Help re-purposing my sliding glass door (the half that doesn't slide)

Question

Like many people, I have a sliding glass door to my deck.  One sided slides.  The other is permanently mounted.  I want to use the inside part of it.  He're's the rub... The panel that does move, crosses the panel that doesn't.  So I can't mount anything to it.  I though about hanging something from the above the frame, so it hangs over both doors.  But I'm kind of at a loss as to how to make it all work.  Any thoughts?  P.S., the place is very modern/industrial.  Steel backsplash, glass tiles, art deco lighting, etc. So, no rope shelves, etc. Help?!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

That kitchen is truly amazing. Had a thought of contemporary piece of stained glass.

Z · Answer

You didn't say how you wanted to use it, so I'll just give you an idea that popped into my head that you might like. 
 Buy a box of Vis a Vis Wet Erase Markers and use the door for a message board or even just to draw pictures on.

Jeannette · Answer

When I had doors like this, I installed those screw in wall anchors into the ceiling....I hung hunnysuckle vine and chiffon fabric looped through the vine...it was big and swaggy...I'm sure that's not the look you're going for, but perhaps you could install something into the ceiling as well...

JennB · Answer

You could use a thin gauge wire & hang a word or saying in metal - stainless steel using an eye bolt above the door into the wall.

Mickey Baron · Answer

Hmm, you do need ~something~ I'd look on line at vertical blinds. It's a cool kitchen with a unique style. So you might have to look & look. But you'll be surprised what they're doing with blinds right now. I'm sure you can find a 'steely, industrial style.' I love mine. I can close that area, open it 1/2 way. Or open it entirely! I wanted french doors. But hubby & EVERYONE finally convinced me they eventually warp, leak, etc. So I had the same dilemma you have. Only with an entirely different look. Thought I'd take my blinds down once we changed decor. But I still love them.

Jennifer · Answer

If you are gong to look at blinds then go with the modern type that roll up. The door gives you the needed natural light so I think black roll up blinds that stay raised at the top most of the time. They will cover the top 2 foot or so of the door and look great

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Wouldn't block the light. Would place a tall, narrow tropical, real or artificial, to one side to introduce some colour and to soften angles.

Dee · Answer

Why don't you paint the actual glass. There are all kinds of things you could do with metallic paint . . . pick a motif to accent your decor: use stripes that echo the look of blinds, op-art, or layout a mosaic of whatever . If you really don't want to apply paint to the glass, do whatever on a very thin piece of veneer/plywood that you can set in over the glass. Experimenting with fabric or wallpaper applications would be an economical way to try out your option to see if you really like the door covered before doing something more permanent. Or you could make it a mural that changes with the seasons/your moods! Have fun! p.s. check this out http://www.hometalk.com/diy/windows-doors/doors/faux-etched-glass-1222497

Karen Heaney · Answer

Home Depot and Lowes have decorative window film. It adheres to glass with water and can easily be removed at any time. I have it on my bathroom window in a scroll pattern. Looks elegant. Hope this helps.

Sandra · Answer

Go to a craft shop like Michael's and ask about the fake stained window kits. Plaid makes some but it's been a long time since they made that stuff so other companies may make it.  It should be in the decorative paint section. In kits there are 'paints' which are really rubbery when dry some clear plastic palettes, and some designs you can trace if you want to use those designs. How it works is you decide what type of design you want on your window. Let's say you want to do the entire window with flowers. If you like the designs inside the kit, use them. If you want another design simply find a picture of what you want and use that. If you want a larger design, take it to a copy store and have it enlarged. Then put the plastic sheet over the design and using either the 'lead' (which can be liquid or in strips) and outline your design. If it's liquid, let itmdrymover night.  Then you can fill in the lead. You can really do some beautiful painting with this stuff. Shading,highlights. Make sure you connect the paint with the lead. Let that dry completely. Once it's dry you can peel it off and attach it to your window. It will stick by itself. I used this years ago on my dinette windows. I wanted to make it so you couldn't actually see in, but still let in the light. There is a clear 'paint' that you can put directly on the window. I edged mine all around with ivy that I variegated went I made the leaves. I even made the vines with the 'lead'.  This works extremely well.  That was up on my windows and people thought I had stained glass.  I can't tell you how many said how beautiful my stained glass was.  It helped when I sold the house too.  So, that's a very long winded idea that I think would work great for you. Check it out.

Sandra · Answer

Oh, I just found the perfect example of what I was telling you about. Search in Hometalk (above) for faux etched glass and follow it down to a window done in fall leaves that is the stuff I am talking about.

Susan E · Answer

I saw a blog from England where the girls attached real lace to the windows with starch. It was fabulouso. There are some transparent and semi transparent fabrics out there in metallic and one of them might work for this interior. By the way, the lace was only applied part way up the window, and did not block light.

Moxie · Answer

I think I would mount a painted 2x above the stationary panel and same vertically on the side and one on the floor(flipped up on edge); mount MDO sign board (very smooth) to those to create a pocket for the operable door panel to slide into/operate and then finish the panel to match your decor from amazing stencil to the perfect vinyl wall covering to you could probably even mount 'floating shelves' to the MDO if your are cautious on what weight you put on it...sky would be limit on finishing....just my thought.

Carol Perkins · Answer

glass is to look out of. I'd clean it till it shines, then plant something really pretty outside in a large pot. Place it so that it overlaps the window just a little [or a lot] . It will give the area depth.

Dusty Bookcase · Answer

french doors?

Rose · Answer

Why don't you use the same wood color and make wooden valance across both doors? Just a thought .

Julie · Answer

attach a curtain rod above the doors then hang a herb garden on the stationary side at all different lengths with chrome chain and unique pots

Connie Phillips · Answer

I was going to suggest a big, sliding industrial door but you do not have the wall space. So, I put on my thinking cap and came up with a twist on something I did: glue on crystal prisms to cover the whole window. The light will refract and add bling. I hung these prisms on invisible wire for this effect(I am moving soon and already planning my new idea in my next place and will post photos)

Sandra · Answer

So, great idea. I like it and just think how handy that would be if you had a big soak tub in front of a window.  Pretty idea.  Thanks for that answer.

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Help re-purposing my sliding glass door (the half that doesn't slide)

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