Collection by Jacqueline Leahy

How To: Inviting Front Doors for Modern Homes

The front door is a sure sign of a successful journey home, and as these houses prove, modern architecture can be just as homey and inviting as its traditional counterparts.

Out on the deck, Pascal enjoys some relaxed time with their dog, taking a breather in a bit of shade while sun streams across the meadow.
Out on the deck, Pascal enjoys some relaxed time with their dog, taking a breather in a bit of shade while sun streams across the meadow.
A close-up of the renovated exterior shows the home's new, brightly-colored door in relief of the new kitchen window, whose floating shelves are just visible. Selected by Sloan Houser, the door's shade of turquiose is similar to Benjamin Moore's Americana, although with stronger hints of green.
A close-up of the renovated exterior shows the home's new, brightly-colored door in relief of the new kitchen window, whose floating shelves are just visible. Selected by Sloan Houser, the door's shade of turquiose is similar to Benjamin Moore's Americana, although with stronger hints of green.
The 1,570 square-foot home's entryway features a slatted fence that diffuses light and adds privacy to Eichler's original design. Photo by: Scott Hargis
The 1,570 square-foot home's entryway features a slatted fence that diffuses light and adds privacy to Eichler's original design. Photo by: Scott Hargis
The undulating white-cedar door is a replica of one Santiago admired at a sushi bar in Japan.
The undulating white-cedar door is a replica of one Santiago admired at a sushi bar in Japan.
The door itself is made of white oak and was fabricated by a friend. The slats on the lower half of the door put me in mind of a sunburst, but Michl says, "We went through 40 different designs, and lots and lots of sketches. We wanted something simple, but not too simple. I didn't want a literal translation of the odd angles above in the door. I wanted something that had its spirit without trying to be the awning."

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The door itself is made of white oak and was fabricated by a friend. The slats on the lower half of the door put me in mind of a sunburst, but Michl says, "We went through 40 different designs, and lots and lots of sketches. We wanted something simple, but not too simple. I didn't want a literal translation of the odd angles above in the door. I wanted something that had its spirit without trying to be the awning." Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
Exterior of the backyard studio Riley McFerrin of Hinterland Design built for his client, a children's book illustrator.
Exterior of the backyard studio Riley McFerrin of Hinterland Design built for his client, a children's book illustrator.