Daviot House Front Door

   This front door, of Hamilton House in Prestonpans, Scotland, is my inspiration for Daviot House.  As I'll have to build this extension onto the front of the house, it's something that I can start with before my house arrives (and yes, I am currently in talks with the 'architect', so stay tunes!).

I love the ancient feel to the stone and the carving: it's grand, but still humble, as are most of these buildings.  They were usually very old buildings dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, that were then updated continuously as a family's fortunes increased (or decreased!).  With the 18th century, this habit of home improvement started to be replaced by building new, symmetrical, architecturally perfect buildings.  While I really admire the architecture of the Georgian period, for some reason I prefer this older style.

  Here's my sketch for the front door.  I'll make the stonework out of DAS clay, as I did for the fireplace in the parlour.  I don't want to use a standard door, as the front door is not quite to scale (people were much smaller 400 years ago!).  I'll have a go with bass wood and iron on floor boards, I think.  If anyone has any tips for hinges, I'd love to hear them!

   Here is the hardware I ordered from Sussex Crafts, the door knocker has a wonderful heavy feel.  I think I will need another hinge, though.  Now I just need to find a supplier for small brass pins, to use as studs...