Remember when buildings and residences had big oak doors that featured sparkling, multifaceted glass doorknobs or painted porcelain, bronze or brass knobs? At the beginning of the Victorian era, when metals such as bronze, brass and iron were called into action for use in the manufacturing of airplanes and ammunition, machine-cut glass became the popular choice for the makers of household hardware. Once useful and operational, today these prized knobs are regarded as flea market finds and antique store treasures. Although they still can be fitted with working hardware to fit your doors, these knobs more often are relegated to out-of-sight storage. But you can display these knobs in a decorative way, as a tieback for drapes or as a coat display rack to hang by the door.
- Screws for attaching doorplate to wall for curtain tie backs
- Ruler
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- 1 1-3/4-inch-thick piece of wood cut to a 3-foot length
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth (available at paint and hardware stores)
- Paint (color of your choice) or stain
- Glue (that will adhere metal to wood)
- 5 1-1/2-inch wood screws with heads that will fit inside the base of your doorknobs
- 2 2-1/2-inch screws with drywall anchors for mounting rack
- Level
- Variety of glass or metal knobs and doorplates
- Clean rags
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Instructions
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1
Screw a doorplate with the knob attached into the wall next to the window, using the trim as a guide. Place one on either side of the window. The knobs then can be used as a tieback to hold the curtains or drapes.
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2
Prepare the piece of wood by sanding both sides as well as the ends for your coat or hat rack. Use tack cloth to remove dust and debris. Paint or stain the wood in a color of your choice. Let dry thoroughly.
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3
Measure and make a light pencil mark where each knob and the two mounting screws will go. Screw a 1-1/2-inch wood screw in each place you want to put a doorknob, leaving 1 inch showing.
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4
Insert the glue tip about an inch into a doorknob base and release the glue. Heavily coat the interior of the doorknob base with glue.
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5
Slide one glue-prepared knob onto each screw, keeping excess glue off the wood base. Hold in place until the knob base sits flush with the wood base. Let dry until firmly in place.
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6
Mount your board on the wall using the mounting screws and drywall anchors. Use a level for accuracy. Hang baskets, coats, hats or bags on your rack.
