The raw wooden surface of this door called for something different and creative. It was first primed and painted. Then in keeping with the rustic style of the kitchen a rooster was painted on the upper section and then sealed with varnish to protect it. The simple lines of the Iris handle in satin finish add the finishing touch.

One rule, when decorating your home, is to complete the shell before you start bringing in fabrics and accessories. While most people think that this just means the walls, floors and ceiling, the shell also includes the doors.

Bland, boring and unattractive doors can detract from a beautiful decorating scheme. But a simple facelift can give them the style and good looks necessary to complement your home. There are a number of ways you can do this yourself without spending a fortune. To transform a wooden door, strip and stain it with a flat coat, technique it to look older, or replace worn, dated handles with stylish new ones. In a featureless room decorated with neutrals use the door to create interest. Paint the door a beautiful colour and you'll discover just how much excitement it can add to your room. Pick up the colour in scatter cushions and one or two accessories. When you get tired of it, all you have to do is repaint the door, add stainless steel handles and you’ll have achieved a whole new look. Other ideas include adding moulding to give doors more interest. By applying moulding you can 'upgrade' an inexpensive hollowcore door into a solid-looking, panelled door. You can either use simple beading or more elaborate moulding to divide the door into two, four or six panels. The moulding can be painted the same colour as the door for a subtle textured look or picked out in a toning or contrasting colour for more impact.

This was an old, weathered, wooden door that had suffered from neglect. To restore its handsome looks and renew its warm welcome it was first sanded then stained with a 50:50 mix of Imbuia stain and turpentine. To give it an aged effect the stain solution was rubbed on with a ragging technique. A second coat was applied to deepen the colour before two layers of Woodoc sealer were applied. To complement the door the elegantly curved, brass Lily handle from Eureka was fitted.

Here an inexpensive hollow-core door was given an elegant look with beading glued and nailed to the door. It was first primed and then painted a light base colour. Antiquing glaze was applied to 'age' it. To complement the contemporary style, Tulip handle, Silver Dust, mixed with scumble glaze, was rubbed in around the mouldings to give the effect of depth and richness.

Rubbing glazes over these mouldings will give depth and the impression of age. These panelled sections can be further enhanced with discreet stencilling. In small spaces with many doors, such as hallways and passages, the answer is to make the doors blend with the walls. Giving them the same paint effect as the walls and using simple streamlined handles will help to achieve this. You could also use the doors as you would a wall. For instance hanging a vertical line of black and white photographs or framed botanical prints on a door. Alternatively you could let your door be decorative in its own right, by turning it into a work of art. Commission an artist to paint a trompe l'oeil (a painted illusion) perhaps of a garden– view or a landscape. If you would like to try your own hand at this, an overhead projector can be useful for projecting an image onto the door. Again, new handles make a big difference. If you are artistic, you could paint a series of squares on your door to create your own Mondrian for instance. Horizontal stripes are very fashionable and easy to paint. First paint a base coat then measure the stripes you want to add, carefully marking them with masking tape. Use a spirit level to make sure they are straight, then paint using contrasting or complementary colours. Another idea is to label your children's bedrooms, by painting a large initial on each door.

The design of this basic tongue and- groove door was the inspiration for a fun, colourful entrance to the children's playroom. The door was first primed, then the panels were painted in bright, vibrant colours. The playful theme was carried through with a painting of teddy bears which was sealed to protect it. Completing the effect is the Daisy handle from Eureka.

The subtle finish on this door can be done in any colour and works well in Contemporary as well as Tuscan and Provencal schemes. It was ideal for the bedroom doors which all lead off the same passage. When there are a number of doors leading off a small space it is best to keep them uniform for a harmonious appearance. The door was first primed before the pale base coat was applied. Then a glaze mixture was rubbed on with a soft rag using a technique that can be easily mastered. Protecting the finish is a coat of sealer. The stylish, satin finish, stainless steel Rose handle from the Eureka range complements the effect.

The new Fleur range of handles from Eureka are made from stainless steel containing chromium and nickel. This gives the handles a built-in shine and makes them highly corrosion resistant, easy to clean and hardwearing. They won't rust or stain and maintain their good looks for years.

Made from locally-produced stainless steel they are a proudly South African product and, as a result, very affordably priced. The range includes six elegant designs in stainless steel and solid brass so that there is a handle for every style of door.

To demonstrate just how easy it is to upgrade your doors we asked paint effects artists Leola and Matt Nel from Torch Lifestyle to transform the doors in a typical, South African home.