Going Dutch (door that is)

The first time I ever saw a Dutch door, I was about 8 years old and watching the friendliest talking horse there ever was - Mr. Ed. Do you remember he used to talk to Wilbur from behind his Dutch door?

These days, I'm much more interested in the charm and character a Dutch door can add to a home. I think they are such a perfect way to let in light and fresh air and SO practical with kids.

Here's some of my absolute favorite images of Dutch doors that I pinned onto my For the Home Pinterest board (warning: there is almost no rhyme or reason to what I've pinned onto this board other than everything is awesome...just sayin')

I could just about die at the perfection that is this image. It is straight out of my dreams and in my dreams, it's the door on the side of my 250 year old home in Hingham or Marblehead, MA sitting in the shade of some 300 year old oak trees.

I think a Dutch door is fantastic for a mudroom entry area. And you know I'm obsessed with mudrooms right?

Putting a Dutch door on a side entrance gives you a bit more freedom to play with color that you might not otherwise consider for a front door. I love the pop it adds to the interior when you have the top of the door open!

I think they also work great in a kitchen that opens up to a backyard area. Perfect for keeping an eye on the kid's playing out back!

This image is interesting because there doesn't appear to be a top to the door at all AND it's an interior door. I'm not sure in what application this would be useful but that doesn't stop me from liking it.

Some more interior Dutch doors. These make a lot of sense to me for kid's rooms where you can close the bottom but leave the top open to sneak a peak at what mischief is going on in there.

A Dutch door at the beach house would let you bring the view and the breeze in - perfect on all fronts.

So I have to know...do you have a Dutch door in your home? Or have you ever lived in a home with one? Are they as fun as the child in me imagines them to be?