As you well know, I am a HUGE fan of vintage items, the patina, the color, the wear of love in use….what could be more fun than collecting vintage doors knobs! A good start, as always, a trip to the monthly (Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30 from 10 to 5) Randolph Street Market
My photos on site at Randolph Street Market. These I found at the RSM in the Olde Good Things booth they were salvaged from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, which is in the midst of being renovated. I am particularly fond of the crystal ones but also like the white porcelain ones as well I bought some several years ago, white porcelain, for my all white bathroom door and in my naïveté thought one size fits all….silly Nena….hardly! I suggest you do your homework, if adding vintage doorknobs to your home whether it is a fixer upper or modern…measure, measure, measure and then measure again. Take a photo of your existing door knob, or the actual piece, with you along with your standard antiquing kit of magnifying glass, tape measure, etc. when on your quest for anything that is sized.
An ordinary builders grade set….shall we see if we can improve on this seen everywhere piece and…Lets look at some that I found on Pinterest….there are, of course, zillions to attract your eye and imagination….here just a few images.
A fun “bouquet”.
These could be mounted on your wall for decor or to hang bags, jewelry, belts, whatever’s….I think they would make an interesting art instillation.
Or you could top a cork and use as a bottle stopper like I have done….here one in my kitchen, photo by me.
A very close up photo (!!!!!!) of one of the knobs I got years ago at Anthropologie , love that store….they are on my closet doors. You are getting a look at the green of all my walls (and ceiling) of my teeny home, every wall except the bathroom which is all shades of white.
Or how about tiny vases or from rustique art’s Pinterest site…a photo, postcard, note holder….love the whimsy of these. What can you think of, in your creative minds, to use these tiny works of art in your decor.
I’m beyond obsessed with this glorious piece, spectacular, who does craftsmanship like this today…..extraordinary….did you notice, with few exceptions…all my photos are “ green”.
You have seen some keys in the locks….check out how the ubertalented Margaret Buckman uses them in jewelry. I did Margaret’s wonderful story on November 14, 2016….do check it out in the nenasnotes Archives, you will be enthralled!
Books on the subject, of course….here are a couple that got my interest…and I’ll do a post on unique doors and another on door knockers in the future.
All photos unless otherwise noted found on Pinterest photo credit unknown.
Absolutely love this article on doorknobs. I used old ones on my doors and chest of drawers years ago in my previous home. I do love your idea using knobs for bottle stopper and using door handles to use as hangers for coats or handbags . I always say when I see something so simple and creative as these “why didn’t I think of that”??
Fun one to do. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you soon.