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Olde Good Things

Architectural and Altered Antiques

Match Your Antique Hardware at Olde Good Things

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Antique hardware has a style that can’t be matched by anything you find at the local hardware store today. This custom look is what makes your antique door knobs, drawer pulls, or reclaimed architectural pieces so distinctive and beautiful.

If you have ever needed to replace a piece of hardware from a vintage or antique item, you know that they also come with their own unique set of problems. Screws are the wrong size. Elements don’t match up correctly. Some parts are almost impossible to find. If you DO happen to find something the right size, shape, and color in a contemporary store, you end up losing the character and quality that made your piece so special in the first place.

The good news is, Olde Good Things carries an immense selection of antique hardware, and we always have the customer in mind. We want to match your custom style with the perfect element for the piece’s age, color, and texture. And, if we can’t match the old hardware, we will help you find something better in our extensive treasure trove.

In order to find your ideal hardware replacement, follow a few simple steps.

1. Remove the hardware you want to replace from the existing fixture.

2. Measure the length, width, and diameter of each part.

3. Email us at [email protected] with the measurements, clear resolution photos, and the desired quantity and we will do our best to match it. We are happy to work with you on finding the perfect style or finish in the event that you are open to a new look.

4. Please be patient with our staff to do a search. A custom search can take up to a week to perform.

Here are several types of hardware items we have in stock online: Applique, Door knob sets, Door knobs, Door pulls, Closers, Levers, Door Locks, Hinges, Knockers & Door Bells, Back plates, Rosettes, Pocket Door, Push plates, Mail Slots, Keyhole covers, Cabinet & Furniture, Casters, Curtain Hardware, Elevator Hardware, Finials, Locks, Hooks and Racks, Ice Box Hardware, Lighting Hardware, Railing Hardware, Bottle Stoppers, Shelf Brackets, Snow Guards & Window Hardware.

 

Video Tour of Olde Good Things Hardware Room

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Click above to watch video

This is only a partial list of items we carry, many of which do not appear in our online store. So please, contact us directly, so we can help you find your perfect piece of hardware before you settle for something less than wonderful.

How to Remove Paint From and Polish Vintage/Antique Door Knobs

How To Polish Brass & Copper

National Warehouse Slideshow

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You’ve probably heard of “the most interesting stores in New York” if you’ve ever visited one of our NYC Olde Good Things locations.  Well you ain’t seen nothin’ til you set foot in “the most interesting warehouse in Pennsylvania” which is chock full of reclaimed architectural items and furnishings ready for a new home.  Take a look at the slide show.  (This is just one of our Scranton PA locations, the other one is even bigger!)  With Spring arriving it’s a great time to pay a visit!

National Warehouse

400 Gilligan Street
Scranton, PA 18508
570-341-7668
888-233-9678
Mon – Sat 9 am to 6 pm
Sun 10 am to 6 pm
Directions

Shop Architectural Finds located at our National Warehouse

Legendary Plaza Hotel Reclaimed

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When the new owners of the luxury Plaza Hotel in New York City, decided to renovate and transform its interior in 2005, Olde Good Things found a plethora of beautiful architectural salvage items perfect for re-use.

This world-famous hotel is a landmark 20-story Manhattan structure overlooking Central Park originally opened in 1907.  It is the legendary home to “Eloise” as well as many real life famous performers and guests.  It has also been the meeting place for important political meetings over the years, if the walls could speak, what history (and secrets) we would hear!

Prior to its renovation, at a tag sale by the new owners, we acquired over 100 marble mantels, as well as over-mantel mirrors, doorknobs and decorative iron grills.  Many other admirers attended this sale and took away souvenirs such as bathrobes and slippers.

This world famous architectural salvage took place in June – July of 2005. The following gallery is just a sample of some of the breathless architectural pieces we purchased from this legendary landmark.

As time went by, we acquired original lighting from the Plaza Hotel to add to our inventory of architectural pieces from this historic landmark.  You may be wondering, well are there any pieces left?  The answer is yes, we still have a limited supply of Plaza hardware, doors, lighting and marble mantels….  Below see pictures of a basket chandelier, which once graced the hallways of each hotel floor, being carefully dressed and rewired to be sent into our Bowery location in NYC for resale.

See below available emblematic knobs, matching plates, door plates, interior doors, sconces, pendants, chandeliers as well as several styles of marble mantels all reclaimed from these luxury suites.

