Panther Door

Above: Close-up of carving on front entry doors

A couple came to me after seeing one of my entry doors in La Jolla asking if I could help them with a front door and several other design projects. They were remodeling their 70's modern home in Oceanside that sat on the top of a hill with views in every direction. They wanted to change the style completely to Country French.

As usual we met at their home to look over the house and plans so I could start getting ideas of what might fit with their newly-designed home. Over the next couple weeks I sketched several ideas but wasn't happy with any of them. Then it suddenly came to me. I sketched my idea and called to meet them. They loved it. 

My idea was a classic Country French design in walnut with raised panels and moulding, with panthers carved in relief in the center panels. Why panthers, you are asking yourself? Because Panther is their last name. Mr. and Mrs. Panther went on to move several times over the following years, taking the whole frame and doors with them each time, and asking me to reinstall in each home. It's not often that clients take their front entryways when they move, and because I build things to last 100 years or more, it always makes me feel good that my clients love what I have designed and created for them enough to keep them forever.