As you can tell, I finally got my closet doors installed. I’m sort of embarrassed that it took me over two months to complete the installation. However, it’s not totally my fault. But we’ll get to that in a minute.
Anyway, the doors are hung and I absolutely love how they turned out. I purchased both the doors and track system from Rustica Hardware. I decided to go with them because they offered a bypass door system. With a traditional barn door system you need room on one side of the opening to slide the door while it’s open. As you can see, I didn’t have that option, so a bypass system was essential.
I had originally hoped to find some old barn doors, but the opening of the closet was about a foot taller than a typical door. I even looked at solid wood doors at Lowes and Home Depot, but nothing fit. I went with the barn doors from Rustica Hardware since they could be custom made to the size I needed.
Currently, the doors are unfinished. That’s because I have yet to decide how to finish them. I also need a nice warm day so that I can work on them outside without getting paint / stain all over my floor. Right now I’m leaning toward a simple white wash. I originally thought a barn red would be fabulous, but I think it would be way too much for this space.
Like I said, I’m super pleased with how they turned out, but knowing what I know now, I probably would not have chosen this particular brand for a few reasons. First, the whole system was kind of pricey. Secondly, the directions for putting the rail system together were beyond frustrating. That was a major factor in why it took me so long to get the doors hung. Every time I went to work on it, I felt extremely overwhelmed. However, they are done and hung and I am really happy. Now I’m waiting for a nice day to get the finish on the doors.
I also need to figure out a better organizational system for the closet. I was going to show more, but It’s a hot mess at the moment. I need to box up a few things for donating and then figure out exactly what needs to be stored in this space. Once I get to that point, I’ll give you a peek inside.
What do you think? Any suggestions on how I should finish the doors?
PS. Today over on BHG’s Delish Dish I’m sharing a recipe for these homemade Peanut Butter Brownies. They are from scratch and they are to die for! You can check them out and get the recipe here.
Love love love those doors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the doors! Perfect for the space. I like the whitewash idea. Shows the wood grain for interest but doesn’t absorb any light.
I, too, love the doors…I’ve never seen this style with the bypass. Good for you. If you do anything to your closet doors I would only apply to the verticle pieces and leave the horizontal pieces alone.
I also like the whitewash idea.
LOVE IT!!!!. The whitewash is perfect for your space and in the future if you want to change it, you could always go red. I wish I had somewhere to use those doors. I don’t think I ever noticed your light fixture, it is wonderful. Could you post information on that? Thanks again for your great decorating ideas.
The doors are awesome! Kudos to you for sticking with and getting them up, despite the awful directions!
I love the way they look right now – my suggestion would be for a paste wax finish so that they are satiny smooth, but retain the color and look of the unfinished wood. Right now, the doors brighten the already wonderfully light space and keep a natural element that echoes the flooring.
Nicely done!
PS:
Now then, um seriously…you made me do MATH to get my comments posted. Naughty boy. VERY naughty!!
White wash is never wrong…. But what about staining a cool design into the doors? The ultimate art project! Check out this post from Beth at Sawdust and Embryos (I know!) to see what I mean.
http://www.sawdustandembryos.com/2012/07/burn-pile-buffetpart-2-using-stain-to.html
It looks AMAZEBALLS. Whitewash is always nice, but I’m envisioning them in black – either glossy and sleek or roughed up with a little barn red showing through (or dry brushed on after the fact). I’m sure whatever you decide to do will be beautiful. PS Love the acrylic table too!
finish up with a furniture grade paste was or a matte sealer. idk where you bought/found that acrylic table, but i am in love with it!
I love the doors!! I’d paint them white or stain them dark. Can you tell I’m indecisive? 😉
Your barn doors literally stopped me in my tracks!! It might have taken a while to complete but it was well worth it!!! Amazing!! Oh and can you bring me one of those brownies? Xo, ~Kathy
I like the natural color they are now. I also like the red idea too, but I really like the natural wood with your color scheme. I’d just finish it naturally.
THat’s good to know! I was looking at them but the price tag made me hesitate. We plan on moving so I don’t want to spend a lot but our bathroom area has like 4 doors in one area and it drives me nuts. So glad I’m not the only one to get frustrated by projects sometimes!
And I’m kind of liking it unfinished 😮
did you find them cheaper elsewhere?
The doors are awesome. I’ve been seeing this look around lately and I love it.