View all the Plaza inventory online now

Read about other historic salvage job

Creating an Outdoor Oasis Using Salvaged Items

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Having an outdoor living space can be a wonderful, relaxing addition to your home. Continuing the decorating style you already use indoors into your outdoor space can also help to increase your home’s value. It can be difficult to know how exactly to do this, however, particularly if you’ve used salvaged items to create a unique look for your home. As the top salvage company in the country, we have the opportunity to create many interesting decorative pieces and spaces using salvaged items in ways many people don’t even think of. Read below for how you can create a beautiful look for your outdoor space using items from one of our many locations.

 

Every garden should have a gate or a door, but not necessarily as an entry point.  Above is just a small selection of iron entry ways available at Olde Good Things.  An antique French door that no longer contains the glass (like the one from our online selection shown above) can make a beautiful trellis for climbing flowers or decorative vines. Refinishing or painting the door in a bright, bold color can also make it a lovely accent piece when placed against a fence or a garden wall. For a more traditional look, two solid doors can be connected with other wood pieces at the top to make a beautiful arbor. Consider placing a bench or reading chair beneath it to create a peaceful nook for reading, relaxing, or late afternoon naps.

An old bicycle can be used to decorate an outdoor space

An old bicycle, like the one shown here can make an excellent conversation piece. Turn the handlebar basket into a planter, and
consider weaving climbing flowers or vines through the wheel spokes and around the frame. The color of the bike can be incorporated into your garden’s theme, or it could be used as an eye-catching piece to liven up a more drab area of your outdoor space.

Tables missing their tops, or chairs that are missing their seats also make excellent planters, and can be very interesting pieces. These types of items also work quite well in smaller spaces, or on patios that don’t have any real planting space.

An open top table can be used as a garden element

An open top table can be used as a garden element

Stone pieces are a traditional choice for decorating an outdoor space, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be boring or ordinary. Consider moving beyond traditional stone planters and statues, and search for something more unique. Using a piece with an interesting design can really bring your personality to your garden. Salvaged stone pieces from mantels, decorative walls, columns, and other elements can really make your garden a unique and interesting place to relax or have friends over.

 

Here a salvaged garden stone makes a centerpiece in this garden

Here a salvaged garden stone makes a centerpiece in this garden


For larger gardens, consider breaking up the space with an interesting element like a piece of stained glass, or an antique chandelier draped in glass beads. No only will elements like these look interesting, the light shining through and reflecting off of them will create beautiful patterns and colors that will really help your garden stand out. Use a bit of a strong, antique chain to hang these elements securely from a tree, arbor, or trellis. If you prefer the look of wood to glass, an antique window frame with the pane of glass removed can make an excellent hanging planter and define the space in a similar way.

A salvaged window makes a great garden element

A salvaged window makes a great garden element

Using salvaged or antique items in your garden can be a wonderful way to set your garden oasis, and your home apart from the others in your neighborhood. Using pieces that are unique and different is a great way to create a space that shows off your style and personality, while giving you a wonderful place to relax and get away from it all.

With the help of Olde Good Things, you can easily transform your backyard into a hideaway just for your enjoyment, or a mindblowing entertainment space that you and your family and friends can enjoy.

How to Remove Paint From and Polish Vintage/Antique Door Knobs

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Bronze knob & mortise lock set with painted back plates

As the most successful architectural salvage company in the United States, we often find beautiful antique and vintage doorknobs that have been, tragically, painted over. One of our main challenges is removing the paint without damaging the hardware. Using a solvent like paint thinner could damage the metal and ruin the look of the hardware. Removing paint, lacquer, or other deposits from antique metals is one of the main questions we receive from our customers. Luckily, cleaning and restoring those vintage doorknobs is much easier than you might think. All you need is an old pot you’re ready to get rid of, some hot water, and a few simple ingredients that you most likely have laying around in your kitchen.

Deco plate set

To get that paint off your vintage pieces, simply fill your old pot with water and bring the water to a gentle boil. Then you can carefully drop your doorknobs in or place them carefully in the pot using a pair of grilling tongs, and after a few minutes, the paint should begin to come right off. The sludge left behind in the pot will be pretty disgusting, and it’s best not to reuse the pot for cooking once you’re done. After boiling, you should be able to easily wipe or gently scrape away any remaining paint. Be sure to wear gloves, and avoid touching the metal with your bare hands! It’s HOT! As an additional bonus, this method will usually also remove any lacquer that has been used on the metal. These now de-lacquered metals will be an excellent choice to use in areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, or other more humid areas of your home.

