we've just bought some doors for our 1930's semi - they're the type with one big square panel at the top and 3 vertical ones below. They're reproduction, not original, and we plan to stain them an oak colour. We're a bit stuck over which handles to buy. I know that the authentic 1930s ones are those bakerlite knobs but to be honest I really don't like them and don't want to go the whole art deco hog! Can anyone suggest which handles would look right?
we have the same doors, but original, in our 3o's semi. We have brushed chrome knobs from B and Q - they look modern but not out of place. Don't get the raelly shiny chrome ones, though.
IMHO all properties look better with original or original style features.
As you have made the effort to get new doors matching the originals why not finish the job properly and get the octaginal style knobs with rectangular door plate.
IMHO all properties look better with original or original style features.
Ha this made me chuckle I cannot think of anything worse (personally) than some of the original features of the houses that were thrown up en-mass during the 80's and early 90's... i do realise of course what the above quote means, but it did make me smile.
Isn't it strange how age adds enchantment, I grew up in a 1930s house back in the 50s and 60s and we and others thought that they were very naff and longed for a nice "modern" house, we tried to"modernise" it by flushing the panal doors with hardboard ripping down the picture rails, fitting double glazing and so on, wasn't it John Betjeman who said "they are only good for lining Bypasses with"?
Bertie, isn't that the problem with spec housing since the post war years. They are completely featureless, apart from the kitch appeal of some fittings they have nothing going for them.
Hi DIY...I wouldn’t say it was a 'problem' as such, but I agree it is certainly one of the 'characters' of 'modern' houses that there is no 'character' in itself. My last house was a 1964 Bryant home, completely stripped of all its original 60's 'character' - mostly, I will admit, instigated by my good self. I recall at the time wondering whether in years to come someone would buy into that estate and try to put back the original 'features' such as the rippled-glass internal doors or the metal window frames.
The house I am in now dates to the early 1950’s and as far as ‘features’ go I’ve not done anything that was in the style of the original – I have used Victorian ‘style’ skirting and architraves, plus had picture rails put up in some rooms, in fact when I list what I’ve done it sounds a right mish-mash but it practice it does actually ‘work’. I think the houses built in the last ten years or so have shown some consideration to using paneled doors and decorative skirting etc, even if it’s MDF and what-not. Some of the 80’s and 90’s houses I’ve seen looked so plain and thrown-up en mass. I note that ‘mock-Tudor’ must have been quite the thing back then…
I cannot think of anything worse (personally) than some of the original features of the houses that were thrown up en-mass during the 80's and early 90's... i do realise of course what the above quote means, but it did make me smile.
