I love the beauty and personality of staircases, particularly grand staircases and vintage ones. The staircase is a major architectural feature of the house. Who can forget the supporting role…
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Mother of pearl, like bead-shaped pearls, is made by certain types of Mollusks. It is more readily available than pearls and less expensive. Mother of pearl is used for ornamentation…
Historical architectural elements – including columns pilasters, and columns – add a classic look to any home. Pilasters look like columns but are ornamental and not meant to support weight….
Furniture legs and feet include many furniture categories and styles. Bun feet are great for any style furniture. Popular, cost-effective, always in style! History of the Ball and Claw Foot…
With its simple lines, beautiful woodwork, and endearing charm, Arts and Crafts is one of my favorite design styles. The Arts and Crafts movement began in England in the late…
A Mudroom is a must-have in the colder climates where a dedicated space for changing out of wet shoes and clothes is advantageous. Mudrooms are also great for storing cold weather…
Art Nouveau, or New Art, is an international artistic style popular from the 1890’s to just before World War I. It is also known as Modern Style (England), Glasgow Style…
One of the more interesting and useful products we offer at Van Dyke’s Restorers is Silputty. Silputty is used to make instant impressions with a two-part, silicone elastomer, which can…
The art of punching designs in metal dates back to 14th Century Europe. Lanterns made of brass or copper were punched with decorative designs that were illuminated by the candle…
Rocking chairs have been around since before the Middle ages. Benjamin Franklin is credited with the actual invention of the rocking chair, although that is controversial. There are many available…
Harken back to the days of smoky speakeasy saloons, prohibition and Al Capone by adding a Speakeasy Grille or Grate to your front door or garden gate. These nostalgic pieces of…
The major design shows are now over and the blogs and analysis have begun, so I will give my take on interior design trends for 2019-2020. Keep in mind, I…
A rim lock is a surface mount lock that installs on the surface of a door and uses a latch that slides into the keeper on the door rim or…
A feature wall, or accent wall, draws the eye when you enter a room. The purpose of a feature wall is to create interest or personality to the space by…
You have decided to change the knobs and pulls on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets or furniture. Changing cabinet hardware is a great and inexpensive way to update the look. But…
Vintage trunks are a popular design element in today’s homes whether used strictly for decoration or a more functional purpose. These beautiful old pieces are much in demand and found…
The garden shed . . . it is no longer just for tools and lawn mowers . I recently read an article that stated a garden shed is a must-have…
Urethane millwork is a great alternative to traditional wood millwork and a popular choice when restoring, remodeling or for new construction. Urethane millwork has the look of plaster or wood…
Have you ever wondered about the various design styles you hear the experts talk about on the television home restoration shows? What are the various architectural and furniture styles and…
Today’s homes and buildings have many doorways with various types of door knobs and decorative and functional door hardware. You pass through many doors each day of various styles. The…
Door hinges have been around for centuries dating back to at least 1600 B.C. The hinge is made up of standard parts including the leaves, knuckle, and pins and come…
Table slides are used to open and close a table to add a leaf This handy table accessory has been around since 1889 when Watertown Table Slide Company began in…
With spring now in full swing across most of the country, it is a good time to consider replacing storm or screen door hardware. Screen doors and storm doors provide…
Victorian style is perhaps the most recognizable of all design styles. The term Victorian architecture generally refers to many styles that emerged in the period between 1837 and 1901, during…
