The Brass Knob

An AMEX Ad and Love from The Hill Rag all in one month? We’re Blushing.

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:16:02 +0000

Well! We certainly thought that this was worth sharing. There has been a series of American Express ads airing recently that center around their Small Business Saturday campaign. While we think this is great, what we thought was even greater was when we saw one that features DC small businesses. Greater still was when the video panned over the façade of our beloved Brass Knob! We are very honored to be recognized among a very impressive lineup of DC businesses (including our friends and neighbors at Idle Time Books). View the ad here, and pay attention around the 36 second mark!

And if that wasn’t enough, we’re thrilled to be the subject of a spotlight by another wonderful DC publications. This one is in April issue of The Hill Rag. A very nice write-up about who we are and what we do… Very big thanks to The Hill Rag for spreading the word about our passion for architectural antiques. Check out the article over here (we’re the third row down!).

For over 30 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has been Washington’s most trusted source for all manner of antique home elements including doorknobs, tiles, stained & leaded glass, antique lighting (chandeliers, sconces & lamps) fireplace tools and mantles (to name a few things). Please feel free to stop by and see us. Even if you aren’t local to DC you can find a large selection of our items on our website. Don’t see what you need? Give us a call at 202-332-3370 or email us at info@thebrassknob.com. As our inventory is constantly changing it’s not always possible to get everything on the website; give us a call and we will do our best to find exactly what you need.

Check Out Our New Slideshow!

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:18:58 +0000

We just wanted to take a second to make sure everyone sees our new slide show here on our blog! It’s a sampling of some of the wonderful items that we have here at The Brass Knob. You can find it over here, or click the “In the House” tab at the top of this page. If you see something there that you’re interested in please don’t hesitate to call us as we get new items in all the time. Make sure to check our blog and Facebook page regularly to keep up with what’s happening at The Brass Knob!

For over 30 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has been Washington’s most trusted source for all manner of antique home elements including doorknobs, tiles, stained & leaded glass, antique lighting (chandeliers, sconces & lamps) fireplace tools and mantles (to name a few things). Please feel free to stop buy and see us. Even if you aren’t local to DC you can find a large selection of our items on our website. Don’t see what you need? Give us a call at 202-332-3370 or email us at info@thebrassknob.com. As our inventory is constantly changing it’s not always possible to get everything on the website; give us a call and we will do our best to find exactly what you need.

Another Great Write-Up and an Interview with Brass Knob Owner Donetta George!

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:18:31 +0000

We thought that we should take a moment to share this great write up and interview that Eric Wohlschlegel posted on his blog, The Crib Line, recently. Head over here to check it out! Take a peek at the rest of his blog too… good stuff.

For over 30 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has been Washington’s most trusted source for all manner of antique home elements including doorknobs, tiles, stained & leaded glass, antique lighting (chandeliers, sconces & lamps) fireplace tools and mantles (to name a few things). Please feel free to stop buy and see us. Even if you aren’t local to DC you can find a large selection of our items on our website. Don’t see what you need? Give us a call at 202-332-3370 or email us at info@thebrassknob.com. As our inventory is constantly changing it’s not always possible to get everything on the website; give us a call and we will do our best to find exactly what you need.

Great Write-Up on Adams Morgan (and The Brass Knob!)

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:25:54 +0000

We thought that we should take a moment to share this wonderful article that Jennifer Quail did on Adams Morgan for About.com: Find it over here.

We’re mentioned in it along side of some other great 18th Street businesses. Make sure to check it out!

2011 At A Glance

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:27:45 +0000

Despite the trouble that many small businesses have faced with the slowing economy, The Brass Knob has managed to hold on and remains the number one source in the DC area for architectural antiques. In fact, 2011 saw growth and a number of firsts in some new areas for us.

In 2011 we did our first coupon deal with KGB. It turned out to be a great program for us, and we plan to do similar deals in the future. Look out for a Living Social deal this year!

Also in 2011, The Brass Knob played host to two non-profit events supporting DC based agencies. The first was a fund raising event for the Washington Animal Rescue League. The second was a donation event for Mary’s Center . We offered a discount in our shop to anyone who brought in baby supplies to donate for the Center. Thanks to all who came out to these events and helped support some great causes in the District.

Last year also saw a significant growth in our lighting restoration services. Let our experinced staff restore that vintage light that’s just sitting in your attic collecting dust. Give it new life and give your home a refreshed and unique look. We do everything from cleaning and simple socket replacements to complete restorations. Come see us.

