Front Door Facelift with Chalk Paint

My front door has  been this deep shade of blue-black for ages.

About two years ago Mr. Muscles and I tore down the flat-roofed 
pergola at the front of the house leaving the front door 
exposed to the elements.
But recently the new pergola went up, so it's time for a front door facelift! 

BEFORE: Front Door in need of a Facelift

I love the door handle, it was an elegant black-metallic-bronze...
The sun, wind, & rain caused it to chip, peel & generally lose its appeal.
It was varnished with a marine-grade a couple times, but it looked sad now and beyond repair.

I was going to replace it, but it's no longer available.
The closest version I found...was $199 and, frankly, it was ugly. 

BEFORE: Weather-damaged door handle

Look at this!
 I gave it two coats of Autentico Chalk Paint in Nearly Black...
and just LOOK at the result!! 
Like brand new.
 A sample jar of Autentico Chalk Paint for $12.95 or $199 for a new door knob?! 
I'd say this is a win!

AFTER: Two coats of Nearly Black and it looks brand new!

I'm fairly brave with colour, but I decided to push beyond my comfort zone...
I figure, if I really don't like it....it's Autentico Chalk Paint...
I  can paint right over it without any fuss!

So I went with Autentico in Bright Turquoise!

Autentico Vintage Chalk Paint in Bright Turquoise

DURING: First coat of Autentico Chalk Paint in Bright Turquoise

The first coat (shown above) applied with the natural bristle Flat Paint Brush
basically primed the door, covered 
the old colour & set a solid base of the new colour down. 

The second coat did the job. 
But I'd missed a few spots, so I went over it very quickly
with a thin third coat before using Miss Mustard Seed's Hemp Oil to seal and protect it.

The result is striking...
Although I'm still deciding if it's a permanent change or just a fun winter-fling!

AFTER: A cheerful reinvention

Before and After Painted Metal Door Handle

It's all here...for the love...
Sada