Decorative shelf brackets are one of the most versatile items for any home DIY project. Not only are they great for supporting shelves, they also have many decorative applications. They…
New faucets are a great way to add to the look and function of the bathroom. In fact, the faucet set has been described as the crown jewel of any bathroom…
Add an elegant and functional design to your home or business with Personalized Plaques! Decorative personalized plaques make a statement of your personality and individual taste while identifying your home…
Add Color and Nostalgic Charm to Your Doors Glass door knobs and glass cabinet knobs bring a vintage look to any home decor. Glass knobs are a must have when renovating…
A few simple weekend home projects can improve the beauty and functionality of your home. While kitchens and bathrooms are the most popular rooms for a home renovation, any room…
The ceiling, sometimes referred to as the fifth wall, is often the most neglected design space in the home. But, with a few simple touches, you can transform that dull ceiling…
The faucet set has been described as the crown jewel of any bathroom or kitchen makeover. Aesthetically, faucets should reflect the overall style and tone of the room. The overall…
A coffered ceiling brings a classic, elegant look to any room. Coffered ceilings date back to the 7th century B.C. and graced European cathedrals and homes in Europe during the…
Corbels are one of the most versatile and useful design elements in any home renovation. They can be used in any room from the porch to the kitchen. A corbel…
Van Dykes Restorers offers wood products including corbels, brackets, columns, furniture legs and feet, molding, appliques, and more, in a number of species and ships the items pre-sanded and unfinished. Some…
Almost every home has at least one if not several bookshelves. From den to bedroom to bathroom, bookshelves are an important part of our homes. But, unlike its name, they…
In times past, the pantry was the heart of the kitchen. Today pantries are again a necessity in most kitchens and pantry organizers help keep the pantry in order. Pantry…
Closet organizers are a must-have item for turning a cluttered, ordinary closet into a neat and efficient space. Van Dyke’s Restorers now offers individual closet organizer items including rods, baskets,…
Under counter Waste Can Organizers are a popular kitchen renovation project and are often installed in new construction. A trash can controls odors and the spread of bacteria so it…
Update your kitchen cabinets and take them from cluttered to beautifully organized with versatile Cabinet Organizers. Van Dyke’s Restorers is proud to now offer over 550 cabinet, pantry, drawer, and…
A simple and inexpensive way to improve the curb appeal of your home is to update the look of your shutters with new shutter hardware including decorative straps, hinges and shutter…
When adding the finishing touches to your home restoration project, consider adding wood corner guards to the edge of your walls for a period look. Corner Guards, also known as…
Decorative Wood Corbels and wooden brackets add elegance and beauty to any home renovation project and come in many styles and sizes. Popular corbel styles include Acanthus, Acorn, Corinthian, Fluted,…
Whether building a new table or rejuvenating an older table, table projects are one of the most popular home DIY projects. Van Dyke’s Restorers has everything you need for your…
Is your kitchen in need of a makeover, but you don’t want to spend thousands on a remodel? Updating the look of your kitchen doesn’t have to cost a fortune….
Updating door hardware including kick plates adds curb appeal to any entry. Kick plates are a simple DIY project and are offered in several finishes. Kick plates are installed with…
Now is a great time to spruce up Dad’s home office Whether converting a spare room into an office or refurbishing a current office, Van Dyke’s Restorers can help with…
A caster is a wheel in a housing or swivel that attaches to furniture or large objects to make the object mobile. Casters were patented by David A. Fisher in 1876….
Chair Caning can be done with traditional weaving between holes or with pre-woven cane that is pressed into grooves around the chair seat. Woven cane furniture dates back thousands of…
Make a great first impression when visitors come to your home by changing the door hardware. A few simple upgrades can turn a plain front door into a show stopper….