Due to the nature of the items that we sell (often large, heavy pieces) we don’t see a great number of international sales. However, last year we sold an iron wall fountain to a client in Sweden, as well as a large set of antique door hardware to a client in the Czeck Republic (to name a few). This is reassuring to us as we gratefully see our reputation continuing to spread thanks to our website www.thebrassknob.com. This also lets us know that the hard work that goes into keeping our website up to date and relevant is worth the time and effort (for all of our local customers too, of course!).

Speaking of things we sold last year, we’d like to showcase a few of our favorite items that left the shop in 2011… and items that you missed! Don’t worry though. We’re always getting new, great items in that will certainly become our new favorites (and your’s too).

Victorian Gasolier

Pink Marble Mantel

Large Beveled Glass Window

Elk's Lodge Entry Hardware

Early Victorian Gasolier

Bronze Entry Hardware

It wasn’t all good news last year however. Unfortuntaly 2011 saw the closing of our “sister store”, The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse. While we were separate businesses we always maintained a great relationship with Ron Allan and The Back Doors. We will certainly continue to miss them and mourn for all of DC the loss of a fantastic resource for architectual antique pieces.

We would also like to take a moment to thank those loyal customers who have consistently braved the ongoing Adams Morgan street construction to get to The Brass Knob. While we anticipate a new and improved Adams Morgan Streetscape in the coming year, there was a concern that the construction would drive away all business. This hasn’t been the case! It just goes to show that we have wonderful customers. We hope to see you all in and out of the shop in 2012… lets make it even better than 2011.

For over 30 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has been Washington’s most trusted source for all manner of antique home elements including doorknobs, tiles, stained & leaded glass, antique lighting (chandeliers, sconces & lamps) fireplace tools and mantles (to name a few things). Please feel free to stop buy and see us. Even if you aren’t local to DC you can find a large selection of our items on our website. Don’t see what you need? Give us a call at 202-332-3370 or email us at info@thebrassknob.com. As our inventory is constantly changing it’s not always possible to get everything on the website; give us a call and we will do our best to find exactly what you need.

Give to Mary’s Center… and Save 20% at The Brass Knob!

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:49:50 +0000

We just wanted to take a second to let everyone know that from November 3rd to November 9th we will be accepting donations of diapers and baby formula to help support Mary’s Center… and if you bring in a donation the Brass Knob will give you 20% off any regularly priced item. How could you NOT do this?!

Several other Adams Morgan businesses will be offering similar promotions. Time to go shopping (Christmas is right around the corner after all).

Mary’s Center, founded in 1988, is a federally qualified health center located in Adams Morgan that provides health care, family literacy and social services to 24,000 individuals whose needs too often go unmet by the public and private systems. Mary’s Center uses a holistic, multipronged approach to help each participant access individualized services that set them on the path toward good health, stable families, and economic independence. The Center offers high-quality, professional care in a safe and trusting environment to residents from the entire DC metropolitan region, including individuals from over 91 countries. More info at www.maryscenter.org

For over 30 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has been Washington’s most trusted source for all manner of antique home elements including doorknobs, tiles, stained & leaded glass, antique lighting (chandeliers, sconces & lamps!) fireplace tools and mantles (to name a few things). Please feel free to stop buy and see us. Even if you aren’t local to DC you can find a large selection of our items on our website. Don’t see what you need? Give us a call at 202-332-3370 or email us at info@thebrassknob.com. As our inventory is constantly changing it’s not always possible to get everything on the website; give us a call and we will do our best to find exactly what you need.

Through the Construction… We’re Still Open!

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:05:05 +0000

We thought that we should take a few moments to remind everyone that through all the construction on 18th St WE’RE STILL OPEN!

The on-going Adams Morgan Streetscape Project has ushered in LOTS of construction on 18th St in the past year or so, and it may serve as a deterrent for some shoppers. While there isn’t parking in front of our shop at the moment we are still super accessible. Just north of where we’re located (2311 18th) there is a parking garage that offers rates of 2 hours for $2.00 or 4 hours for $6.00. It is the Colonial Parking lot located at 2421 18th St. If you bring your parking pass to our shop, we can validate it for you to make sure that you get the rates mentioned above. Do keep in mind, however, that these rates are good only before 5:00. We hope that this isn’t an inconvenience for our shoppers, as the parking lot is located very, very close to our shop… actually it’s probably easier than finding street parking when there isn’t construction going on!

