, where is one's mind supposed to venture off to?

My favorite days have been when I can explore new cities and just wander around. I love the skinny, small doors. I love doors with arched tops. I love the doors with aged glass that's wavy and perfect. But I think that my favorites are the doors that have circular paneling and knob handles right in the center. (There's probably a name for these, but I've got nothin'...) Dorothy Draper used these a lot in her designs, and they're all over Europe.

If someone can be in love with a door, I think I'm in love with these. I feel more chic just by walking through them, like I'm channeling a crisp fall day. And of course, in my mind I've just ridden up on my rickety vintage bicycle. You know, the one with the little basket on the front where I can keep my fresh vegetables along with the day's bread and cheese. Of course this door is ensconced within the perfect aged brick wall, against which I lean my bike as I pull an antique skeleton key out of the pocket of my impossibly fabulous yellow coat. (Did I mention that underneath I'm wearing distressed black leather riding boots, an ivory, floaty, knee-lengh dress with a black sash, and that my yellow coat has a charcoal grey silk lining? ...'Cause I totally am, and it totally does.)


Shouldn't everyone's demeanor be happier because they get to walk through one of these glorious doors every day? I definitely think so.