Like many properties in the exclusive Holland Park neighborhood of West London, David and Victoria Beckham's home offers a lesson in timeless luxury – starting at the front door.
Fashion designer Victoria shared a glimpse outside her home – one of many historic townhouses in the area. Many of the properties were built in the mid-nineteenth century; however, we can still learn a lot about how they use color – nearly two centuries later.
'A front door should be darker than your house, almost always. A dark front door really grounds the entryway of your home and draws attention to itself, inviting you in,' says Jamie Gasparovic, the principal designer of Studio Gaspo in Florida.
The designer says a 'classic black front door' like theirs is the perfect way to make a statement. But there's more to a black door than its curb appeal qualities.
According to Zillow, having a black door can add $6,271 to the resale value of your home – a fact that is no surprise to color psychologist Tash Bradley.
Over the past decade, Tash Bradley has specialized in color and interior design, working alongside her mother in property development and home decoration while studying interior design. She completed a degree at Advanced Color Methods for Industry Professionals in applied Psychology of Color and is the director of interior design at the international paint brand Lick.
'The exterior of a house plays a huge part in how you feel and interact within your space,' she adds. 'If you're selling your home, you want the first glimpse to fill your potential buyers with joy. Think about how a buyer would feel when they see your front door; what emotion does it spark?'
In this case, Tash says that black front doors are 'elegant, classic, and mysterious' – boasting a 'strong sense of style.' But this is Victoria Beckham's go-to hue, after all.
Black doors have already endured through the years – and they're a (relatively) easy way to add value to your home – but what makes them so impactful? Alongside its timelessness, designer Susan Corvo says its power comes from its ability to accentuate the rest of your home.
'The front door is like the lipstick of the house; you should pick something that pops but compliments the rest of the design,' she says.
If in doubt, we recommend choosing a stark black, matte paint you can find – to create the refined Holland Park aesthetic far beyond Kensington. We particularly love this shade from Backdrop (below).
A well-chosen front door speaks volumes. Not only will it add to the curb appeal of your home, but it can set the tone for what visitors might expect once inside. If you're stuck for color, get inspiration from your neighbors, and try for a unified look. A street with complimentary tones looks more appealing than a hotch-potch of colors. Bear in mind that your front door design will affect which front door colors you should avoid too.
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