Why Do We Love The Historic Dutch Door?
Nest by Tamara's
Why In Design Column:
The History and Love of the Dutch Door
East Hampton, Long Island via Style Me Pretty
We love Dutch doors and they remind us of horses and horse barns and the easy way of equestrian style living. What are they, you ask? Well, Dutch doors are basically a single door that has been divided in half vertically, allowing the top half to stay open while the bottom is closed. When needed, they are kept together as one door with a latch- a doorknob on the top portion and a lever securing the two on the bottom. You may remember we wrote a story on the popularity of the Farmhouse style of architecture back in 2017. This style of architecture first cropped up in rural areas of the United States so farmers could live on their property, and the style was inspired by the earlier architecture of the Cape Cod, Salt Box, Colonial, Greek Revival and Southern Plantation homes.
The Dutch door became known in the 17th century in the Netherlands, and many believe they were created on farmhouse doors. By keeping the bottom half of the door closed and the top open, it helped to keep the animals outside of the house but the children inside while allowing a breeze and preventing dust to come inside.
Here in the States, the Dutch brought these practical and pretty doors with them when they emigrated, which explains why I see them quite a bit in the East End of Long Island, specifically in the "Hamptons" where the early Dutch settled. In many early American paintings the Dutch door can be seen in various scenes showing its swift rise in popularity. Along with the infamous Dutch-inspired windmills dotting the landscape in the East End, you'll often see historic homes with this door as well. They've become an iconic design, and key feature to a home in the Hamptons. As part of a renovation my friends recently added this beautiful grey-colored Dutch door to the entrance of their gorgeous home in Sag Harbor village.
The Briggs new Dutch Door in Sag Harbor Village, Long Island
Check out more Dutch Doors we love for
design inspiration and sources on our
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