Please note that we do not recommend submerging glass knobs in water, since it’s then difficult to dry the inside of the knob.

While many homeowners prefer the patina on older metal doorknobs, some homeowners are looking for a more polished look. Vintage metals can look fantastic when restored to their original bright shine, particularly brass. Polishing antique brass door hardware without scratching or otherwise damaging the surface is a concern of many homeowners, and we often get asked what can be done to polish up these beautiful pieces. Unfortunately, many modern methods and suggestions for cleaning can damage doorknobs that are only plated metal. Luckily, there are gentler methods that are easy to mix right in your own kitchen.

Aesthetic entry knob & lock set

Before cleaning your antique hardware, you can mix up your own gentle brass cleaner with a small amount of equal parts flour, salt, and vinegar. This naturally gentle cleaner won’t scratch the surface of your vintage doorknobs, even if they’re not solid brass. Dip a soft, damp cloth into the homemade cleanser and apply to the door hardware. When you wipe clean, even tougher tarnish should come right off. It’s always best to try the gentle method before using the harsher commercial cleaners. In addition to damaging the finish, many of these cleansers have chemicals in them that can leave metals like antique brass looking more like copper. While copper is lovely, it certainly doesn’t have the bright tones that brass does. If you do decide to use a commercial cleaner, be sure to test whether your hardware is completely brass or just plated metal – it will make a difference in which cleanser you will need to use.

As you can see, cleaning up and polishing those antique doorknobs is easy if you’re willing to take a little time and care. Using these gentle methods will help preserve the original beauty of these pieces without damaging the metals or scratching the surfaces. If you still have questions about cleaning your vintage or antique doorknobs or other hardware, feel free to contact us, or come by one of our locations. If you’re looking for some vintage pieces to add to the doorknobs you already have, or if you’re searching for other antique pieces, you can view our wide selection online here.

Olde Good Things Spotlight: Boulton & Watt — Emporium Design’s Dream Build

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The industrial revolution marked a huge change in history; the beginning of an exciting journey into an era filled with growth. This new era meant change, change in how things were manufactured, and the speed at which they were completed. Every aspect of life would change and improve as hand production moved to machine production increasing productivity and efficiency. The transition from hand production to machine began in Great Britain, and over a few decades made its way to the United States. This move boasted an improvement in water power, the increase in steam powered production, and the creation of machine tools.

When pondering over this time period, the 18th and 19th century’s images of large machines operated by steam may come to mind. Large, bulky and metal might be a few adjectives that could describe this era, but not words such as beautiful, unique, full of ambiance and creativity. Though one may not consider the industrial age to be a thing of beauty, one’s opinion may change upon entering Boulton & Watt in Manhattan, NYC.

This historic Manhattan building has been home to several industrial businesses over the decades, but now it is home to a restaurant that honors and beautifies the industrial era – Boulton & Watt.

This historic Manhattan building has been home to several industrial businesses over the decades, but now it is home to a restaurant that honors and beautifies the industrial era – Boulton & Watt.

This sign is a beacon to those who love amazing food and want to be wowed by their surroundings while they eat. Boulton & Watt will give them both.

This sign is a beacon to those who love amazing food and want to be wowed by their surroundings while they eat. Boulton & Watt will give them both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boulton & Watt is a restaurant full of history and charm that can be found on a prominent East Village corner in Manhattan New York. The history behind the building in which Boulton & Watt resides dates back to the 19th century when the industrial revolution was making its mark in history. Before Boulton & Watt took over occupancy, the building was once known as the neighborhoods working factory and engine repair shop. Love and gratitude for this remarkable era is obvious to guests upon entrance to the restaurant. The rich history of the industrial era was carefully kept intact by the creative minds at Emporium Design.

Emporium Design prides themselves on being a forward thinking design-build firm that specializes in creating unique spaces that complement the mind, ideals, and heart of each of their clients. Those looking to hire a design team that is not bound by in-the-box thinking are drawn to the Emporium Design firm. The goal of this company is to help create a lasting impression for everyone who enters one of their client’s buildings, and that is true of those who walk into Boulton & Watt.

The image is the perfect complement to the wood and steel footrest stools, and various machine base table legs Olde Good Things provided for this design/build project.

The image is the perfect complement to the wood and steel footrest stools, and various machine base table legs Olde Good Things provided for this design/build project.

The wall art is 'geared' towards the theme.

