I am addicted to “Antique Hardware for Doors, Kitchen Cabinets, & Drawers”.
*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here.
When we first started painting the cabinets in our “Kitchen Makeover“,
I ended up finding the swirly handles, regular cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, and the door knob all in oil rubbed bronze (click highlighted links for more information).
Meaning…dark.
By chance, my hubby and I realized that if you sand the oil rubbed bronze off of the pulls with a 100 grit sand paper,
it brings it down to the shiny copper easily.
Even on the swirly knobs.
I was shocked.
It looked so pretty, and stood out, especially against the black cabinets.
So, I did them all, including that door knob.
To keep it from going dark again, I painted on some polyurethane.
All 3 still look fabulous today.
This weekend, we added something more to the pantry door that has the copper knob.
Here’s before:
Here’s now:
The key plate you see has a little story.
Ready?
Notice the armoire doors that use to be here:
They were one of the first things we took down because they were so annoying.
The microwave is in there, so we needed that space open.
Now it looks like this:
So, I decided to use the door for this much needed coat rack in our hall:
I just flipped it over, painted the stripe, and then screwed in the hooks.
I found the key hooks HERE.
That brings me back to the key plate.
One of the hooks broke off because there were 1000 coats on it.
So, I saved it knowing I could use it somewhere 😉
Today, it found it’s new home:
I am so happy I didn’t throw it out.
—-
Here’s a photo of the copper pulls up close:
We carried them through to our master bathroom:
(master bathroom post found here)
Before I forget, I wanted to tell you about these.
They remind me of pizza oven handles.
I wish there was a pizza oven in there.
These I found on Ebay. I don’t have the link,
but if you type in antique iron handles you will see all sorts.
I ended up spraying these with a little copper spray paint so they would match all of the other hardware.
So, there you have it.
I must say, the key plate is now my favorite.
If we move, I’m taking that door with me.
By the way, if you are interested in the “X” designs in the French door windows, I wrote all about it here:
Tags: antique-hardware, coat-rack, hardware, key-hooks, key-plate-hooks, oil-rubbed-bronze-hardware, vintage-hardware Posted by

OOHHH i Just love everything about this! Just bravo!
Thank you, Stephanie!
Just gorgeous! So glad I found your link. We have the same kind of pulls and hooks in our house and I would have never thought to sand them off to get the copper look. What a great idea!
Yeay! So glad you found us too, Denny!
Beautiful hardware! It really is true when people say it’s the jewelry of a room! Love the look since you sanded them down! I like the rubbed bronze look, but it needs that bit a sheen that your sanding gave it! Glad you were able to reuse that cool key plate – it looks wonderful on your door! I never throw away anything like that because I know that as soon as I do, I’ll find a use for it! I adore your kitchen! It is so gorgeous and roomy and well designed! Thank you for sharing! Hugs, Leena
Thank you, Leena! I always love your comments~
I love copper hardware….that’s what I have in my kitchen too.
That key plate adds so much to the door….which is such a cool pantry door. Beautiful work as always, Red.
Thank you, Sharon!
Love all your “jewelry” so pretty! xo
Thanks, Kristin!
I really like how the little details like handles make a huge impact in any space. Thanks for sharing your eye candy. LOVE the new way you optimized your old door.
You are amazing!
Wow, love your style! Woo! And you’re so clever and imaginative~I’m jealous! I’m gonna feel free to steal, I mean ‘borrow’ your ideas…hehe *making notes and bookmarking like crazy* Can’t wait to get started on some projects on my ol’ brokedown house.
I just stumbled across your blog and am having so much fun reading everything!! Thanks for all the great ideas!!!
Julie you are so inspirational. Your ideas and detailed instructions make me feel as if I can also accomplish fantastic results. I love everything you have done, but I am crazy about your pantry door. How did you do the cris-crosses on the glass panels? Deepest thanks for all your efforts, and sharing so many wonderful secrets.
Hi Kim, and thank you! Here is a tutorial for you. It was so easy!!!http://redheadcandecorate.com/4/post/2012/07/my-way-leaded-glass-french-door.html
Love how it all worked out! Your kitchen is so beautiful and I think I will be sanding my knobs to bring out that copper. Hobby Lobby does carry the key coat hooks in different colors if anyone is looking for them.
One more question. The backsplash you have is it actually tin or the vinyl type tiles? I have the vinyl copper looking ones and wanted to lighten mine up since my cabinets are dark. I love the washed look you have on them. Thank you.
Hi Mercy!
Here’s how I white washed the tin back splash:http://redheadcandecorate.com/4/post/category/kitchen-makeover
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