Mmm, pickles. That will make sense in a minute. But first, here’s what John’s sister Emily’s front entryway has looked like for the three years she’s lived in her wonderful house — which you can virtually tour here.
And here’s the after: a refreshed front door color and a semi-transparent stain on the deck that leads up to it (plus a few seasonal pumpkins for personality).
The process of choosing the front door color and the deck stain was simple but considered. I brought over a stack of paint swatches and we held them up to the smoky gray of the house to see which hues read best in natural light and against the existing siding.
We quickly narrowed it down to a handful of favorites: Cornichon, Lagoon, Duck’s Egg, Egg Yolk, and Sultana — all from the Martha Stewart palette. Narrowing options is a good trick when you want a bold, confident front door without the overwhelm of endless choices.
After a little more deliberation, Emily and her husband Todd both agreed on Cornichon. It felt hip and a little unexpected — exactly the slightly funky, confident look they were aiming for. Cornichon provided a distinctive pop that complements the smoky gray siding and plays nicely with rich wood tones, which mattered since they planned to stain the deck in a dark finish.
With the door color settled, we chose a deck stain that would feel warm and grounded but still allow the wood grain to show through. We selected a semi-transparent Behr Premium Plus Deck Stain in the color “Wood Chip.” Semi-transparent stains are a great choice when you want protection and a rich tone without obscuring the natural texture of the wood.
Once decisions were finalized, the deck was power washed to remove dirt and old finish, then stained. The front door received two coats of semi-gloss latex exterior paint in Cornichon for durability and a clean sheen that plays well with outdoor light.
The result is a front entry that feels both welcoming and self-assured — a “how YOU doin’” kind of vibe that’s cool without trying too hard. Emily and Todd are thrilled with the update, and the refreshed entry immediately boosts the home’s curb appeal.
If you’re debating a new front door color or a deck refresh, a few practical tips from this makeover may help:
- Test paint swatches in person against your house at different times of day so you understand how natural light changes the color.
- Consider semi-transparent deck stains to retain wood character while adding protection and depth.
- Choose a finish for exterior doors that balances durability and sheen — semi-gloss exterior latex is a dependable choice.
- Power washing before staining or painting ensures a cleaner surface and a longer-lasting finish.
- Small accessories — planters, modern house numbers, and a bold welcome mat — complete the look and amplify curb appeal without big expense.
Now Emily and Todd are planning a few finishing details: more planters, striking house numbers, and a large modern welcome mat to complete the transformation. A curb appeal makeover like this can make routine things — door hardware, doormats, and entryway plants — exciting again.
And finally, about the title: “cornichon,” the name of the chosen paint color, means “pickle” in French. Thanks to my ninth-grade French teacher, I knew that from the moment we picked it. Snookie would be proud.