We’ve all done it — admired something in a neighbor’s home and secretly wished they would sell it to us. Gutsy Gabe and Amanda, owners of a 1954 North Carolina time capsule house , had their eye on a nearby home’s vintage screen door for years before they inquired about buying it. Much to their delight, the owner gave it to them for free.
Gabe writes:
I’ve passed this house my whole life but for the past few years I’ve longed to own that killer screen door! The house has been vacant for a couple years now so I stopped to ask the neighbors about the owner and told them I was interested in buying the decoration off the screen. They took my name number and I also left a note on the door as well.
Last month I finally received a phone call from the owner. She was so nice and said I could just come get it. She had acquired the property from her grandmother who is now in assisted living. They were planning to sell the house on the courthouse steps and wasn’t worried about a missing screen door. As a matter of fact she was delighted that we took interest in preserving it.
After getting it home and taking it apart from the old door frame, it needed quite a bit of TLC. My dad and I bent the pieces back into shape, fabricated a new cattail leaf to replace one that was missing.
Then we made a frame out of square metal tubing to help attach it to my door at home. We also made little mounting brackets to mount it by, and to hold the whole thing up off the glass.
Then it was sent off to be sandblasted and powder coated to match my door at home.
When I got it back I was amazed at the detail that was preserved under the decades of house paint and rust. Notice the feathers, beak and eye. Things were made so great back then (1920’s or 30’s) this thing is still a heavy and beautiful piece of decorative steel even after being in the elements all those years.
Next, I centered it up, and mounted it to our glass storm door using sheet metal screws. I think the little lady’s grandma would be proud of our repurposing her vintage screen door appliqué ! Now it may survive on for further generations to be appreciated!
You guys did a fantastic job refinishing the vintage screen door — and it looks wonderful on your house, too. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. You’ve given me the guts to finally ask some of my neighbors about those midcentury bits I’ve been wondering about. Hopefully I have your kind of luck!
UPDATE: After this story went live, we heard from Linda, granddaughter of the woman who was the original owner of the vintage screen door that Gabe and Amanda refinished.
Linda writes:
OMG! my Grandmother’s screen door looks so beautiful, you did such a fantastic job. As a child,I always loved that door, unfortunately my Grandmother passed away and my 2 aunts had the house and as they aged so did the house. I’m so glad that you left that note and you preserved a part of my childhood. Indeed Ms. Lena would have been so glad that it found such a beautiful home. Enjoy!
vicki says
Great job Gabe!…Still playing bass guitar?
Gabriel nicholson says
Thank you!! Oh Yes, among other stuff-
Shaernurse says
Does anyone know where I could buy a screen door like this or near the design. Thank you
pam kueber says
hiphaven.com (an advertiser)
Pam says
My inlaws had this same screen door, and just the other day we were trying to figure out what happened to it. I have since been in search of one like it, so I googled it to see if I could find one. And your picture came up What a beautiful job you all did. Do you know where I might get my hands on one?
nina462 says
I found an advert in The American Home magazine (May 1951), So lovely, yet cost so little! $21.50……I believe it was made by the National Guard Products, Inc., 540 Jackson Ave, P:O Box 1520, Memphis 1. Tenn. (the one pictured in the ad, has a duck).
JoAnne Travis says
U guys made that dr sooo beautiful I’m glad u do such good work!! Would live to have ur address so we can ride by & see it
Gabriel Nicholson says
JoAnne, connect with me on Facebook – I will give you the address- would love for you to visit-
Gabriel Nicholson says
Thanks Linda! It would be my pleasure! I will contact you tonite for an address- thanks again!
Linda says
Hi Gabe, Still amazed at the great job you did on Grandmother’s door. Is there any way you could print the story and pictures and mail them to me. My two aunts whom are in the nursing home would absolutely love this. They are 91 and 94 yrs. young
This was their home!
J D Log says
Great work Gabe & Amanda, there was a house a few blocks away with a double door palm trees and waves it was bulldozed very quickly although the house was in great condition, I guess it’s the Sydney real estate prices.
I looked through my store and mail order catalogues they were offered till as late as 1967 over here all sorts of birds, ships, Mexicans even boomerangs. There are quite a few left in my area with the patterns but the picture ones are rare.
I have a pattern one where i have rebuilt the wooden frame restored the iron. I have mounted it just got to finish off the beading and the fly screen. They really do look great.
I am also working on restoring a scrolled butterfly address number scroll and letterbox with stand. Your letterbox inspired me to try and build something custom.
Shelley says
Moon Shine Shades in Texas also makes repro screendoor inserts: http://bit.ly/1BvcNfA
Kit says
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful service to rescue something that looked so completely wasted. You and your dad went to a huge effort of time and no doubt, dollars spent, and the result is gorgeous.
That there is such a touching story with a personal note attached makes it so much better still! I loved the look and idea of the rescue anyway, but extra touch of history is just super.