Author Topic: What does a red door symbolize? (added some more pics of my live oak tree) (Read 4629 times)

jclements · « **on:** September 15, 2006, 06:48:04 PM »

Our home is structural brick, in a Norweigen pattern, but was painted white about 40 years ago (old Florida fad). It has country blue shutters. The front door needs to be painted. If I had the time and money, I would love to paint the exterior walls a medium beige, black shutters, white window trim, and a dark red door. However, I do not have this option. I still think a dark red door would look great with the blue and white. My DH is skeptical of a red door though, he thinks it is a taboo. I have googled the meanings of red doors and only find good references.

So what do you think about red doors? Do they have good/bad meanings? Would you not want to say look at a home for sale if it had a red door? I could always repaint it white or maybe black, but would like to introduce a third color for interest......

I will try to get a better photo from the front on tomorrow, but in the mean time, here's a nice shot of the front of the home. I love my live oak tree!

Esther · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2006, 06:53:24 PM »

In my 64 years, I have never heard anything negative about red doors. You're not thinking about red lights are you? I don't think there is any connection. It wouldn't bother me if I was buying a house with a red door. If I didn't like the color I'd paint it.

jclements · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2006, 06:56:16 PM »

He's thinking of some rumor about having a red door to symbolize you being associated with some sort of negative group. My mom also brings up Elizabeth Arden and her "red door" stuff. I think it's a bunch of crap and think dark red would look great, especially since there is original dark red tile surrounding the fireplace in the living room. And pretty much all accent items in our home are dark red.

PondmaninAL · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:05:49 PM »

Red doors have been associated with the Devil and evil. They have also been associated with houses of ill repute.

To me, there is nothing wrong with a dark red door. Plain red would be way to bright.

Scott

karen J · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:51:23 PM »

Quote from: Esther on September 15, 2006, 06:53:24 PM

You're not thinking about red lights are you?

My hubby painted the door of his very first house red. It was such a cute little house, and one of the reasons why I married him (cute little house, well maintained, with an adorable red front door). One of the many reasons, I might add.

So there! Red front doors can only bring good tidings to the inhabitants!

Teresa · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:53:09 PM »

Have you read this thread at gardenweb?

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:w6O-ly_wQQcJ:ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/oldhouse/msg0111505527696.html%3F12+meaning+of+red+door&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

livetogarden · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2006, 09:31:36 PM »

Jessica,
There was an aritcle in our local paper recently that said a red front door is very inviting and a good selling point for a house. So I would say 'go for it'.
Cath

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:40:11 PM »

I Googled "Red Door Symbolism" and found this:

A red door is a significant symbol in many countries. In China, some say a door is painted red before the New Year to invite good luck and happiness, while in Ireland, it’s done to ward off ghosts and evil spirits.

The scarlet entry also has deep religious undertones. In Catholicism, a red door represents that the blood of Christ has been smeared on it and that the area beyond the door is holy and sacred. For Protestants, and especially Lutherans, the red door harkens back to the time of Martin Luther, who posted his 95 Theses on the red doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany—the crimson color symbolizes the church as part of the Reformation.

And for homeowners, a red door announces that the house is paid for, free and clear.

Ky Kim · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2006, 12:50:19 AM »

My front and back door both are red, and so are my shutters. My roof has sorta a mixture or red, black and gray's. So it pulls the color out in the roof. I get lots of compliments on it.

I say go for it Mickey!

I can take a pic of it if you want if it will help you get an idea.

Kim

Joyce · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2006, 04:45:54 AM »

Teresa, I always thought it wasa FS thing too.

The 'Evil and ill repute' theory is just too far out there for me.

(besides being based on Christian biased beliefs)

I have had a can on BRIGHT RED paint for my front door...
(actually 'Farmall Red') for over a year and just haven't gotten to it yet.

jclements · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2006, 05:56:48 AM »

Thanks for the input. Yes, I found those threads on the Old House forum and Garden Web before posting here. In those threads, someone states in Christianity that a red door symbolizes safety, etc. I find no reference to evil anywhere. I wonder why it was the first thought to come to DH and my mom....

Kim, I would like to see a photo of your house, sounds nice!

Joyce, isn't your house white with blue shutters? I would like to see a photo of yours when you're done too!

Joyce · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2006, 06:22:29 AM »

Yes, Jessica...that is why we've wanted to do it.
And for all the good vibes.

You are right, evil, ugliness, and the like, is always in the eye of the beholder.

Or the mind.

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2006, 07:47:48 AM »

You got plenty of answers Jessica, but tell me what is that beautiful tree dominating the landscape. Love it!

Good looking home too.

jclements · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2006, 08:17:38 AM »

Jerry, that's a live oak. It's massive! Our block is essentially a 1940s cookie-cutter neighborhood and each yard was planted with a magnolia, live oak, and pine. There are also many golden rain trees and crape myrtles on the street. Unfortunately, we lost the pine in the last month and had it cut down on labor day.

jclements · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2006, 08:42:05 AM »

Here are a few more pics of the house and tree.

This is the view from the porch across the street. For the record, I have not mowed for about a month...doing that today. I've been avoiding yard work as the past two times I have done it, I ended up with a spider bite and an ant bite (allergic to ants)!!

This is a closeup of the front porch.

Closer view of the live oak branches overhead. Our live oak branches blend with the one across the street to form a massive canopy.

And finally, a view down the block showing each yard's live oak. If I ever leave Gainesville, I will certainly miss these beautiful trees!

Oh wait, one more. A quick modification in photoshop to give a super basic idea of a crimson colored door. What do ya think?

Jerry · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2006, 10:44:26 AM »

It looks great! Oops to the tree, all i had to do was read the caption.
The street looks superb. We have dinky, sickly trees on our street.
Yes, I have talked to the neighbors about planting nicer ones. No results...yet.

Joyce · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2006, 11:33:34 AM »

Jessica, your house has the same colors as mine!

Now I am really motivated to do my door!

Holldoll · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2006, 12:32:31 PM »

I love the red door! I had a Feung Shui master come to my house and she told me to paint the door red. It's inviting and it supposedly keeps the evil spirits out. I'm up for anything that's positive!

Teresa · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2006, 12:40:27 PM »

Jessica . . . . you might want to call a real estate appraisor or agent. They often tell you to paint your door a bright color to make the house more cheery and attractive.

PondmaninAL · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2006, 07:58:46 PM »

Now for the bad news about that tree. The roots spread as far as the limbs. They can crack foundations and concrete slabs. The one across the street from us actually has cracked the pavement all the way across.

Scott

tracey_shafer · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2006, 11:34:42 PM »

I think I would go with a darker tone of red, maybe burgendy if you are keeping the other accent colors. But not bad.

kaz · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2006, 01:36:56 AM »

Your surroundings look very beautiful and serene Jessica.

Until reading your post, I had no idea that red doors meant something and because I have 5 external oxygenated blood red doors, plus red garage doors... I was starting to get a wee bit nervous

My sister has dark blue doors and they look really smart against the white frame

Ky Kim · « **Reply #22 on:** September 18, 2006, 09:55:18 PM »

I haven't had a chance to get out and take any pics of my house. I worked all weekend, then it has been raining. I'll get them soon though.

Kimberly

Viv · « **Reply #23 on:** September 19, 2006, 01:12:36 AM »

Jessica I think the red door will look great under that fantastic canopy!

I lurve those trees...drool!!

kaz · « **Reply #24 on:** September 19, 2006, 03:13:34 AM »

So... what colour door do you have Viv?

And do they spell the word 'colour' correctly in NZ

jclements · « **Reply #25 on:** September 19, 2006, 06:00:07 AM »

Viv, thanks! I bet you have some pretty awesome trees there. I joke that our trees are very LOTR, but that was filmed in your country, right?

Kaz, beautiful house and doors! Love it!

karen J · « **Reply #26 on:** September 19, 2006, 09:00:21 AM »

Kaz,

Your brick is amazing. Love the window details, and the door: especially the moulding around it.

Beautiful.

kaz · « **Reply #27 on:** September 19, 2006, 12:43:16 PM »

Ta very much

Viv · « **Reply #28 on:** September 20, 2006, 01:24:15 AM »

The 'colour' of my back door is white, the other door is an aluminium (don’t go there Kaz!) glass ranch slider. Your yard is looking very spic and span there!

Jessica we do have some great specimen trees here, but yours is a beauty! I love the lichen too.

It’s funny you should mention LOTR coz this morning at 7.30 as I was walking through the Botanical Gardens on my way to work I decided to go through the native collection, it’s kinda based on a tropical rainforest. Eerie and surreal that early in the morning let me tell you!