Painting some doors black

First of all, I want to thank all you for praying for my mom. She has loved visiting my blog and seeing all of your sweet comments. She feels so covered in prayer and it brings her great comfort.

I am staying at her house tonight. My sister and I are taking turns. We joke that we are doing it more for our dad than for mom. :) He likes knowing someone else is here. And I guess I am doing it for myself as well. I just can’t seem to get enough of her right now!

We are going to the doctor tomorrow to find out some more information about the CAT scan she had on Friday. (The one that told us she had cancer.) My sister and I are going with Mom and Dad just to make sure we ask a lot of questions and help them remember what the doctor says. I feel a little nervous.

Life seems so much more precious to me right now. And the little details of life that used to stress me out, just seem so unimportant.

I am thankful to God for opening my eyes to His blessings that I so quickly rush by each day.

Mom and I have been sitting in the den talking and working on our laptops. She hates that I am unable to blog as much because she knows how much I love it. So, since Mom and I had some time to just hang out, she wanted me to post something.

I am going to share with you some of the doors in my house that I painted black recently in preparation for our family reunion.

The first door leads from our kitchen to our back patio.

Here is the before…

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Pretty boring, huh? Notice the dirty spots under the door knob? That’s after I cleaned it! It takes a lot of wear and tear with four little dirty boys running in and out of it every day!

Here’s the after…

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Sorry about the sun shining in. I didn’t have as good of a picture of the door as I thought I did.

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I love it! And I don’t have to worry about it showing dirt!

Here you can see it through the mirror across the kitchen. It truly is striking.

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And here is a picture from across the kitchen table.

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This picture shows my drop cloth curtains. Can’t wait to share more about those!

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The other door that got painted black in our house was the door from our garage into our kitchen. It was WAY dirtier than the other door. It’s the door that we use the most! It’s also the door that most of our guests come through when visiting. It needed some serious help.

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Okay, that one was painful to share! OMG’sh that’s disgusting. But I live with 5 boys, cut me some slack!

Here’s what the magic of black paint can do…

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I got the shelf at Goodwill for $5.50 and painted it black. The mirror was from GW for $4.50. The shoe box is my favorite thing in the world. I used to keep it in my den, but it has gotten bumped to the garage since I re-did my den. The boys just throw their shoes in there, and they are out of sight! It’s a great little piece to sit down on and tie your shoes too.

I might get a little vinyl wall saying that says, “Welcome” or something to add to the middle of the door. Still looking for that…

But I love the way they turned out.

As I finish my post, I am looking across the room to see that my sweet mom has fallen asleep in her chair. She feel asleep reading from God’s word. Not surprising at all. She is hopelessly in love with Jesus. Growing up, I remember waking up to the sight of my mom in prayer and bible study. It’s where she has always gotten her strength…and always will. I love you, Mom.

Blessings,

Traci

19 Comments

  1. I will keep your Mother in my prayers for good test results.

    Your pictures are wonderful and you did such a great job. Everything looks so lovely.

    Willow

  2. This looks like it could be in a magazine! I am continuing to pray for God's comfort to be upon you and your family at this time.

  3. Good Morning Traci!
    I wanted to drop you a quick line. Amy went to surgery yesterday, the outcome was not good. Our hearts are very heavy today. Yesterday was a long day and last night was a very restless one. We are dealing with things as best as we can. Please stop by my blog for details honey. We are going to need your prayers. I love you and am praying for your Mom. God be with her and you and your sister, Dad also as you all go through this very trying time. Love, Sherry

  4. I am sure you are such a blessing to your mom by being there for her so she doesn't have to do this alone. I'm so glad you're with her right now. Give her my best and let her know that I will be praying for God's peace to envelop her while she goes through this difficult time.

    Your doors turned out beautiful. The black just made everything pop. It all looks so fresh and new. Your house is beautiful.

  5. It looks great! I painted my front door black just because I think they look elegant. No little boys but one big one who can leave fingerprints on anything!

  6. This is my first time stopping by…and what a LOVELY blog you have!

    I will be adding your sweet mom to my prayer list!

    I LOVE what you've done with your doors…and I chuckled when I saw the warmth of the decorating touch you have in your garage!! Very nice. :-)

    I'll be back.

  7. I am glad you are getting to spend time with your mom, it will be precious memories-no matter what the outcome is. My sister and I both took turns as well taking care of my mom. So many things to remember. I had to postpone some of my kids shots because I couldn't have been at my moms taking care of her, with my kids there if they had been given the shots. My sisters little girl was sick with little colds and stuff for a month where I was the only one over there and I look back at that time. My boys were about to turn 1 and 2 and I would get home at 9 or 10 every night and up at 4 and I don't even remember how I took care of my laundry and stuff but we made it through. Keep me up to date so I know how to pray.

