Crystal Door Knobs - Home Restoration"s Sign of Wealth
Restoring a turn of the century home is a meticulous but often rewarding vocation, if not a calling itself.
Many people do find this type of profession more like a journey wherein one finds a sense of history found in homes.
Marveling at craftsmanship of some tradesmen of days gone past, sometimes such work cannot be found in modern days.
Though restoration may have been a hobby of the privileged, these days one can easily venture into it, without breaking the bank in terms of expenses.
These are the new breed of restorers who actually incorporate new into old by transforming old homes and houses into livable and modern abodes, yet still complete with its history.
The reason for this ability to transform is because of the abundance of apt and suitable replacement parts for furniture or fixtures.
Among these are crystal door knobs which were a sign of opulence and wealth during its day and now because of the economies of scale, are available to most people with a suitable but not extravagant budget.
The key to purchasing a suitable crystal door knob right for a certain home is in the research.
Knowing when that home was built enables one to more or less approximate which type of crystal door knobs were en vogue then.
Knowing this information enables one to replace or add more crystal door knobs to that home.
The other thing that must be highlighted in any restoration is the flooring of the home.
Especially during the late 18th to 19th century, homes were filled with wood slabs as flooring.
These types of hardwood were used as the foundation of the ground floor, staircase, and upper floors.
Often, these slabs were at the very least 6 inches to a foot wide and 3 inches thick.
The length of the floor varied but these floors were truly the mark of someone who has arrived.
The restoration for these floors would involve sanding these floors till one would fine the sheen or the natural color of the wood.
Applying a linseed oil finish to these floors would make them breathable in the sense that the floors would be able to expand and contract with the season.
The next installation would be to cover the floor with a transparent polyurethane coat.
More popularly known as the diamond finish, the floor would shine in its own true look and color, and yet would be almost resistant to all kinds of scratches and mark.
The installation of modern cabinet modules and kitchen fixings may also be done in a retro look style, again based on one's research of the history.
Light paneling and switches could be retro fitted to comply with the look itself.
What is important though is the wiring of the electrical of the house must be inspected and if deemed, rewired.
Using today's wires and cables, one can insure that the home is worthy to be occupied.
Restoration may not be too costly, but it is also not cheap.
Finding the right balance and sourcing out good retro looking material is the key in saving money.
For other things that need to be fixed, getting a contractor may be the best option, lest you have the time and patience to work on it by yourself.
Many people do find this type of profession more like a journey wherein one finds a sense of history found in homes.
Marveling at craftsmanship of some tradesmen of days gone past, sometimes such work cannot be found in modern days.
Though restoration may have been a hobby of the privileged, these days one can easily venture into it, without breaking the bank in terms of expenses.
These are the new breed of restorers who actually incorporate new into old by transforming old homes and houses into livable and modern abodes, yet still complete with its history.
The reason for this ability to transform is because of the abundance of apt and suitable replacement parts for furniture or fixtures.
Among these are crystal door knobs which were a sign of opulence and wealth during its day and now because of the economies of scale, are available to most people with a suitable but not extravagant budget.
The key to purchasing a suitable crystal door knob right for a certain home is in the research.
Knowing when that home was built enables one to more or less approximate which type of crystal door knobs were en vogue then.
Knowing this information enables one to replace or add more crystal door knobs to that home.
The other thing that must be highlighted in any restoration is the flooring of the home.
Especially during the late 18th to 19th century, homes were filled with wood slabs as flooring.
These types of hardwood were used as the foundation of the ground floor, staircase, and upper floors.
Often, these slabs were at the very least 6 inches to a foot wide and 3 inches thick.
The length of the floor varied but these floors were truly the mark of someone who has arrived.
The restoration for these floors would involve sanding these floors till one would fine the sheen or the natural color of the wood.
Applying a linseed oil finish to these floors would make them breathable in the sense that the floors would be able to expand and contract with the season.
The next installation would be to cover the floor with a transparent polyurethane coat.
More popularly known as the diamond finish, the floor would shine in its own true look and color, and yet would be almost resistant to all kinds of scratches and mark.
The installation of modern cabinet modules and kitchen fixings may also be done in a retro look style, again based on one's research of the history.
Light paneling and switches could be retro fitted to comply with the look itself.
What is important though is the wiring of the electrical of the house must be inspected and if deemed, rewired.
Using today's wires and cables, one can insure that the home is worthy to be occupied.
Restoration may not be too costly, but it is also not cheap.
Finding the right balance and sourcing out good retro looking material is the key in saving money.
For other things that need to be fixed, getting a contractor may be the best option, lest you have the time and patience to work on it by yourself.