A Classic in Black: Alli McQuaid’s Garden-Facing Dutch Door

Over the last year, Alli McQuaid, content creator and first-time home renovator, has been on a mission to spruce up her family’s new home into a place full of warmth, whimsy and thoughtful details. “I like to think of every space in our home as a little vignette; a page in a book, all tying together to make a beautiful story of the people who live here,” she shared.

To tell her story, she took inspiration from the coastal, modern cottages that tie the whimsy of the sea with the crisp lines of today’s architecture and the laid-back elegance of designers like Jenni Kayne. With each element, Alli aimed to create a home that felt both intentional and effortlessly inviting.

As part of the renovation, Alli installed a Dutch door at the back of the house, leading into the garden. True to her vision, the door design holds a special meaning for Alli. “It is inspired by the barn stalls I used to play in as a kid,” she said. “To my 7-year-old self’s dismay, they never ended up filled with horses—but I loved the character of those doors.”

To create a wood door reminiscent of her childhood, Alli partnered with Simpson Door Company, the industry leader of custom wood doors, to install 77482 Dutch Nantucket, painted in Primed Accoya. Featuring Simulated Divided Lite (SDL) glass panes on the top half and a single wood panel below, the Dutch door perfectly blends cottage charm with clean, contemporary lines, true to the aesthetic Alli envisioned for her home.

When it came to choosing a finish for the door that complements their home’s white exterior, Alli and her husband, Kemper, had a clear vision— they wanted it to be black. “There’s just something so timeless about the combination of black and white—it’ll never go out of style,” Alli explained. Simpson’s new Paint It Black solution made it seamless to translate their vision.

Traditionally, dark paint colors with a Light Reflective Value (LRV) below 55 (pure black has an LRV of 0) absorb more heat than lighter colors, which can cause components of the painted surface to move and deteriorate after long-term exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. But with the Paint It Black performance solution, homeowners like Alli can paint select Simpson exterior wood doors black or any dark color to create a statement-making space without sacrificing the exceptional craftsmanship or warranty protection they’ve come to expect from Simpson.

“I was so excited to learn that Simpson now offers warrantied black doors,” Alli said. “I’m not the most confident DIYer, so it was a huge relief that the finishing was handled by professionals. The door arrived with a flawless, smooth finish and they even stained the interior side, which turned out beautifully.”

Beyond the stunning black paint, what really stood out to Alli was Simpson’s ability to personalize the door down to the last detail. She was able to adjust the cut of the Dutch door so that the split lined up with her home’s window height and tweak the window pane sizes as well. “I’m so grateful to have been able to rely on the craftsmanship of the Simpson team for all the little nuances of this project,” she shared. “As someone who cares about the finer details, the ability to customize the door solidified Simpson as the best on the market for me. You can’t do these kinds of customizations with your standard door company!”

Today, the Dutch door is one of the most used and loved features in the McQuaid home. “It genuinely feels like furniture,” Alli said. “We open the top half on warm days to let in the breeze, while keeping the dog out and the babies in.” It’s also become a favorite during entertaining. “When we have people over, we pass plates and drinks through it while we’re prepping in the kitchen,” she added.

For homeowners planning a renovation, Alli advises an intentional approach. "Before thinking about a specific door or update, I first ask, 'How do I want this room to make people feel?'" she explains. "From that feeling, I create a mood board and focus on foundational materials. Decor can only do so much. The most meaningful pieces are often found slowly over time, each one adding to the story of the space."

Follow Alli’s home renovation journey on TikTok and on Instagram.