the Fine Architectural Hardware Blog » Interesting Hardware

parisian espagnolette

administrator — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:50:13 +0000

we receive hardware photos from around the world. yes, our friends are hardware nerds, too. these photos were taken in paris.

massive espagnolette in paris

on massive doors in paris!

i thought everything was supposed to be bigger in texas... send us your hardware photos!

simple bin pull for replication

gbettenhausen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:07:00 +0000

This simple bin pull is being re-manufactured to become a part of our cabinet hardware line. If you are an architect or designer and wish to have a sales representative come out and show some of our samples send us a quick email to info@wilmettehardware.com.

georgian turned brass knob

gbettenhausen — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:29:39 +0000

These fabulous turned brass georgian entry knobs weigh over two pounds each. The weight and feel of this hardware reminds us of how hardware was selected (and how important details were). Some architects and designers are having a revival of incorporating these fabulous traditional details into their projects.

custom shower door pull concept

gbettenhausen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:23:53 +0000

This traditionally styled shower door pull/handle will be made with brass hexagon material with turned details. The final finish of this will be a high polished nickel.

molds for lost wax casting process

gbettenhausen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:58:11 +0000

This is a photo of some of our molds in our pattern collection of over 500 pieces (relating mostly to hardware and some other miscellaneous projects). We are working on another entry for this fall that will detail the lost wax process and show patterns being made as well as examples/details of hardware projects.

If you are missing a piece of hardware (even if it is only a cabinet knob) for your restoration project we would be happy to make one for you.

historic finishes introduction

gbettenhausen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:55:44 +0000

This hardware is for a historic building in Chicago we are restoring all the hardware on. The finish is Bower-Barf — we are in the process, developing a historic finishes resource to assist homeowners, designers and architects with determination and the historical process of plating and finishing.

Much of these finishes cannot be done today because of environmental regulations. However, new technologies and processes allow us to achieve the same final finish with a more advanced and cleaner process. Unfortunately most of the time the labor involved with even the new process is just the same if not more intense.

pocket door flush pulls

gbettenhausen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:32:11 +0000

This is a great example of using the new with the old. These mirrored pocket doors are a part of a local hardware installation. The flush pulls are actually about 90 years old and being used with new edge pulls. Hopefully we will see some more photos from this project soon.

wilmette hardware | prototype

gbettenhausen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:35:15 +0000

This knob and rosette was removed from an apartment at 1500 North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

The building is a French Renaissance style and cost $5mm to construct in 1927-29. Each unit was built with silver vaults and wood burning fireplaces.

custom knob insert | chicago

gbettenhausen — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:54:22 +0000

This sculpt is the center portion of a knob created by a Chicago architect (for more information on the designer contact geb@albarwilmette.com) for a Chicago apartment.

The final oval knob will have a turned rosette and be finished in burnished nickel. All existing hardware in the apartment will be finished to coordinate with the new hardware.

lexington hotel chicago illinois

gbettenhausen — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:25:27 +0000

This is a door knob from the famous Lexington Hotel in Chicago. This building was demolished over a decade ago. This knob is worth about 200.00 to a collector and was cast in bronze specifically for this hotel. Collector’s enjoy hardware that has provenance and can be identified with a specific building or home.

St. Pierre’s Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland

gbettenhausen — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:36:27 +0000

This is an original iron hardware set from Geneva, Switzerland (where Calvin began his work). The detail of the old masters is absolutely incredible.

screen door latch

gbettenhausen — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:01:32 +0000

This fine screen door latch is available in several back-sets for various door conditions. We would love to help you select hardware and finishes for your next project. Our finishes and plating is second to none.