Antique Hardware Restoration

This magnificent 1890s Victorian door in Old Mandeville's historic district featured original brass hardware including an ornate thumb latch, decorative strap hinges, and an elaborate door knocker that had been crafted by skilled artisans over 130 years ago.

The homeowner, a Victorian architecture enthusiast, had discovered that the hardware was original to the house and wanted both the door and hardware restored to museum quality while maintaining full functionality.

The brass hardware had developed severe tarnishing and corrosion from decades of Louisiana humidity, and the door's original chestnut wood was hidden under multiple layers of paint applied during various renovation periods. Our combined door and hardware restoration required specialized expertise in both wood restoration and antique metalwork.

The door restoration began with painstaking paint removal using gentle chemical strippers that wouldn't damage the 130-year-old chestnut wood or the intricate raised panel carvings characteristic of Victorian craftsmanship.

Hardware restoration involved complete disassembly and assessment of each piece using traditional brass restoration techniques. The thumb latch mechanism required rebuilding with period-appropriate materials to ensure smooth operation while preserving the original Victorian functionality.

Each piece was carefully polished using progressive compounds, followed by application of protective patina that matches the original 1890s finish. The door refinishing used historically accurate stain colors and traditional shellac finishing techniques appropriate to the Victorian period.

The completed restoration showcases both the exceptional wood craftsmanship and the intricate metalwork that defined high-quality Victorian construction.