    Cheri

  8. Hi Traci. Your photos are so clear and the house looks great!

    I found your site, through the blog vine, originating with Terry at Lady Liberty. I can understand ALL of your feelings as you and your mom are living through these days. My mother went to be with The Lord last August (21st) after years of cancer (beginning with breast cancer and leading beyond). Her story and my own are all on my blog at Simply Heather. Writing enabled me to share the journey and release the feeling. Our God is so faitful, so comforting and loving, caring for the finest of details when we're unable to even think. I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this and yet, I know that there will be a bond built that was not there before and that will remain in the years to come. I had never experienced the feelings, in all of my life, that I did when my mom left. I thought we were ready, able and willing…and we were, but through this last year; I have grown in so many different ways, and I still feel her love with me everywhere I go. We are able to keep that love, Traci, because we share the same Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bless you tremendously, both now and in the years to come.

    I will lift you and your family up and if you ever wonder how other daughter's (strong in faith, love and surrender to The Lord) have experienced this….do visit me. My words will most likely hit home but I know that The Lord will also bless you through them :)

    The link about my mom and this journey is at my sidebar My Mom's Life, it will lead you from newest posts to the older posts.

    When we knew my mom had cancer, was the first write up about her journey…so many years ago, now.

    Bless you, my sister in Christ, your mother and your entire family. I also have a house full of men, one less than you…three boys (10,8,4).

    Love, Heather

  9. Traci,

    I love the doors, they are awesome! Most of all I LOVE that you and your sister are taking turns staying at your parents house. How wonderful for all of you, soak in every single second. I've recently learned just how precious life is. Praying that you have many, many, many more opportunities to share seconds, hours, weeks, months and years with your beautiful mom.

    Love you friend,
    Julie

  10. Hi Traci!
    Thank you so much for your prayers for Amy, Debbie and Richard. Debbie is so exhausted she is standing over that bed day and night as much as she can. Amy's heart went up to 167 and she was gasping to breathe, Debbie just stood at her side and said breathe Amy, breathe. She is so strong in front of Amy and Amy looks to her to guide her. The Dr.s are trying to figure out a way to intibate her without disturbing that tumor again. She has to be put to sleep for 45 minutes so they can put a peg tube in her. That is the tube that will go in her stomach to feed her. I pray they figure it out. She may end up with a tracheotomy before we are finished. We know the Dr. said she will need one in less than 2 months because the tumor will grow and there will be no other option then. Debbie says we are to pray for HOPE, there is always hope that a miracle can be performed and this tumor will be vanished. I am hanging on to that. I should have known why I liked you. I didn't know you were from Kentucky. Debbie and I were born and lived for awhile in Charelston South Carolina. Daddy was in the military. I love the south, so I should have known. Please tell your mother,the key word is HOPE. We are praying for good news tomorrow Traci. Please email me and keep me posted. stoneshy@msn.com
    I will talk to you soon. Love, Sherry

  11. Hi Traci,
    I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry that your all going through such a tough time. I think black is the best color ever for a stylish Mom with little boys! Your door looks beautiful and stylish and prints won't be a problem! Traci, I just love your dining room table and chairs and the chandelier is gorgeous! You are such a creative gal! Keep your chin up Traci and I'll be anxious to hear about your Mom. Hugs, Cindy

  12. Okay, not only is your home beautiful, but even your GARAGE is beautiful!!!! I can't believe I am jealous of someone's garage!!!! :)

    Seriously, I love the paint colors you have chosen. Everything is so crisp looking. Lovely!!!!

    I will pray for your family!!! Y'all got a lot on your plate right now! May the Lord give you His wisdom and His peace!!!!

    His,
    Mrs. U

  13. I love it!! And I think I am going to have to get some black paint!

    You have beautiful projects on your blog and I can't wait to check more of them out!!

  14. Oh this is so beautiful!! We have very similar decorating style. My house is also a khaki-ish color (Sherwin's Kilim Beige), but with black trim. I even have a couple of black walls in my living room, don't you love black!?

    Great blog! You're so very talented!

  15. I’ve done black interior doors before, years ago, in NYC. I have a small farm now in Southwest Georgia and am trying to spruce it up a little on a real tight budget. You have 5 boys, I have 4 dogs! Then I remembered the black doors. Very dramatic and effective. Great job! Your place looks great! Good luck and keep posting pictures!

  16. Beautiful. I love the idea of black doors – I think I’m going to try Seal, a soft black by Martha Stewart. I was just looking up black doors for inspiration, and to see how it looks in different settings. I was so sad to see this post and then see that your mom was gone only a month later. I lost my mom to cancer a year ago tomorrow, and I lost my dad to cancer 8 years ago tomorrow. The very same day. I hope they’re together somewhere. I am so sorry you lost your mom. Be glad that you were there with her.

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