THE WINDOWS

One of the more interesting things about the house and one of the more time consuming parts of the restoration has been the windows. I am not sure if sliding glass windows were non-existent in 1935 or just uncommon. All the windows in the house were completely custom fabricated and a very simple but crude design. U-shaped metal channels on the four sides of the windows with three solid metal rods welded along the top and the bottom. Two metal-framed sliding glass windows and one screen have channels at the top and bottom so they - in theory - can slide along the rods. Any deterioration or if the windows become out of true over the years and they no longer work.

Almost all of the windows had been puttied shut. Unfortunately they were not designed to be removable. Eric, who is handling the restoration, had to chip out the plaster all the way around them to remove the frames. Richard Reyes, a local metalworker repaired or reproduced the frames. They were reworked in a way so they could be disassembled and easily removed. The plasterwork here and through the house has be very beautifully handled by Jim Davis.

Schindelr restoration - the search for the perfect door knobs

Success !! Thanks to Liz's Antique Hardware, was able to put together a group of matching period-correct door knobs for the entire house.

The "Plymouth" knob is actually still in production but the older ones look a little different. Brian at Liz's was extremely helpful, digging through box after box of hardware to come up with a mix of new old stock and vintage knobs.

Restoration is moving along very quickly, won't be long now, stay posted.

Schlage "Tulip"

These are the knobs i am replacing but where throught the entire house and guest house. The "Tulip" knob from Shlage seems to have a been a very popular "modern" look since so many earlier knobs on other houses were replaced with these.

Schlage "Novo". These are the knobs I really wanted. I am currently living in a 1935 Richard Neutra duplex and the last remaing original doorknobs are on the bathroom door and are exactly this.

Unfortunately since there are two styles (incised or raised rings), aluminum, polished chrome, matte chrome, bronze, etc, I couldn't find enough that match.