I would love to do something like this.
Pleasure to browse around.
Have a great week.
Your doors look great. I would love to install some in my home. Thanks for being honest about how hard they were to install. Sometimes people make things out to be a lot easier than they are.
I admire your stick-to-it attitude. Well done on the doors. You should be very proud of yourself! I’m a new follower on Instagram and love your posts. Keep them coming. ~Ann
I think your new barn doors look great! I especially like how the hardware for the barn doors really pick up on your industrial light fixture!!
I was going to comment on the doors but then your post said something about boxing a few things up for donating and I had to catch my breath; I love all of your designs/ideas/creative insight and posts, so I imagine the kind of donating you do is full of AMAZING treasures. So, if you have anything you want to give away, especially to a new home owner (wink wink) – I’d be glad to take it off your hands!!! Just saying….
Congrats on the doors – a job well done.
Lovely! I’d go with a deep navy or cobalt ORRR a poppy read if you want to be adventurous! I see a lot of primary colors and black and white in your decor so I think those colors would look awesome!
The doors look amazing and I love the black iron hardware and the way it works with the curtain rods and the coffee table. As for the finish on the doors, I second Annie’s idea of the paste wax finish. Annie was spot on with her vision. You have plenty of white so I don’t see a whitewash finish adding anything special to the space and you can always paint the doors later if you really feel the urge. For now I love the natural color of the wood and a smooth waxy finish would be beautiful.
Thanks for your honesty regarding the installation. I hope you had an extra set of hands, it looks like a big project but one with a beautiful end result.
I love those doors!!! I think I have door envy!!!! I agree with Shelly, I like the idea of color…. BUT… A compromise could be a color wash. You chose your color make it a wash, then you can still see the wood grain and finish it off with a clear wax, waxing cream, or if you wanted the wash to be “richer” you could even add a dark wax!!!
I love them just the way they are. The photo of the acrylic table with the plant looks like they
are floating in mid air. So cool. Just, perhaps, protect the wood but don’t darken it. But you
are a better expert than myself.
I love those doors just the way they are!! Beautiful!
Love these doors. Love them natural…but I think a pop of color would be great! You have a lot of white going on already. How about a color hue to match the aqua pot on the table across from the doors? That color done in a wash/drybrush would be great! Or paint a strong color and whitewash over it to tone it down?
I love your sense of style and design. Thanks so much for sharing. Oh…I’m sure my hubby will thank you too…he’s a big PB and Chocolate fan! Plan to try your brownie recipe! Thanks and happy painting! (and baking!)
The doors are gorgeous! Money well spent.
I really like the new barn doors. I have been thinking about some for my master bath since I can’t put in a pocket door because of plumbing and electrical inside the walls on both sides of the doorway. What is the wall color in the room with the new doors, is it the same as in the office with large calendar?
i kind of like them the way they are. 🙂
Those doors are fantastic in that space. I love the old fashioned pocket doors too.
The doors look amazing. I wanted a barn door system for my closets but didn’t have the room on either side so I thought I couldn’t swing em. I had no idea they had some on a bypass system. Thanks so much for sharing this. Now I know it can be done.
WOW! The entire space looks amazing!!! Sooooo jealous! 😉
I love the barn doors!!!!!!…LOVE!!!!!!…I also love the light fixture in the room. Please share where you found that, or how you created the light fixture.
It’s from Pottery Barn. I bought it about 5 years ago. I don’t think they are still available. 🙁
xo Michael
I think the doors look perfect just the way they are, that is why you haven’t done anything, you like them. Just put a coat of matte sealer on them or even leave them alone. You already have white walls and the light wood goes well with the dark floors. Just let them patina, which they will because of the light coming in from the window.
Oh Michael….I swear I am going to stop by St Mary’s sometime and say hello. You just pop up in my searches from time to time. I’ve been on Pinterest from early on and I was forever pinning things only to realize they were your items. Today, here you are showing up again as I look for inspiration for a non-intrusive solution for low profile baby/pet gates. Hope you are well and that things in your world are great! The best to you. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Greetings from Pittsburgh!
HI MIchael,
I have purchased a bypass door system but I am struggling on the door width. How much overlap between the doors is need? I plan to add 2 inches for the sides. Would greatly appreciate your suggestions.,
suggestions on where to find them cheaper? THANKS!
suggestions on where to find them for less money? THANKS!