<<Back

Haven Door 1
Sources: Norm Whitmark, PasoRobles Door & Trim, 239-5992; Michael Carija, Luna Rustica, 801 7249


    Technically, there is nothing really wrong with my solid mahagony front door—painted black--with its brass fixures and obligatory oval of opaque leaded glass.
     Yet, ever since I've moved into my two-story ranch in Paso Robles, the door's functional but benign look (commonly referred to in the trades as a “contractor's door”) never seemed especially welcoming or capable even of a lukewarm “hello” statement.
     Fond of Southwestern style, and also of the large, simple handcrafted doors recently seen while traveling in Mexico, I knew I wanted to update with something rustic but elegant; something unique but affordable.
    Personalizng a home with a speciality front door is an easy way to change the look of a house without spending a fortune or commiting to weeks of hands-on project work. And the “rules” for what goes with what are pretty much open to interpretation and preference, say those in the business, no matter if you are searching for identity in the suburbs or outfitting a sprawling California ranch to look like it grew up in the wine country.
    How much to spend, how long you're willing to wait, and how unique the product, are among factors to consider when door shopping.
    Among hot styles on the Central Coast are Spanish-influenced solid wood plank doors that are decorated with such embellishment as hand-carvings, fanned windows, curbed archways, and wrought iron “speak-easys” or “dungeon ports” (through which to greet guests, or perhaps refuse their entrance, as in the days of prohibition).
    Many of these doors—called everything from “rustic” to “old world” to “rustic southwestern”- are usually imported from Mexico and range in price from around $850 to well over two grand depending on the workmanship, type of wood and varying costs of installation.
    At Luna Rustica's wherehouse store on Broad Street in San Luis Obispo, “all doors come with their own story, and people seem to enjoy that,” says owner Michael Carija, who travels to Southern and Central Mexico several times a year to meet with furniture artisens, select merchandise, and to oversee his shipping operation from a factory in Guadalahara.
    For years, according to Carija, his store has contracted with local furniture makers in small villages to use reclaimed wood—from shutters, massive doors and other parts of houses and haciendas in the surrounding areas that have fallen into disrepair. The wood, that is 50 to 100 years old, is restored or recrafted for doors, tables and other pieces of furniture and sold in the store.
    “People who buy entry doors from us are looking for something unique-something handcrafted that feels real, warm and interesting,” Carija said. Each order is crafted one at a time, he added.
    Carija describes the style of his merchandise as “western-hacienda,” acknowledging that that it could as easily be Many of the doors have a story to tell and find out where each piece was made.

     Many of the doors—in fact much of the furniture at Luna Rustica—are made from reclaimed wooden structures that are 50 to 100 years old. The wood, often shutters and doors, are taken from building that have fallen into disrepair and cannot be rennovated, according to Carija.
    Customers also can custom doorsorder new doors that look and feel like “rustic” furniture but that are made in Mexico and shipped back to the states. The process, from making the order to is from 8-12 weeks. The reclaimed wood doors take more and usually cost around $2,000. Doors made distressed at the factory, run for around $1,500.
    “We strive for authenticity. Each of our doors is unique, not only because it is hand-crafted using indigious artists who work for us, but also because each piece is made individually. If someone orders six doors, we make them one at a time.

one of our furniture makers but because it is handmade from

At Luna Rustica, customers can customize their doors or choose from a selection

     from doors, shutters and parts of
     For those looking for the best choice of At Luna Rustica's wherehouse store on Broad street in San Luis, “all doors come with their own story,” says owner Michael Carija, who travels to Mexico several times a year to meet with artisens, select merchandise and oversee his shipping operation out of a factory in Guadtalaara.
     Much of the furniture in the wherehouse, in fact, is either built using reclaimed doors, shutters and . some of it is remilled.
     “old doors are becoming scarce. Authentic style going into areas of mexico where building are beyond repair. Timber, shutters are relaims

     it is the finish and fit many people want in their homes-especially in this area.
     Benchcraft and handmade. .
     We bring in a selection of our doors, but many pieces are custom made

     The wood is 50-100 years old. Still made by the indigious people of mexico.
     I personally select wood and also finsihed product. I have builders, sometimes whole families, who have been working for me for years. Reclaimed wood into tables and amnoirs and also doors are refurbished and knots

     Small families never done on a prodcution line and eah piece is both hand made and unique. If we have an order for 6 doors, they are done one at a time. We work with small teams

     Iron is hand-forged.

     A story behind it. Town made it or it came from a house or a an old hacidda in town.

     Our work is obvioulsy hand made. Can customize for 8 foot doors, extra wide doors,

     Can take 8-12 weeks from builder to shipment. Buy through a catalogue you model and stock number. We modify and make variations depending on what you want. We do a lot from photos.

     Iron, wood, cooper

     That was a 70 year old doorthat was painted four different colors over the years. We made it into a cabinet and preserved
     Many of the furniture makes have workshops in their homes or rent out space for themselves, and maybe family members, in their villages.