While it’s easy to get frustrated with construction it is important to remember that the Streetscape project is ultimately aimed at making Adams Morgan a more welcoming and beautiful neighborhood. For more info, including specifics of the end goals, check out the Project’s website.

For over 30 years The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has been Washington’s most trusted source for all manner of antique home elements including doorknobs, tiles, stained & leaded glass, antique lighting (chandeliers, sconces & lamps!) fireplace tools and mantles (to name a few things). Please feel free to stop buy and see us. Even if you aren’t local to DC you can find a large selection of our items on our website. Don’t see what you need? Give us a call at 202-332-3370 or email us at info@thebrassknob.com. As our inventory is constantly changing it’s not always possible to get everything on the website; give us a call and we will do our best to find exactly what you need.

Beautiful New Beveled Glass Windows

admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:14:06 +0000

Most people know The Brass knob as the leader in antique hardware and lighting in Washington, DC, though some may not realize that we are much more than that. We have a seemingly endless inventory of other items such as decorative tiles, bathroom fixtures, mantles, fireplace tools, iron grates and stained and beveled glass. With that last item in mind, today we’ll feature some beautiful beveled glass windows that we recently acquired here in the shop.

The first window is a single (only one available) that boasts beveled clear glass, beveled pebble glass, beveled glue chip glass and a star burst wheel cut center panel. This is an unusual piece and would be a wonderful addition to any home. You will find it pictured below.

Single Beveled Glass Window

The next window pictured is one of four gorgeous double hung beveled glass windows that we have for sale (sold as two pairs). Each of these remarkable windows features a wheel cut star in the center panel surrounded by all clear beveled glass. These double hung beauties would turn any room into a eye-catching conversation starter.

Double Hung Beveled Glass Window - Two Pairs Available

If you have any questions or comments about these windows please don’t hesitate to call us (202.332.3370) or email (info@thebrassknob.com).

Also, please take a look at our site to see the many other items that we offer. If you don’t see what you need please let us know! Not everything is pictured on the site, and we get new things in all the time.

Brighten Up Your Bathroom with Antique Accessories!

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:08:45 +0000

Are you looking to add a unique, personal touch to your bathroom? Then consider using antique bathroom fixtures and accessories!

Modern bathroom hardware can often be plain, generic and, well, boring. Antique hardware is anything but. Turn heads with an antique tumbler holder; impress guests with an old towel rod; spruce up your space with a vintage toothbrush holder… You will find that with a few small additions you can turn your bathroom into a room that you and your visitors alike will love and admire. These accessories will add the perfect touch to your bathroom and help to build a sanctuary in your home that is one of a kind.

Visit the knowledgeable staff at The Brass Knob for tips and suggestions for your bathroom. We carry a large number of exceptional pieces that you will not find anywhere else. Below you’ll find a picture of just some of our distinctive items; if you don’t see what you’re looking for please give us a call (202-332-3370) or send us an email (info@thebrassknob.com). We will likely be able to find just what you need! While you’re at it check out our website to see a huge selections of other vintage and antique items including door hardware, lighting, mantels, fireplace tools, stained & leaded glass windows, tiles and much, much more!

A Selection of Our Bathroom Accessories

We’re Still Here!

admin — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:23:52 +0000

While we continue to mourn the loss of The Brass Knob Backdoors Warehouse, we do want to take a moment to assure everyone that we aren’t going anywhere! After 30 years in Adams Morgan we are still going strong and our doors remain open.

We understand that there may have been a bit of confusion with the Backdoors Warehouse closing; the similarities in the names of the two companies led many to believe that The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques was closing as well. Not true! Although we have had a greatly intertwined, friendly history with the Backdoors Warehouse, we were, in fact, two distinctly different companies. Rest assured that we join the rest of D.C. wishing the Backdoors a sad farewell!

We hope to continue to be Washington, D.C.’s leading source for antique door hardware, antique lighting, vintage lighting, tiles, antique fireplace mantles, antique iron, antique stained glass and much more for years to come. People all over the country have come to rely on us for quality inventory, lighting restoration and knowledgeble service, and we have no intention of letting them down!

To see some of the items that we have, and for info on how to contact us (if you don’t see what you need, just ask!) visit us on our website & Facebook.