Dear Alice | Interior Design Podcast Summary

Episode: Doors Part 1 | Best Advice for Interior Doors
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Hosts: Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall, with guest Corey Place

Introduction to Interior Doors

In this episode of Dear Alice, hosts Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall, alongside guest Corey Place, delve into the often-overlooked yet crucial element of interior design: doors. Emphasizing that doors are not just functional components but also key elements that reflect personal style and architectural integrity, the hosts set the stage for an in-depth exploration of door selection, styles, and best practices.

Listener’s Question: Do’s and Don’ts of Interior Doors

The episode centers around a listener, Sophie’s, question:

Sophie asks: "What are the do's and don'ts of interior doors? Are single panel doors going out of style? What type of door style, paneling, or trim is timeless? And does the door style all need to be the same?"

Recognizing the depth of Sophie’s inquiry, Jessica remarks at [12:31] ("We have two parts to doors, this episode is part one."), indicating a comprehensive approach to the topic.

Anatomy of a Door

To ensure clarity, Corey provides a breakdown of door anatomy at [16:13]:

Corey: "We're going to start with the slab itself. The slab is the door. When it's off of the hinges, it's just the entire door."

He further explains components such as:

• Stiles (S T I L E): Vertical sides of the door.
• Rails: Horizontal connectors between stiles, including top, bottom, and intermediate rails.
• Panels: Sections framed by stiles and rails, which can vary in number and style.
• Threshold/Sweep: The bottom part that ensures an airtight seal.

Corey: "The hardware counts big time when you're dealing with such a simple profile as a slab door. It really has to dictate the style that you are going for."

Types of Interior Doors

1. Slab Doors

Jessica showcases slab doors, highlighting their simplicity and suitable contexts:

Jessica: "This would be like your mid-century homes or contemporary homes. They are your least expensive door style just to have like no profiles or paneling on it at all."

Corey adds practical insights on customization:

Corey: "If someone has slab doors that are awesome doors, you could put an applied molding on that to create detail. It's usually more cost-effective to have the door shop make a custom door rather than hiring a finish carpenter."

2. Single Panel Doors

The discussion transitions to single panel doors, examining their relevance and styling:

Suzanne: "If you're building a stocked house and that's the door you select, go aftermarket and add trim to make you look a lot more expensive."

Corey emphasizes the aesthetic benefits:

Corey: "A shaker is going to have a flat panel, giving more dimension to the door."

3. Multi-Panel Doors (Two, Three, Six Panels)

Suzanne expresses her preference for multi-panel doors:

Suzanne: "I love the three-panel door. It feels very classic and gives the door more dimension."

Corey discusses the proportional aspects:

Corey: "You want smaller middle rails to enhance detail and dimension, which elongates the door and aligns with the 36-inch center for doorknobs."

4. Jib Doors

Introducing jib doors, the hosts explain their discreet functionality:

Jessica: "A jib door is typically a slab door that blends seamlessly into the wall, often used to hide entrances to less prominent areas like closets or powder rooms."

Suzanne highlights practical applications:

Suzanne: "In our Capitol Heights project, we used jib doors to maintain the rhythm of paneling without cluttering the space with multiple door outlines."

5. Glass Detail Doors (French Doors)

The benefits of incorporating glass into doors are discussed:

Suzanne: "French doors are great for transferring natural light between rooms without sacrificing privacy."

Corey adds technical details:

Corey: "A three-quarter door means the glass covers about two-thirds of the door’s height, enhancing both aesthetics and light flow."

Door Trim and Casing

Jessica and Corey emphasize the importance of door casing in overall design:

Corey: "I don't like a single header casing. I prefer a mitered casing with 45-degree angles that outline the door neatly."

Jessica: "Picking your baseboard first helps in selecting the appropriate casing to ensure cohesive design throughout the space."

Do’s and Don'ts of Interior Doors

The hosts outline key recommendations for selecting and installing interior doors:

Do’s:

• Maintain Consistency: Ensure door styles complement the home's overall architectural style.
• Customize Hardware: Invest in quality hardware to elevate simple door designs.
• Opt for Solid Core Doors: Especially for rooms requiring privacy, like bathrooms and home offices.

Don'ts:

• Avoid Single Sidelights: Jessica advises against having only one sidelight, a trend seen in older homes, as it can disrupt visual balance. [55:05]

  Jessica: "Don't do the sidelight at all if you have to. You could do a front door that has some glass in it, like a half light or something."

• Steer Clear of Hollow Core Doors: For areas needing soundproofing and durability, hollow core doors are inadequate.

  Suzanne: "You heard it here, don't. Hollow core doors look terrible over time due to wear and tear, especially with rough use."

• Refrain from Barn Doors: Core Opinion:

  Corey: "No, no, no. That ship sailed long ago."

  Suzanne adds a rare exception for artistic installations:

  Suzanne: "We did a very slick rail where you cannot see the wheels running on the track. It was more of an art installation than a typical barn door."

Practical Tips and Best Practices

• Fire Ratings: Corey stresses the importance of choosing fire-rated doors, especially between the garage and home.

  Corey: "You have to make sure that they'll have a fire-rated version so you can keep that separation safe."

• Mock-Ups: Suzanne recommends creating door mock-ups with finish workers to visualize proportions and trims before final installation.

  Suzanne: "Have them mock up your door to make sure you like the proportions and the trims integrated."

• Door Measurements: Understanding standard sizes (e.g., 3’0” wide doors) is crucial for functionality and aesthetic balance.

  Suzanne: "For standard homes, doors are usually around 36 inches wide."

Conclusion and Next Steps

As the episode wraps up, Jessica and Suzanne encourage listeners to consider their door choices carefully, aligning them with both functional needs and design aspirations. They tease the next episode, which promises to continue the exploration of doors, ensuring that listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions in their interior design projects.

Jessica: "We have a free design service available to help you find new furniture, rugs, and art pieces to complement your door selections."

Listeners are invited to engage further by submitting questions and following the hosts on their various social media platforms for more design inspiration and insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Jessica at [22:30]: "If you're going to spring for a solid door somewhere, make sure it's in a room that deserves the privacy, like the powder bath or the home office."

• Corey at [55:05]: "I built them in the early 2000s. Sure did. So if you have the room, get a front door that is unique and has glass above to maintain light flow without disrupting the balance."

• Suzanne at [34:05]: "If you have a traditional historic home that you're fixing up, the multi-panel doors like five or six panels can add charm and authenticity."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, providing valuable insights into interior door selection and design while incorporating direct quotes to highlight key points.