Crown City Hardware — a fascinating resource for vintage style hardware

Update: Alas, this company no longer seems to be in operation. I will retain this story for the record, for now.

Recently, reader Tisha wondered where she might be able to find a vintage or reproduction door set for a bathroom door like in Rachel’s vintage black, green and pink bathroom. Pam immediately sent her to look at the interior door escutcheons at Crown City Hardware — a business that has been around since 1916.

Crown City Hardware has an extensive selection of more than 100,000 hardware items … prices range from the affordable to spendy rare … and Pam says that the quality of everything she ever purchased there was great. While the company mostly specializes in hardware for houses older than those we typically write about here, there are quite a few parts that could feel right at home in a 1930s, 1940s or even 1950s home. Here, as just a small sampling, are eight products that might come in handy for Retro Renovators.

1. Half surface, steel plated, free swinging cabinet hinges, like those found on vintage kitchen and bathroom cabinets are available in several sizes and five finishes — Antique Brass, Oil-Rubbed Bronze, Polished Brass, Polished Chrome and Satin Nickel — for $4.99 each pair.

2. Porcelain bath fixture brackets, just what you might need to hang vintage porcelain bathroom fixtures missing their original hanging hardware, 4 styles available: $2.49 — $2.99 each.

 

3. Push button light switches. The product description for Crown City Hardware’s push button lights reads:

Few things add an authentic, historic look to a home’s interior like genuine push button light switches. Push button switches were used in a majority of American homes in the first half of the 20th century, and we’ve duplicated them right down to the synthetic mother of pearl inlay.

And they are right, an old home with push button light switches does feel more authentic. Crown City Hardware’s selection of push button light switches are available in several configurations including dimmer switches, available from $14.99 — $38.99 each.

4. Glass pulls are fantastic for folks who are wanting to do a prewar style bathroom, or even fun for dressing up vintage furniture finds. The glass pulls are available in seven styles and a large array of colors including Amber, Black, Cobalt, Depression Green, Forest Green, Milk Green (Jade), White and Clear — depending on the style selected. Prices range from $6.99 — $10.89 each.

5. Glass knobs would also look fantastic in a prewar style kitchen or bathroom, or to restore vintage furniture. There are 21 different styles of glass knobs, many being available in more than one size, multiple colors — including Jadeite Green! — and the glass knobs with metal elements are available in several metal finish options. Knobs range in price from $2.89 — $11.59 each.

6. Seeing bakelite waterfall pulls made Pam want to buy a 1920s or 1930s to restore. Crown City Hardware has four styles of bakelite waterfall pulls and one style of knob — which are zinc and bakelite diecast reproductions from the depression era — ranging in price from 4.99 — $6.99.

7. Cabinet pulls with non-standard center-to-center hole spacing. If you have existing vintage cabinets or furniture with pulls that don’t have the standard 3″ hole spacing, check out Crown City Hardware’s selection, which features several spacing options including 2 3/4″ and 3 1/2″.

8. Crown City Hardware Catalog. If you’ve looked over the whole website and still want to go further down the rabbit hole, consider ordering Crown City Hardware’s catalog. Called the “Hardware Bible” to many in the vintage home restoration industry, volume 7 has 400 pages filled with high resolution black and white photos of hard to find hardware, exclusive reproductions, rare pieces and restored antiques. The catalog sells for $4.99 to the general public and is free for industry professionals such as architects and designers.

Link love:

• Shop Crown City Hardware