First DIY Project of 2011

When we moved into the house in 2002, the door that lead to the basement family room had been removed and stored in the lower garage. We made a decision not to put the door on because our dog (Dakota) loved to run up and down the steps with our cat (Bustopher). Both Dakota and Bustopher are gone now and we now have two dogs (Truman and Wilson) who like to run the steps, too but also like to leave "surprises" on the carpet. We put a gate up to keep them from using the steps (and the carpet). I have hated that gate since the day we put it up but it did the job and that was what mattered.

Then one day as I was exploring blogland I found a much prettier solution to our problem, which was a screen door. Bob was skeptical, even when I showed him the cute photos. Alas, Bob just didn't think it was a good idea so we decided not to do it. Of course, once the decision was made to NOT do the door, I wanted it even more!

I thought I would put it on my Christmas list and see what might happen... and wala! I got a screen door! Bob bought a plain door and added the gingerbread trimming to it. It had to be painted and so he did that, too. He figured out how to hang it using the existing door plates and when he got the handle on, it was complete!

Here's a glance at our new screen door:

Screen door added 2010 by Bob Steffes as a Christmas gift to Terri

Bob loves the door, now and thinks it is a much nicer solution than the doggie gate!!

Would you like to comment?

Vee7:38 PM
What a clever idea, Terri! I'm so glad that Bob relented. And what does he think now? He certainly did a great job of putting it up!
cinnibonbon9:07 PM
The pups dont barrel through it??? LOL Mine so would. Thanks for stopping in. BTW--just how many blogs do you have, busy girl--I can barely keep up with one!!

Happy new Year to you and yours..Be safe.
Door looks great by the way.
Anonymous9:16 PM
I love this idea, Terri. Kim had a screendoor on Noah's room when he was newborn to about 18 months. She was watching the other kiddo's and the screen door worked great for when Noah was having naptime...the kids couldn't bother him, but Kim could see him through the screen door. Looked cute too.
Sandi McBride9:51 PM
I love it. No matter you wanted it so badly! It looks so quaint and inviting, good on Bob for seeing the project through!
hugs
Sandi
Justabeachkat10:00 PM
Great idea!

Hugs,
Kat
dana10:38 PM
Love that idea.....Bob did a great job! L, Dana
Decor To Adore9:32 AM
What a dear treasure of a husband. I love your door. It often takes my husband while to warm up to an idea too. :)

Thank you so much for your much appreciated input on my office. I adore you!
Anonymous2:55 PM
That's a good idea! And it looks good too :-)

Have a Nice Day :-)

~Ron
9405018--Pat3:01 PM
What a great idea...thanks for sharing..pat H
Amanda Lee8:27 PM
I love it! We had a similar stairway to our attic that had a regular door. I begged my hubby to let me switch it with a screen door so we could get some ventilation, but he said no. And no again. Really, I should have just hired someone to do it -- or done it myself, and never asked him about it. You know what they say, "It's easier to get forgiveness, than to get permission"...
~Amanda