In celebration of Earth Day April 22nd, this blog will showcase ways to decorate with organic materials. Earth Day began in 1970 to recognize the need for preserving our natural…
Spring is a Great Time to Update Window Hardware Does your window hardware have several coats of paint on it and the locks or latches are broken or worn out?…
Register and grille vent covers add beauty and charm to any room in your home and are necessary components for your HVAC unit. Whether replacing a vintage register, or new construction,…
When you think about door hardware you usually think about hinges and door knob sets. But, there is another hardware item for the door that can not only keep your…
From intricately carved columns, island legs and and pilasters to table legs and molding, wood brings ambiance and charm to any home. In fact, nothing says home quite like the…
Don’t buy expensive new cabinets. Instead of replacing, update the look with a cabinet makeover. Decorative wire grilles or Architectural glass add a distinctive look to doors and cabinets. Simply…
Transom Windows date back to at least the 14th Century and were a popular feature in 19th Century and Victorian (1837-1901) homes. The transom style window is also found in…
With Spring just around the corner, now is the time to give that old garden gate a makeover. Gates come in many styles, shapes, and sizes and have become a…
Architectural glass, also called textured or seedy glass, is custom-cut patterned or color glass that adds beauty to your home decor. Architectural glass is imprinted with a decorative pattern at high…
Rustic wood has been a part of home design for thousands of years. From a rustic cabin to a Craftsman home to a modern design, natural wood conveys warmth and…
Old Is New Again . . . The old expression, “What is old is new again,” holds true in home design with older styles coming back in vogue. 2016 saw…
An Age-Old Design That Still Works Ther are a number of popular products for securing doors, windows, shutters, gates, and cabinets including surface bolts, Dutch door bolts, slide bolts, flush surface…
Mirrors have long been a favorite design element for interior designers. In addition to adding a decorative touch, mirrors help any room feel larger and brighter and add depth to…
The right lampshade can transform a simple lamp base into something extraordinary. More than just something to diffuse harsh glare from the light bulb, lampshades have become important design elements…
A beautiful, solid brass mechanical doorbell from Van Dyke’s Restorers is the perfect accessory to announce your guest’s arrival in period style. Once a staple on Victorian and Colonial style…
With family and friends arriving at your door this holiday, you will need space to hang coats, hats, and scarves. With closet space at a premium in most homes, coat…
Are you looking for a stylish and functional way to conveniently access upper shelves or unused space in your library, closet, wine cellar, kitchens, pantries, or lofts? With the Quiet…
The Holiday Season is a time for family gatherings and dinner seating for large groups, so now is the perfect time to get your table holiday ready. Whether adding a…
The stockings were hung . . . While researching methods to hang Christmas stockings, I found some really cute and clever ideas. I am always amazed at the creative ability…
Updating your kitchen or bathroom sink can change the look of the space and is a popular home renovation project. There are several styles to consider when choosing a sink…
Changing the look of kitchen cabinets can have a dramatic impact on the look of your kitchen and can be accomplished without ripping out and installing new cabinets. The most…
If you have watched any of the television home renovation shows recently, you know the popularity of wooden interior sliding doors. They are the hottest thing in interior design right…
Before First Place Winner!! This tremendous trunk is functional and beautiful from head to toe, with matching hasps, lift handles and cabinet latches complementing the fine craftsmanship of nesting wooden…
Changing the door sets on the doors in your home can make a beautiful design statement and is a reflection on the overall style of the home. Interior door sets…
Sometimes referred to as the fifth wall, the ceiling is often the most neglected design space in the home. Cover a plain white ceiling with a decorative ceiling tile and…
Brief History of the Rocking Chair Who doesn’t love a rocking chair? The rocking chair holds a special place in the culture of our country. There is nothing quite as…
A recent entry in our photo contest showed a bar with decorative foot rail made from brass tubing. My curiosity took over and I began to research the many uses…
School has started back in most locations around the country and soon the hot summer heat will be replaced by a crisp, cool autumn air. Fall is a great time…
Updating the look of your kitchen on a budget Kitchen makeovers are the most popular home renovation projects. Realtors tell us that updated, modern kitchens are what sells homes and…
Is your bathroom stuck in the 80’s? If your bathroom is completely outdated, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on remodeling, I have some tips to refresh the…
Yard sales and flea markets are a fun weekend activity. There is no end to the great bargains you can find. Who doesn’t like good old-fashioned haggling on the marked…
One of the most popular items sold by Van Dyke’s Restorers and the hottest product in home renovation is decorative wire grilles. It is also one of the first products…
I complained about the inadequate lighting in the kitchen of our 100 year-old farm house for years. Many older kitchens lack proper lighting particularly under cabinets and work areas. A…
A beautiful stairway is the focal point of any room and range from simple to grand. The newel posts and balusters are the most prominent features of a staircase and…
Adding decorative window and door trim is a great way to improve the look of a home. There are a number of products used to achieve the desired look and…
Crown molding is never out of style, dating back to Greek and Roman architecture, and gives a room an elegant, finished look. Crown Molding is a large family of molding…
