Bad Brass

By Janette | Uncategorized

Author: Autumn

I need your help on this one – really, I do.

As you know we are in the dirty, ugly part of the total remodeling of our new townhouse. Everything that needed to be has been gutted, new walls have gone up, cabinets have been selected, the bathrooms are almost complete, the kitchen cabinets will arrive next week , the unfinished hardwood is piled in the family room and acclimating to its new environment, the new HVAC systems are in, and the rewiring is complete. There is dust everywhere, but since we are living in a rental while all of this goes on, the workers have the freedom to be as messy as they need to be.

Meanwhile, my husband decided that we need to replace all of the interior doors. We really don’t like hollow doors. For us, the choice has always been solid wood-paneled doors. Since some of the existing doors don’t meet those specs, they all need to go. That is fine, but that is not where I need your help.

I am at a loss as to which hardware to choose for these new doors. In the house we just sold, we had Baldwin brass hinges and French handles on all of our doors. But, somewhere along the line when I wasn’t looking, brass became a bad brass. It was labeled as dated, and so 1980’s. To me, it has always been the classic selection. When all other finishes seem to come and go, brass was always there in the background being its classic self. It’s kind of like jewelry. Trends show up, but pearls are always the safe choice because of their understated classic appeal.

But, here we are in 2011 when we have the choice of oil rubbed bronze, which is my least favorite, polished nickel, brushed nickel, black, brushed brass, and shiny brass. I also have the choice of oval knobs, round knobs, and handles. No matter what we choose, I fear that in a few years the look will be, “oh, so 2011”, and the proper hardware is a big investment. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a selection that will date our house in a few years. Case in point: We built a house 30 years ago and all of our fixtures were oil rubbed bronze, except it was called something different then – antique bronze. Well, since then it has gone way out of style and now is back. I feel as if I have “been there, done that” and really don’t want to even consider it as an option this time around.

Glass knobs, in a new version similar to Jordan’s lovely antique glass knobs are available, but I don’t know if the quality of the reproductions is as good as the originals. Does anybody have any experience with them?

Our townhouse is in an historic part of town and is across from one of the city’s oldest and most historic parks. Although we aren’t letting that dictate our selections, we are keeping an awareness of the classic neighborhood in mind when we make our selections. We don’t want to have a culture shock when we enter the door.

So, all of you out there in blogland, could you please help me out by answering my little poll? I realize there are lots of other options out there, but in order to keep everybody sane, I am limiting the choices.Just let me know what you would do.

Finish
Polished BrassAntique

BrassPolished

NickelBrushed

NickelOil-rubbed

BronzeBlack

metalGlass

Shape

RoundOval

Handles

Please answer in the comment form below. Thanks so much.

I will let you know which choice won and what I eventually select.

Take care.

Photos proved by Google. We were not paid by Baldwin to mention their name.