It does not seem like much, but a great looking door knob makes a huge difference. All of a sudden the door takes a new look and can actually change the impression we get of the room. Here are a few tips to choose the right one for you and your home decor.
A beautiful door knob has the effect that a gorgeous pin has on a plain classic black dress, it is noticed and it makes the whole ensemble take on a new aspect, if it were not there everything would be mundane, drab, sad looking. Nowhere can we see that better than when we look at the beauty of antique door knobs or antique door handles.
It is true that we rarely attach much thought to the door knobs, or that we seldom consider changing them, and we are wrong, because replacing them is as spectacular as repainting a room or redoing the floor.
If the door knob has been forgotten for the longest time, we see a resurgence of attention to small details and to this useful object. As soon as some attention from consumers was directed towards the knobs we have seen an increase in the type of materials used, and the shapes have taken new designs. What is even better for consumers is that prices are also widening in range. Antique door knobs were made of brass, crystal, ceramics, wood, and today’s manufacturers are making replicas using all these materials and some newer ones like acrylic.
Click on image for more details on this door knob
Be careful however not to let your imagination take you too fast. You have to know a few things before you order. What type you will need on your door. There is not one standard for all doors, so you must do a little checking and measuring. If you live in an old home you may have to go to a specialized website to order antique door knobs as the newer models will not work. Don’t worry there are many affordable reproduction of antique door knobs and you will find a period look at an affordable price.
When ordering antique door knobs you will need to know the length of the spindle (that is the metal part that attaches the knobs to each other) as if you order the wrong length it could be too short or too long. The thickness of the spindle is irrelevant as you will get a spindle that fits the knob you are ordering.
You must also pay some attention to the width of the knob itself. If you buy one that is much larger than the one you have it might be to close to the edge of the door and you could hurt your fingers when opening and closing doors.
Lastly you must turn your interest to the rosette or backplate that you will be using. It would not do to install a rosette that clashes with your new hardware, but the size must also correspond to your current one. It can be a little larger but cannot be smaller as a part of the hole would show, making the whole look unattractive at best.
Since you might be indulging in something for your sense of beauty in your home, you might as well indulge just a little more and think that whether you install an antique door knob or a modern one, you are installing the first sensual contact that you have with the room that you are entering… Choose it according to your sense of style, according to what inspires you, in a material that makes you dream.
