salvage grip pull
This is a great example of a salvage piece of hardware that has been left to age on a great old door.
8 x 8 hinges ball bearing | oil rubbed bronze
These massive hinges were finished for a meeting house in Indiana by our shop. The bearings and quality of these original hinges are capital. The doors actually swing out so extra care was taken to provide enough plating and a special clear coat to protect it as long as possible from the environment.
custom gropious hardware | marvin exterior doors
This hardware was custom manufactured and hand finished by our folks here in Wilmette. The hardware is being installed on a home here in Lake Forest, Illinois. Custom shower door pulls and interior hardware is all being fabricated in the same design.
german silver sink
This german silver sink is a great example of the quality craftsmanship of the 1920’s. The patina of age of the german silver from use in a butler’s pantry is extremely difficult to get in a reproduction. This sink is going to be installed in a vintage condo in the city.
custom art deco light fixtures
These custom art deco light fixtures were made for a lobby in downtown Chicago. The final finish is oil rubbed bronze. The designer generated a drawing for our craftsman to follow – here is a photo during the final assembly process.
oil rubbed bronze | hardware restoration
These great old milk glass knobs came from a home here in Wilmette that we think Frank Lloyd Wright was involved in designing. The simple plates were re-manufactured by our shop because the originals were missing. The homeowner did most of the hardware schedule and installation/coordination himself. Attention to detail and organization with a project like this is critical if you are doing this yourself (call or email for some pointers). Hopefully we will have some final install photos soon!
david adler | knob and rosette prototype
This original knob and rosette from a David Adler home in Lake Forest, Illinois will be used to manufacture custom reproduction period hardware for exterior doors. There are other Adler pieces that will also be used from our collection. We have molds and drawings for many Adler pieces (though there are so many more we wish to replicate).
olive knuckle hinge
Here is a great close up of an installation of our olive knuckle hinge in silver. We also make various paumelle hinges as well as standard butt hinges (standard and ball bearing type).
salvage flush bolts (bronze and brass)
Here are some great salvage flush bolts from our salvage inventory. These pieces are great for restoration and repair projects as well as ideas for new custom piece concepts.
traditional ice box hardware | polished nickel
Here are photos of our traditional ice box hardware finished in polished nickel. These pieces are made and finished right here in Illinois by our fine craftsman. The brass parts are all machined and not cast giving a completely flawless finished appearance. If you have any questions about these please call or email at info@wilmettehardware.com.
historic hardware replication & casting
This is a photo from a wonderful restoration project in Chicago, Illinois of a Benjamin Marshall building.
We have removed hardware samples for sculpting, pattern making, foundry work, machining and finishing. Some of the doors are over 11 feet tall and the entry doors will be made (back to 2 1/4″ as the originals were). Look for more photos of our work on this project.
knife pull
I don’t know why we love using these knife pulls on projects for concealed doors. Such a simple clean piece of hardware generates so many comments and questions.
Our knife pulls are available in any finish and have a nominal exposure when the door is closed.
iron lantern reproduction
Here is a photo of a lantern we just completed for a project locally. This is one of a pair that will be hung in a family room with a beamed ceiling detail.
If you have an antique lantern or photos/sketches of a fixture you would like to have replicated a call let our team take a look at providing an estimate.
silver butt hinges
Here is the balance of the silver plated hinges from a post about 2 weeks ago. Often architects would use silver plated hardware in formal areas of homes (living rooms, dining rooms, parlors, morning rooms, etc.) We have done our best at bringing a revival to this great traditional habit of old.
iron rim lock
This great old rim lock will be reproduced for a project we are working on in Maryland. Many of the old rim locks or ‘carpenters’ locks were made of iron and had hollow solid brass knobs. Sometimes the locks were non-handed or reversible.
