{Hello Lovely Fixer Upper} Alder Front Door

I’m sharing the dramatic difference our new front door makes at the fixer upper! {Hello Lovely Fixer Upper} Alder Front Door provides details and before and after photos of our new rustic planked alder wood door!

Before and After – Front Door Upgrade

It may have taken a little while to address
the front door here at the Chicagoland fixer upper,
but good gracious, this baby was
definitely worth the wait.

Affiliate links follow and may earn me a small commission should you choose to use them for purchases.

It’s rustic,
it’s chocolate-y,
it’s solid alder,
it’s knotty yet nice,
it’s lovely,
and it’s by Pacific Entries.

Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door


We chose rustic v-groove doors for our prior home’s
front entrance, and learned the value one would
add here, both in terms of enhanced daily living
and also for resale when that time comes.

Here’s the rustic knotty alder wood door we chose:

Replacing the front door of this fixer upper was

kind of a no-brainer since the existing door was

dented, old, and not helping the curb appeal

or our pretty neighborhood at all.

If you’re on the fence about whether it makes

sense for you to invest in a new front door,

here is some food for thought.

(Speaking of food…just try to not

think of chocolate as you peruse the

3 thousand pics posted of our new door…ha!)

Why invest in a new front door?

1.

To be energy efficient and reduce our energy bills.

2.

To increase our home’s value and protect our investment.

3.

To add architectural interest, charm, and style.

4.

To catch a buyer’s eye and make a good first impression.

5.

To welcome guests warmly.

According to the National Association of Realtors, window and door projects mostly pay for themselves: homeowners can expect an 81 to 88 percent return on window upgrades at closing. Increased energy efficiency provides additional monthly savings. (NAR)

Before entrance at Hello Lovely Studio Chicagoland fixer upper
before

Here’s where we began.

The old door was painted the color of a bruise
and kept the rain out…so it DID have that going for it.

After all the attention every inch of the interiors
have received and are receiving, it was time
for love where you enter.

A new front door instantly enhances your home’s appearance, and what’s more, it can greatly increase resale value. A recent study by door manufacturer Therma-Tru found that upgrading the front door of a house increased the perceived value of a $190,000 home by almost $8,000. Estimates for new entry doors start around $2,500, so you could actually make back triple the money you spend. (BHG)

(Our door costs about $1,200, so if you do the math…

that’s a pretty lovely return.)

Before pic of our fixer upper entrance at Hello Lovely Studio
before

The new door truly gives the entry presence.

Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door

We love the operable speakeasy, and it’s
at a very human height so I can actually use it.
The clavos are beautiful as well.

Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Knotty Alder Wood Door with Walnut Finish  

The door came pre-finished (Hallelujah, thank you, Lord)
and has almost a glass-smooth feel which made me
very happy since it just begs to be touched.

Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door

The handleset is also from Pacific Entries and is called

San Jose Bronze, and even though it looks like a

million bucks, if you have shopped for these,

you will recognize it comes with a friendly price tag!

Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door

It’s still a little ugly outside with the trees being bare
and the courtyard in front not quite ready for its closeup,
so in this post I’m showing you lots of up-close shots
so you can appreciate the construction, finish, and
luxuriant features.

Before picture of front entrance of fixer upper for Hello Lovely Studio
before

So long, neglected weedy house with multiple personalities.

Hello, Lovely.

Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Knotty Alder Wood Door with Speakeasy
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Knotty Alder Wood Exterior Door with Walnut Finish
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Knotty Alder Wood Door with Speakeasy
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Before entrance at Hello Lovely Studio fixer upper
before
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Operable Speakeasy
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Knotty Alder Rustic Door

I dug out this “before” picture, but do bear in mind,
we were pretty darn happy when we got the place
to this stage of the “before” since it was way
nastier in this entry with its bruise-hued tile
to match the exterior door color.

Before picture of front door at fixer upper for Hello Lovely Studio
before
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Walnut Finish

A few things left to do this spring to spruce up the porch,

but what a world of difference it makes to not have

to draw the eye away from the door anymore!

Every Act of Love is a Work of Peace Sign
Hello Lovely Studio
Pacific Entries Rustic V-groove 2 Panel Knotty Alder Exterior Door
Galvanized bucket of roses on vintage French prayer chair by Hello Lovely Studio

I’m so grateful to Pacific Entries who made this front door upgrade
possible with a beautiful alder door and bronze handleset.
To read all the fixer upper stories, go here.

Here are more posts related to our knotty alder doors:

Knotty and Nice Alder Wood
Choosing Doors for the Fixer Upper
Beautiful Wood Plank Doors
Fixer Upper: Master Bedroom Reveal

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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8 Comments

  1. March 13, 2017 / 1:08 pm

    Gosh I love love love that door!! You have vision girl! It totally changed the exterior, and it beckons one to enter to find not your average interior!!

    • March 13, 2017 / 11:44 pm

      thanks for the support, amy–coming from you that means so much. xox

  2. March 13, 2017 / 1:35 pm

    Beautiful door. I am especially interested in how you finish the courtyard since we have a similar space we plan to pave with bluestone and brick edging. Not sure what outdoor furniture style to select.

    • March 13, 2017 / 11:48 pm

      we pretty much finished it, but you know i'm a minimalist so it's just a French peace garden with gravel, concrete stepping stones, lavender, box, some big pots of herbs, and of course a stenciled mirror for my birds! the furniture is castoffs from a friend that i gave the greiege treatment. sure hope my plants come back! xox

  3. March 14, 2017 / 3:48 am

    I love the door but not sure the style goes with the existing half round and sidelights. Have you thought about staining them to match the new door?

    • March 14, 2017 / 8:52 pm

      hi phyllis! the door CAN be ordered with sidelights but it's not the look i was after. i like seeing natural wood paired with white trim even though it's not a conventional pairing. yep. i'm still breaking rules all over the place! xox

  4. March 14, 2017 / 8:13 pm

    oh.my.god. That door!!! Ya know Michele, I'm pretty much amazed every time i come here lately. Not only on your consistent progress on the fixers (both) but the steady stream of blog content that you manage to put out. Wow, I feel like the world's biggest slacker when it comes to my blog and you are such a wonderful inspiration. I read your post about 'growing your blog' and I'm right there with you. i'm following you in all the ways i can…at least i think so. You have to realize I'm somebody who regularly forgets to post on IG and to check my own FB page. But my heart is with you that's for sure!
    hugs to you,
    Leslie

    • March 14, 2017 / 8:59 pm

      hahahaha…thanks for your heart. you're not at all a slacker. you consistently create quality, evergreen content that can keep getting discovered and utilized. it's not a small thing. i'll remain a busy blogger as long as it stays enjoyable and profitable. i have always preached it has to be about making your blog work for you and not the other way around or you'll be miserable. here i am in my 8th year blogging and loving it for new reasons! thanks for so much support and encouragement. xox

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SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing