In Search of Old Wooden Doors

I realise I have quite a collection of images of old wooden doors. What started as the occasional image from a local Italian town or village has now become part of what I look for when I am travelling around.

In Search of Old Wooden Doors

What is it about old wooden doors that make them so attractive?

Reminders of times past

In some cases, the doors are a reminder of times past. Take this ‘Old Red Door’. Well worn and coming complete with a hole worn in the bottom where small animals can get in and out, this is the door to an old animal room. I talked about animal rooms in a blog where I explored the history of my house. Animals used to be kept inside in rooms below the main dwelling and the warmth from the animals would help to heat the rooms above in winter. A slightly different take on underfloor heating.

This door has a wonderful bolt system. The room inside still has the original animal stalls and feeding trough.

Doors as architectural features

Looking at old wooden doors that are still in active use, in some of the towns these can be quite ornate. Take, for example, this ‘Trio of Old Wooden Doors’, a collage of doors I found in Citta della Pieve in Umbria.

Here the doors have intricate carving and/or moulding, striking metal door furniture and sit inside brick or marble ornate architrave. All three have the classic semi-circular window comprising a metal frame with glass. This provides light into the room behind the door.

This semi-circular window feature can also be seen on this old wooden door in Tavernelle. Here you can also clearly see the marble step at the entrance.

There is something very satisfying about them isn’t there?

Doors for plants and cat sunbathing

Many of the houses and apartments in local towns, in particular, don’t have gardens and often you see a wonderful display of plants in pots on the front steps.

This old wooden door in Panicale called ‘Panicale Cat in Doorway’ shows that even in winter the pots are decorative. You can imagine them in the summer full of cascading petunias and brightly coloured geraniums!

This image also shows another good use for an old wooden door, particularly if it is in sunshine. It makes a great place for cat sunbathing.

Where To Purchase My Artwork

All of the images in my blog today are available to buy as fine art prints. Check out my RedBubble and Pictorem stores to see my collection of Italian images.

I also have a lovely calendar of my Italian door images available from my Calvendo store.

Before you go

My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Thank you for reading!