I don’t think it’s a secret, but we love the bright teal front door at our studio house. We show it all the time in pictures because we think it’s just so darn cute. The door really makes our studio stand out from the other buildings on the block, so it’s become a bit of a signature for our office. Since we were planning on (finally!) having our housewarming party, I was trying to think of a cute invitation or menu idea for the event. Sarah had an amazing thought to use the front door as the inspiration. Bingo!
Since it was a little late at that point to send out invites for the party (we had already invited all the guests at that point), I decided to make it the menu for the party instead. But it would also be an adorable invitation for any house party. If you have a signature door too, you can choose the color of your own door, or you can just make it a color that coordinates with your party scheme. Either way is fine!
Supplies:
–door template (right click and select download)
-three different shades of cardstock in the same color family (a light, medium, and dark shade)
-X-Acto knife or scissors
-cutting mat
-metal ruler
-rubber cement
–enamel dot or button for the door knob
Ok, so the first thing you’ll want to do is cut out your shapes from the template in order to build your door. I just laid the template over the right shade of paper (the template tells you which shape and how many pieces to cut off each color), and used an X-Acto knife to cut through the shape onto the paper below. Make sure you have a cutting mat underneath to protect your table or surface. Once you have the correct amount of pieces cut, you can move on to assembling them together.
To create your 3D door panels, take your larger light tone door panels and brush a layer of rubber cement on the top. Brush more glue on the bottom of the smaller medium tone rectangles and the dark tone “L” shaped cutouts. Attach the darker “L” shape to the bottom right corner of the panel and place the medium tone rectangle right up against the darker “L” shape. Rub off any excess rubber cement and repeat the process with your two smaller square panels at the top of the door. Once your panels are put together, glue them onto the door with more rubber cement.
For the door knob, you can really use anything you want (like a button or a paper circle), but we had these enamel dots, and I thought they would be really cute.
Once you are done, you can either handwrite your menu or invitation information on the back of the door. (You know we love handwriting!) Or you can print your type, cut it to size, and then glue it on the back. You may have to trim the medium tone cardstock to 8.5″ x 11″ first (if it isn’t already that size) so it will fit in your printer, but as long as you keep your type within the size of the door, you should be fine. Or, if you want to look extra professional, you can do the printing part first, then cut your door to size around the type and create the door on the other side of the paper. For a different look, you could also cut your door slab to be the same height as the template but twice as wide. Then you can fold it in half like a tall card with the information inside. It’s up to you!
No matter what color or format you choose, this little paper door will impress your guests and get them excited for either your upcoming party or your delicious menu. I mean, how cute would this be for a Christmas party invite if you added a green paper wreath to the door? So cute.
I think that’s what I always appreciate about good parties—it’s the little details that aren’t necessarily expensive, but show that the host put some thought into it to make fun little details for the night. Happy crafting! xo. Laura
Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman, Photography: Janae Hardy and Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
So simple and yet so graphic. I love it!
Thanks Laurie! You can see the party app recipes here: https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/09/3-easy-party-appetizer-ideas.html 🙂 -Jacki
I love these!! They are cute, but not “cutesy” if you know what I mean. Are the recipes on the blog??? They look good, too! You are so creative–I love this blog and want to copy everything–I just have to stay off the blog long enough to do so!!!
That’s a really cute idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Mel! It’s Function Pro Demi 🙂
Laura 🙂
Fantastic idea!!! Love it! Michaela 🙂
dear laura, once again you just hit it! great work.
could you pleas tell me the name of the font you used?
thanks a lot
this is absolutely adorable! I love it. So interesting to see easy 3D effects like this!
This is adorable! Now all I need is a house to warm…:)
<3
Daisy
This is so cute…such an innovative and cute party invite or menu card..you guys come up with the best and cute ideas always..
xo
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
Hi Melissa! It’s Valspar Laguna Green 🙂 -Jacki
I love your door too! Which color paint is it, if you don’t mind me asking?
I love this! 🙂 Think of how cute it would look in yellow! 🙂
Hi Susan! It’s Valspar Laguna Green 🙂 -Jacki
Hey ABM,
I’ve hunted archives for the blue door post and can’t seem to find it. We’re planning a front porch and I’m plannin’ a front door repaint and that is my color. What paint did you use for the door – please and thanks.
What a cute idea! I am getting ready to help my cousin host a house warming party. as the great Elsie in 2009 would say… Holy Cute!
Vivianna
nice topic ,,,,very awsome content sir
so adorable!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
Yeesh that’s cute. I love the addition of the mini enamel dot. http://www.itscarmen.com
Brilliant!!