TL;DR
Stainless steel cabinet handles usually last longer than chrome ones. Stainless steel is a solid metal alloy containing at least 10.5% chromium throughout, making it highly resistant to rust and structural wear. Chrome handles are typically a thin plating over a zinc or brass core, which can peel, chip, or bubble when exposed to […]
TL;DR
Before you clean a brass cabinet handle, find out whether it’s solid unlacquered brass, lacquered brass, or brass-plated base metal. Each one wants something completely different from you. For routine cleaning of any of the three, wipe with a microfiber cloth dampened in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, then dry […]
TL;DR
Antique cabinet hardware spans roughly 1780–1930 and breaks into seven dominant styles: Federal/Hepplewhite (1780–1820), Empire (1815–1840), Victorian/Rococo Revival (1840–1880), Eastlake (1870–1890), Art Nouveau (1890–1910), Arts & Crafts/Mission (1895–1920), and Art Deco (1920–1935). Identify by motif, casting method, hardware shape, and manufacturer marks.
How to Date Antique Hardware Before You Identify the Style
Five physical features tell […]
Gallery
Gallery