When One Door Closes, Another Two Open

As part of the Chestnut renovation, we needed to replace the front door. It was not original to the structure and didn’t fit properly, creating howling drafts and easy access for critters to get inside. 

Michael came up with the best idea yet — reusing a Dutch door from The Main House. 

Al removed one of the Dutch doors and carried it over to The Chestnut. The door fit perfectly. The Dutch door not only provides a charming way to let natural light and a gentle breeze into the cottage, but the age and detailing also match the original sash windows, which date back to the early 1900s.

Michael then came up with the second-best idea ever — which in fact might be the best idea ever. To add a patio door in the back room, introduce natural light to the space, and create a private terrace. The icing on the cake was that we had a second Dutch door in The Main House that we could use.

The Dutch door not only provides a charming way to let natural light and a gentle breeze into the cottage, but the age and detailing also match the original sash windows, which date back to the early 1900s.

The stone masons began working and cut a precisely sized hole in the solid stone façade, saving the stone for use elsewhere on the project. They then reused two of the original stone front steps from the Main House to build stairs to the terrace that match the stone facade. 

The Chestnut now has a beautiful front door and a patio door leading to a private terrace, both made from recycled materials that meet the gold standard of historic renovation.  Specifically, they seem to have always been there.

Over and out.