New York State of Mind

In honor of the World Series Champion New York Yankees, we feature the Nostalgic Warehouse New York doorplate series in this space today. Much like the New York Yankees, The New York doorplate design is a classic that has been popular for over a century. Befitting of its namesake, the New York doorplate sets are sophisticated, understated, and unpretentious. Okay, so maybe that isn't exactly New York's reputation but the Yankees and the New York doorplate sets do have one more thing in common. They are both winners! And if you are not a New York fan, Shop 4 Classics offers many, many other door hardware options to choose from.

New Vintage Themed Cabinet Hardware from the John Wright Company

If you are looking for an easy fall fix-up project, consider dressing up your kitchen cabinets with stylish knobs from the John Wright Company. In addition to highly traditional designs, the John Wright Company’s collection of cabinet knobs also includes knobs with ornate designs, eye-catching hexagon shaped knobs, and very rustic odd shaped knobs. All knobs are constructed of solid cast iron and are available in unique finishes like vintage iron, aged copper and oxidized brass. Pair a distinctive John Wright designed knob with any one of their numerous finishes to arrive at a fresh look that compliments your kitchen cabinets and décor.

The Final Lesson in the Fine Art of Bronze Hardware

Well, class is over and my bronze sculpture is complete. This past Sunday, I sandblasted my sculpture to clean and open the bronze up for the application of our patinas. Patinas are chemicals that react with the surface of bronze by changing its color. This process is similar to what naturally occurs when bronze is exposed to elements over much longer periods of time.

We could choose from black, brown, and green patinas. The patinas were applied in what is referred to as a hot process, which means that the bronze was torch heated before the patinas were brushed on. A cold patina process, patina applied on unheated metal, is typically used on decorative hardware like most of Shop 4 Classics bronze vent covers. I found the hot patina process cumbersome because I had to maneuver a gas fed torch in one hand and a patina brush in the other. After the patina was applied, I scrubbed my character's arms, legs, and head to once again expose the true bronze. Similarly, true bronze hardware has what is called a “living finish” because the color of the bronze changes as it is exposed to the elements. When bronze hardware is rubbed, the patina will wear exposing the typically golden yellow bronze. Patina will rub off of frequently used bronze cabinet knobs and bronze door knobs showing the true color of bronze. For most, this wearing off of the patina is appreciated as it adds character to the knob.

Classic Grills provides a good example of how patinas can be applied to produce different looks to the same product. Classic Grills offers the same bronze vent cover grilles in black and brown patinas. Visit our Finish Tips for more information of hardware finishes.

Today’s Acrylic Clawfoot Tubs Go Toe-to-Toe With Traditional Cast Iron Clawfoot Tubs

Acrylic clawfoot tubs are offered in all the same styles and finish as their cast iron counterparts. Weight remains the main difference between the two types. I guess you could say that acrylic bathtubs could be considered featherweights compared to the heavyweight cast iron tub. However, today’s durable acrylic tubs are not chumps and can go round for round with their cast iron counterparts.

Round 1: Style
Acrylic tubs are offered in all the popular vintage styles of tubs including slipper, double ended, and pedestal. However, acrylic tubs are typically only offered in sizes five feet longer or greater, whereas, cast iron tubs are offered in smaller sizes. More manufacturers produce cast iron tubs. As a result, there is generally a wider selection of cast iron tubs available. Further, since each manufacturer offers their own style and selection of finishes of tub feet, more feet options are available for cast iron tubs. Finally, some manufacturers provide custom painting options for their cast iron tubs.

Round 2: Plumbing Options
Acrylic clawfoot tubs use the same clawfoot faucets and clawfoot shower sets as similar cast iron tubs. Likewise, tub drains and supply lines will also fit acrylic and cast iron tubs alike. Typically, people want to match the finish of their tub’s plumbing with its feet. Most faucet finishes are very similar between manufacturers. However, oil rubbed bronze and other specialty finishes may vary among manufacturers. Therefore, we recommend pairing the manufacturer’s plumbing with their tubs if you have concerns about matching finishes.

Round 3: Weight
Traditional clawfoot cast iron tubs can weigh over 80 lbs per foot in length and nearly twice as much when filled with water. Therefore, the weight of cast iron tubs may be a concern, especially for second story installations. Acrylic tubs typically weigh a third as much as similarly sized cast iron tubs making them a stylish alternative where tub weight becomes a concern.

Round 4: Bathing Experience
Cast iron tubs are very heavy and therefore provide a reassuring feeling for the bather when entering and exiting. The surface of acrylic tubs warms up quickly to the temperature of the bath’s water. Cast iron, on the other hand, retains the temperature of the room longer than an acrylic tub. Therefore, acrylic tubs maybe preferred in baths that are difficult to keep warm during winter months.

