Handsome Hardware

Anyone who's worked with me knows I'm a details girl. I love me some good stippling (the process of making art out of teensy tiny dots.) When I first moved in (after some epic cleaning) I started removing and cleaning hardware. I started in the bathroom, and spiraled my way out into the house.
I knew there were interesting things under the layers of paint that just needed a little love.

Cabinet catch in typical before condition.
There are many of this style around the house.

Medicine cabinet catch

Medicine cabinet butterfly hinge.

Lock escutcheon before (pantry closet)

Exposing the screw heads with Citrasolve.

Lock escutcheon after (pantry closet)
Solid brass.

Door knob plate before (basement door)

Door knob plate after (basement door)
Pretty significant finish damage. Plated, was mostly gone under the paint.

Door knob plate replaced (basement door)

 I've been using the Citrasolve sparingly, mostly relying on good old fashioned hot water, dish soap, long soaks, and elbow grease. It has revealed delightful Eastlake style hardware, from the era when I believe the kitchen/dining room addition was put on the house.
There will be more hardware pictures in the future, and probably research into where it came from. I've already traced the basement door knob plate to P&F Corbin company in New Britain, CT.

My intention is to remove the doors one room at a time come summer and give them a good sanding/repainting. I've put the hardware back on for now to stay functional, but it looks sad, nestled in the many layers of chipped paint built up around it.