Posts filed under 'Brass Accents'
There are many alloys of copper. Bronze is comprised of copper (60%) and tin (40%). If you add about 10% zinc to copper, though, you get something rather unique called brass. 
What makes it unique, among other characteristics, is its resistence to salt water corrosion. This, in addition to its strength, is why most faucets in the home have brass underneath. (If you don’t believe me, take a discarded faucet to the grinding wheel and see what’s underneath, even if it is silver in color.) 
In fact, taking a silver-colored faucet to a wire wheel will remove any electroplating and reveal, often, a beautiful brass underneath. We did this to a piece we obtained from an antique house and found ourselves a gem that now adorns our bathroom.
Isn’t it interesting that many fixtures aboard old wind-blown vessels were made of brass? Now we know the reason. We can also be grateful for its beautiful color, reminiscent of the sun that makes it glow brighter than surrounding objects because it reflects strongly in the sun’s spectrum of colors.
For this latter reason, raw or polished brass is a good choice in a home or room that does not use fluorescent lights. So called “natural” lighting, or incandescent lighting, gives off a spectrum of color that more closely matches what brass naturally reflects.
If you’re thinking along these lines, be sure to browse the brass options available at Knobs, Hinges and More, where you’ll find brass fixtures from Avante, Bellwith Keeler, Brass Accents, Brass Elegans, Colonial Bronze, Colony Mailboxes, Deltana, Perrin & Rowe, Rohl and Schaub.
May 11th, 2007
For several years, we lived above a crawl space - not a good idea for us! We were accustomed to developing bad sinus infections in the springtime, when the weather would bring in moisture to be picked up by our forced air central air conditioning system. Who knows what cultures we were growing unknowingly underfoot! The solution?
The answer is twofold. First, have the system cleaned professionally. This was difficult for us because of the type of wall registers designed into the home. The next part of the solution is to replace those registers and the branch ductwork with fixtures that are more accessible. Floor registers just inside the perimeter of the home are best. 
This location generally avoids foot traffic where debris can tumble into the path of the air we breathe. It also is recommended by architects to promote an even indoor temperature.
Since registers are part of the living space statement of who you are, be sure to choose carefully. 
The registers will be there a long time!
See some of the tasteful selections you can have shown on this page. They’re all available at Knobs, Hinges and More.
April 30th, 2007
Nothing but gold compares with polished brass for its yellow elegance. For those of us who do not have an overabundance of discretionary funds, polished brass will do. Europeans, especially the Italians and the French, have capitalized on its lustrous qualities and availability.
There are very few furniture and construction materials that do not contrast beautifully with polished brass. (There’s just something, maybe beautiful sunsets, that naturally causes polished brass to call to us for its beauty.) Cherry, oak, pine and even selected painted hues offer up an aura of elegance.
Knobs, Hinges and More has captured several manufacturers of such beauty in its listings. One notable manufacturer is Brass Accents. See some of their selections on this page.
April 20th, 2007
Also known as doors, there’s often nothing silent about them at all! In a previous post, we addressed how to quiet noisy hinges. Yet, when a family member does not understand the principles of acceleration and deceleration, and when the door closes on an unforgiving wooden door jamb, the result is a “grand slam.” What’s even more annoying is that if there’s the least bit of play between the door and the jamb when the latch is engaged, the door will rattle with the least bit of wind or changing air pressure. What can one do?
Fortunately, there’s a simple answer. The door latch is usually located just below half the height of the door. Even though doors are fairly rigid, they do flex a little. It’s that little flex that makes all the difference in quieting the door. 
To solve this problem, simply glue a piece of felt (even a piece as small as a hole punch) near the top and the bottom of the door jamb, where the door meets the jamb. When you close the door, it will meet the felt, not the unyielding wooden jamb. As the door flexes, it will cause the latch to catch with a bit of pressure on it, eliminating those pesky rattles. 
Don’t use this technique on an exterior door. The fix there is weatherstripping. You don’t want to introduce drafts by placing small pieces of felt between the jamb and the door.
April 9th, 2007
I have a sinus infection. I used to think that the infections I’ve had come from dry, heated air. But I don’t anymore. Our home is heated by forced hot water. Oh, well.
The point is that it’s OK to heat and cool with forced hot air, as many homes are so outfitted. While you’re doing it, why not let visitors see how attractively that refreshing air can be delivered with wall and floor registers.
Most of the registers I’ve found are for the floor, and for good reason. They’re designed to withstand the weight of people walking on them and furniture being placed over them. So, the floor registers can be used in the floor or on the wall. In both places, the ones I’ve found make stylistic statements. See samples on this page from Atlanta Supply, Brass Elegans, Brass Accents and Wood Ventures. 
Their offerings include rich brass, oil-rubbed bronze, antiqued brass, copper, polished chrome, pewter, cast iron, maple and oak wood and satin nickel register plates. Some have louvers to direct the air and dampers to permit balancing your system throughout your home. See the wide collection from these manufacturers at Knobs, Hinges and More.
March 30th, 2007