I have the same problem. I'm convinced this has nothing to do with graphite, but is related to the hinge not being properly lubricated. For example, In my home office (unused bedroom, of course) my passageway door has three hinges. Only one hinge squeaks, and not coincidentally, this is the only hinge with the black dust next to it. When you hear the squeak, I'm pretty sure this indicates a stop/start vibration in the hinge that actually flings metal filings away from the hinge surfaces that are squeaking. I took a magnet to the dust, and sure enough, some of it stuck to the magnet (no I didn't actually touch the dust to the magnet, the dust jumped across the distance from the molding to the magnet). So this dust is actually iron filings, coming from the door hinge itself. (note that what you think are brass hinges, are almost always steel hinges with a brass finish) The best idea I've read on this forum is the idea to use wax on the hinge pin. I suspect that any heavier wax or grease would work well, although with less expensive hinges, nothing will last forever. Lighter oils will likely just leave a mess (I think I tried light oil a few years back). If you want to avoid the black dust, ante up the extra money and upgrade to a hinge with real bearings and not just metal-on-metal pins. Good hinges are expensive, so that's why many of us don't have them.

Silver, I agree about the effect of glossy versus flat. I guess I think of a white room with white closets. I did a google images search for those, because in my mind that is the same as beige walls with beige closets, or blue walls with blue closets. To me, when the doors have that much detail, painting them out doesnÂt make them disappear, because in being the same color as the walls but with such a different surface texture, they still stand out - only now it looks like one is trying to hide them and not succeeding. But, and I firmly believe this and say it all the time, it is YOUR space. You should do what works for YOU. There is no right or wrong, just choices and personal taste. So, if painting the door and trim in the wall color will make the room work better for you, then you should do it! Maybe what you should do, with your talent, is paint small paintings on canvas (perhaps a series of floral studies or nature studies) and apply those to the panels in the door( or paint directly on the door, I guess, but then you canÂt remove them and sell them), paint out the surrounding door to look like a darker frame, and create a great focal point!

Greg, that's what I was thinking. If the plan is to have the door open most of the time, I would look at it from the other way - frame in the opening, then put a door on the back side, that swings into the little room. When it's open, it's out of the way; close it, and you have a picture of Alice's rabbit hole, or the closet to Narnia, or some other whimsical artwork. In a few years, if the kids no longer play up there, then you can take off the ladder rungs and hide the opening with a painting. For now, I would want to show off a pretty clever space!

Thank you artistsharonva and scottie mom!! Scottie mom- love your drawing of your bathroom! Looks fantastic. I was thinking that tone is probably as dark as I want to go. Thank you so much for posting all that! I’ve had issues with photos too. Argh. All, question re: bedroom furniture... I need all new furniture. I have my grandmothers set from the 1960s! So there’s an awesome furniture store in my town that carries a brand made locally (well, LA is 1.5hrs..). They will customize pieces and they have a bunch of stain and paint options. So, I don’t think I want all matching but I’m thinking about 2 different colors... maybe 2 dressers in same, then nightstands in another? Headboard will be fabric (different). Thoughts? Good or bad idea? Other suggestions? Thank you!