If you want to upgrade your door set, these choices from Weiserlock are beautiful and very classic — they definitely have a retro feel to me. When you are out at estate sales and inside mid century houses, make sure to notice little details like this. I remember one sale about two years ago just down the street from me… the modern house had the most gorgeous door sets… identical throughout the house – quite similar to the Weiserlock Troy above, although smaller. I remember that the slightly smaller scale, the repetition throughout the house, and the great “hand feel” made them so special. I am sure I looked nutso, pausing among the frenzy to adore them.
In terms of finish – I need to pay more attention to what I see in vintage homes, but in general, I think there weren’t many choices. Go brass in the main house, chrome in the bathrooms. In a 40s house and for some reason – Capes, I think that crystal knobs are delightful. Little touches like this — like diamond earrings — can make our little boxes oh so delightful.
This post was originally published on June 30, 2008.
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- Richmond
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- Troy
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- Ventana
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- Phoenix
Hi Pam, Just thought I would add that in my 1946 Cape Cod Ranch there is also a chrome handle on the kitchen door that goes to the main hallway — chrome on the kitchen side and brass on the hallway side. Same for the bathroom door. No glass handles and I wish there were.
I think it’s so important to get the hardware right when restoring any house. Those smaller details of the house have the power to make or break a good renovation. Pam has observed that they’re the jewelry of the house, so don’t overlook them. I like these pieces a lot, especially the Troy. Their slightly smaller size is great!
Jane is correct: it’s all in the details. I just went through a major drama trying to replace a badly damaged door knob set on my bathroom door. Try finding interior door knobs in chrome finish and tulip shaped (also called bell-shaped, both similar to the Richmond seen here)! Yikes! Lots of brass, lots of faux-bronze, lots of brushed stainless, but no chrome. I ended up special ordering through a local locksmith and waiting several weeks for the delivery … and I paid premium for it. But it was worth it!
I have original weiser door knob sets in my 1955 ranch and they lool very similar to the troy but they are 2-tone. the bathroom knobs are chrome and they lock by pushing in the knob and turning clockwise.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i175/southocgti/IMG_2277.jpg
Billy, I’ve seen those two-tone door knobs before – they are very cool.
Billy – do you know what the type of knob you described is called? My 1956 ranch has all the original knobs, which lock on the inside by pushing in the knob and turning it clockwise.
Are these types of knobs still made? I don’t even know what to ask for!
Thanks
I have been restoring my 1958 bungalow and am trying to match the exact same door handle that Billy showed a picture of. I m pretty sure it is a weiser Troy (an earlier version). If anyone knows of a place to get some more I would love to hear from them. Thanks!
I’ve got door knobs like this in my house:
http://latech.smugmug.com/Other/Hickory-Street-Home/i-8ft2N4T/0/L/photo-L.jpg
The combo of chrome and brass (or copper??) finish flip flops from door knob to door knob. Sometimes the brass is on the chrome part of the knob in the picture example.
Most are in OK condition but have some pitting on them and the finish is just plain rubbed off in some places.
I have no idea who made these. Do you? I’m pretty sure they are original to my 1964 ranch–I’m only the third owner of the home.