Tag: hardware

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House Numbers, Finally

Christine

At long last, we finally got around to mounting the new house numbers on the front porch!

We’ve only had these pretty metal numbers for the last four years, and since we installed the new old door last August we’ve been completely without house numbers. This became a big problem a few weeks back when I was expecting guests who had never been to my neck of the woods.
So, my friend Marc got roped into helping me put these up one day a few weeks ago. He’s such a good sport. Please forgive the bug dirt, dust and pencil markings. Actually, does anybody know what will remove those pencil markings from the metal siding?
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Upstairs Bathroom Details: Finishing Touches

Christine

I just loved the shape of all the accessories that went with the Standard Collection from American Standard.

The faucet, with its lever-style handles, and porcelain stopper stamped “Standard” in old-fashioned script. The light fixtures, with adjustable angles, and shades that mimic the bell-shape on the faucet.
Co-ordinating t.p. holder.
Even the toilet’s flush lever!
And the important grab bars (from Moen). A safety feature that is also a great place to hang a washcloth.

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"Press" the Buzzer

Christine

Jack also did some touch-ups around the doorbell plate. Three years ago, when we replaced the modern, cheap plastic, oval-shaped doorbell with my new round PRESS, we realized that the new one didn’t quite cover the where the old one had been. So, I figured we’d fix it eventually, and last week Jack did just that when he was putting the finishing touches on the rest of the front door.

I had originally wanted a twist style doorbell. You know, the ones that make the sound like an old-fashioned bicycle bell? Only I didn’t know what to call it. So, I tried to describe it to Jeff, my fabulous and patient electrician. He came back with this buzzer-sounding thing. It kind of reminds me of a doorbell you’d hear on a British television show. It wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind, but dear Jeff had tried very hard to find this and he was so pleased with himself that I didn’t have the heart to tell him that wasn’t what I wanted.

Jeff and me, at the birthday party.

Now, this doorbell buzzer thing is kind of cool, it still had an old-fashioned sound to it. But I seem to be the only one around here who thinks so. Mom and Lewis definitely don’t like it.

Even once I figured out what to call it, I couldn’t find a twist doorbell a couple years ago, and even now, I can’t seem to find one in the black powder-coat finish that all the other outdoor accessories have. Maybe someday. I’m definately willing to replace the buzzer if I ever find a nice twist in black. But for now, I’m rather fond of the one we have. And I love the PRESS, which was very inexpensive. Only $5.99 at VanDykes. And worlds better than that horrible plastic thing that made the ding-dong sound.

The library where I work was built around the same time at Oliver’s bungalow, and the service elevators still have most of their original details intact, including the alarm button, which makes that same bell twist sound I’m after. Of course, I’d hate to be stuck in one of those elevators from 1930 with only that little bicycle-bell sound in hopes of getting someone’s attention! But, it would make for a great doorbell.

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Special Screen Door Hardware

Christine

I ordered special spring hinges and a screen door latch from VanDyke’s for my new screen door. Gotta love that VanDyke’s.

I’m really enamored with the spring hinges because the tension is adjustable, which I never even thought about. They were pricey at $39.99 for a pair (and I needed three hinges, so I had to order two sets, and now I have one hinge left over). But I think they were money well spent.

The hinges were a bit wide where they mount to the door frame, so Bill had to remove a strip of trim. Check out all those giant nails they used to attach that tiny piece of finish trim!But, Jack was able to blend the bare wood very nicely. I know what it looked like, but you have to look very closely, and know what you are looking for to see it now. Great job, Jack!The latch is okay. It has a black powder coat finish, which has already flaked away in one small, unnoticeable spot. I’m sure nobody else would even notice, but I know it is there. So, I’m not exactly thrilled with that. I do love that it locks.

Also, mom got a nasty little metal splinter from the tightening screw, just under the knob. I borrowed a fine metal file from my dad, and was able to make that spot smooth, but now the brassy finish shows through there. Luckily, it is on the underside, so no one should notice that, either.

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Problems With The Locks

Christine

When my grandparents used this door, the hardware was quite different. This didn’t suit my house, but my friend Josh was quite happy to have the old lockset.

The new knob and deadbolt set I’m using needs completely different holes, so I needed the old holes to be filled in. I did ask Jack to do that, but I guess he forgot, so Bill took care of it. He’s such a good sport.Unfortunately, after Bill filled in the spaces, the door looked funny, with its splotches and patches. That’s where Jack works his magic.Jack came last Wednesday to do all the touch-ups to the front door, including trying to disguise the patch job. It actually is less noticeable in person than in these photos. Jack did a pretty good job. I was debating the need for a back plate, but now I’m thinking that would just draw more attention to the problem area. I think we’ll just leave it as is for now.