The wall art is ‘geared’ towards the theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking into Boulton & Watt is like taking a trip into the past. The Emporium Design Firm wanted to preserve this building’s deep and prolific history, and so they designed the restaurant’s theme around the look, feel and history of the building. In order to achieve a complete industrial feel the Emporium Design team needed a little help. They had the ideas, the dreams, and the vision, but they also needed the design elements and materials to bring those dreams to life.  We are one of the largest architectural antique dealers in the country specializing in historical artifacts from the nineteenth century and the pre-depression era. This makes us a popular choice for design projects such as the amazing design and build of Boulton & Watt. Part of the unique experience of eating at Boulton & Watt is sitting amongst, and literally on, history; history that has been gathered and displayed beautifully thanks to the keen eye of those that work for us, and the effort they place in locating and repurposing all kinds of antique items.

The bar is where everyone seems to gather, and when that bar is in Boulton & Watt, it’s easy to see why; the distressed mirrored glass, and the gears that turn an Olde Good Things salvaged ceiling fan add a taste of the Machine Age.

The bar is where everyone seems to gather, and when that bar is in Boulton & Watt, it’s easy to see why; the distressed mirrored glass, and the gears that turn an Olde Good Things salvaged ceiling fan add a taste of the Machine Age.

The image is the perfect complement to the wood and steel footrest stools, and various machine base table legs Olde Good Things provided for this design/build project.

The image is the perfect complement to the wood and steel footrest stools, and various machine base table legs Olde Good Things provided for this design/build project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial, adjustable singer stools are just one of the reclaimed items from Olde Good Things that can be found in Boulton & Watt. Wood and steel footrests compliment a uniquely fashioned table designed and put together from various machines that are true to the era being honored. Throughout the restaurant one can see little touches salvaged by Olde Good Things such as the glass behind the bar, which boasts a lovely distressed mirror and helps add a dash of industrial flavor from an earlier time period. The Emporium Design team left no space untouched by history, to be true to the restaurant theme.

The gizmo gears in the picture actually turn a large ceiling fan.

The gears behind the bar are rigged…

The gizmo gears turn a large unique ceiling fan.

… to turn a large salvaged ceiling fan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These mint green urinals are one of the quirkiest things Olde Good Things has salvaged. Not only do they have practical use, they are pleasing to the eye.

These mint green urinals are one of the quirkiest things Olde Good Things has salvaged. Not only do they have practical use, they are pleasing to the eye.

Doorknobs, decorative iron, mantels and even salvaged urinals are just part of the unique items OGT has reclaimed and repurposed; when the designers at Emporium Design needed to complete the look and feel of the bathroom at this industrial themed eatery they knew they would find what they were looking for at Olde Good Things. To truly accomplish a task as grand as an industrial themed eatery, it takes multiple individuals, teams, and specialist, to pull off such a feat; the people at Emporium Design and Olde Good Things accomplished their goal beautifully. Those that have the unique privilege of eating at Boulton & Watt would all agree that the atmosphere and décor reminds them of an exciting time in America’s history.

 

Michael Laudati Beautifully Renovates Historical Lobby

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In an age when new high-rises and shiny gadgets dominate our culture, there are a few dedicated souls who are committed to preserving the whimsy and heart of vintage styles and pieces. One of these pioneers of preservation is Michael Laudati, a makeup artist who has redefined himself as an architectural and design guru.

Recently Michael worked on a building in New York’s Upper West Side, restoring it to its original 1929 Spanish Revival glory. This remodel was no small project, as it involved installing windows, doors, and intricate veneers, as well as general interior decorating and design.

Taking an existing building and restoring it to accurately reflect its original period involves extensive research and planning to yield a dramatic and unique finished product. Michael Laudati has done just that; here is a look at some of the finished pieces of his lobby redesign.

Michael Laudati lobby-before & after remodelHere you can see  phenomenal before and after photos from Michael’s redesign. Original wooden cross beams have been refinished to a lighter, more natural state. The classic fireplace and wall were given updated treatments including beautiful finish work and edging. Drab aluminum windows hidden behind boring shutters now explode with light thanks to the beautiful casement windows we  provided, along with “new” old wall sconces.

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Vintage Hardware Gets Organized!

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If  you’ve ever been to the hardware room in our Scranton warehouse, you know it’s been a tad, uh… disorganized. Well that’s all fixed, thanks to our good friend Dale! So if you’re a vintage hardware aficionado, come visit, let us know what you’re looking for, or browse some of our inventory here.

Olde Good Things