Round 5: Durability
The porcelain interiors of cast iron tubs are abrasion, stain, and wear resistance. The interiors of acrylic tubs are chip resistant but can be scratched and will break down if strong chemical cleaners (especially acetates) are used to clean it. Cast iron tub are capable of being refinished extending their lifespan much further than what should be expected from acrylic tubs.

Round 6: Ease of Installation
Installation of both acrylic and cast iron tubs is similar. However, due to their lighter weight, it is much easier to move an acrylic tub.

Round 7: Price
The price of acrylic tubs is often very comparable to similarly styled and sized cast iron tubs. Since Shop 4 Classics provides free shipping on both types of tubs, the cost of shipping is not relevant when purchasing your tub from Shop 4 Classics.

Since acrylic tubs are offered in all of the same styles and within the same price ranges as cast iron clawfoot tubs, the process of choosing between an acrylic and a cast iron clawfoot tub often ends with a technical decision. Visit Shop 4 Classics Clawfoot Tub Buying Guide for more information on selecting the right tub for your home.

Stair Hardware: Giving Stairs a Lift

When I was a youth, my childhood friend, Darrel, had an elevator in his home. His home wasn't big or extravagant but Darrel's forward-thinking father installed an elevator in their "modern" two-story home. Some might say that Darrel's father was ahead of his time but I think his father was just plain wrong. Elevators are no more common in homes today than they were in the 70's. On the other hand, the staircase continues to thrive. Stairs are still used to traverse stories in the 21st century.

In some homes, especially Victorian era homes, staircases can be quite grand and are a featured architectural centerpiece. Stair hardware is designed to enhance stairways; both functionally and decoratively. Stair rail brackets with intricate designs and pleasing finishes not only support the stair rail but complement other architectural elements such as door hardware, light fixtures, and vent covers.

Despite improved carpet installation techniques, stair carpet rods that were initially designed to hold stair carpet runners in place still offer purpose today. Besides their decorative contribution to staircases, stair rods conceal carpet tack impressions and creases where the tread and riser meet. Stair rods hide dirt that gathers in the seam and stair rod brackets allow the rods to be removed to periodically clean the seam hidden behind them. Stair rods, stair rod brackets, and stair bracket finials are offered in a variety of elaborate designs and colorful finishes to fit contemporary as well as period homes.

Elevators didn't have the impact on modern homes that Darrel's dad expected. We continue to build multi-story homes with stairs, not elevators. Stair hardware still has purpose. Give your stairs a lift with fanciful stair carpet rods and complementary stair rail brackets from Shop 4 Classics.

Lessons in the Fine Art of Bronze Hardware

I just completed my third week of a class in casting bronze offered by a local community college. The class provides the basics of the lost wax casting technique, which is commonly used in the creation of bronze sculptures. It is an involved process that consists of first preparing a wax replica of the item that you wish to create in bronze. A ceramic mold is then made of the wax replica. Next, Melted bronze is poured into the ceramic mold. Finally, the ceramic mold is chipped away revealing the bronze casting. This process creates a very detailed three dimensional casting but it is also complicated. And, as a few unfortunate students found out, it is a process that can easily go terribly wrong. I was fortunate to have successfully made it through the entire process without serious problems. The result is my sculpture of an old man waving.

I learned a lot from the class. I also have a better appreciation for why all of the bronze hardware found on our website is created using the much simpler and repeatable sand casting method. The bronze heat registers from Hamilton Sinkler and Classic Grilles are all produced using sand casting. Although not to the degree of lost wax casting, wonderful details can be created using sand casting. Hamilton Sinkler’s lion head door knocker and Victorian knob offer excellent examples of fine details that are achievable through sand casting.

Next week is the final week of the class. We will be finishing off our pieces by sand blasting and applying a patina to them. Look for an update in one of these postings next week.

The John Wright Company: Home Hardware Generations in the Making

If the manufacturer is nearly 130 years old, should their products still be called antique reproductions? Founded in 1880 as the Wrightsville Hardware Company, the John Wright Company is America’s oldest continuously operating manufacturer of cast iron products. Interior and exterior cast iron reproduction door and window hardware, cabinet hinges and knobs, shutter hardware, garage door hardware, and a large assortment of specialty items. Many products are cast from their own foundry and then meticulously crafted to meet the high standards that have been established over four generations of this family owned business. Below are a couple of feature products of the John Wright Company.

Today’s mass produced shelf brackets typically feature a plain and highly utilitarian appearance. While this maybe fine if your shelves are to hang in your garage, their appearance makes them a poor design choice for hanging shelves in the living spaces of your home. John Wright’s selection of cast iron shelf brackets offers a decorative and very sturdy alternative.

From its founding through the Victorian era, America embraced the design trends coming out of Europe. From fashionable dress to door hardware, designs during these times were ornate with apparent equal attention to form and function. This balance of form and function can be seen in the decorative garland motif of John Wright’s reproduction European mail slot.