Vintage Door Knobs for Our Mountain Cabin
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know I’ve been using Nostalgic Warehouse hardware for almost 15 years. Since renovating our first historic home in Ohio, their brass door hardware has been a staple in every home we’ve renovated since. For our mountain cabin, I wanted to try something a little different… something with more character, a bit of rustic charm, and a finish that felt right at home alongside all the wood, vintage finds, and collected pieces we’ve been bringing into the cabin. I finally landed on the prettiest vintage inspired door knobs, and I’m excited to share what I chose!
If you’re in the market for new door hardware, I’ve share lots of posts on this topic. Be sure to give the following a read, for technical questions or my designer recommendations. Start here…
- How to Measure, Select, and Install Interior Door Hardware (A Step-by-Step Guide)
- Roundup: Brass Door Hardware
- How We Choose: Hardware
- Timeless Wayfair Hardware That Won’t Go Out of Style
- How to Order & Replace An Interior Door
Choosing Vintage Door Knobs for the Cabin
Hardware is one of those details I spend more time thinking about than most people probably realize. It’s small in scale, but you see it on every door— and it’s something you interact with every single day, multiple times each day. In our previous homes, I’ve gravitated toward more traditional hardware with classic silhouettes and brass finishes. The cabin has been a fun opportunity to explore a slightly different aesthetic.
I’ve been leaning into a collected, rustic, and western inspired look with rich wood tones, vintage textiles, and plenty of texture. I wanted the door hardware to feel like it belonged in an old mountain retreat, rather than something brand new that we added during a renovation. I wanted something that would complement the cabin’s character without feeling overly themed. Here were some of my contenders…
The Nostalgic Warehouse Hardware I Chose
Ultimately, I landed on the Mission Long Plate with Brown Porcelain Knob in Timeless Bronze from Nostalgic Warehouse. I’ve always appreciated their attention to detail, but this particular combination is different from anything I’ve used in any of our previous homes. There are three details that sold me:
- Brownish rust colored porcelain knobs: I love the warmth of the brown porcelain. It’s a beautiful alternative to the brass, glass, and metal knobs I’m typically drawn to.
- Mission style backplates: The elongated plates add architectural interest and give the hardware a more substantial, antique appearance.
- Timeless Bronze finish: You know I’m choosing bronze over matte black any day. The dark finish complements the warm wood tones throughout the cabin and creates a subtle contrast against the doors.
Together, these details give the hardware a vintage look without feeling overly decorative or too themed. I really love that the porcelain introduces another material into the space.
Why Brown Porcelain Door Knobs?
I think porcelain is such an underrated material when it comes to door hardware. We often default to brass, bronze, or polished nickel, but porcelain brings something completely different. It has a beautiful, smooth finish and a vintage quality that works particularly well in historic and rustic inspired interiors.
For our cabin, brown porcelain felt like a natural choice. It almost skews rust colored. It complements the wood tones without trying to match them exactly. It looks good against our natural pine doors, but also painted doors. We’ll have both throughout the cabin. I don’t think every finish in a home needs to coordinate perfectly. In fact, I usually prefer when materials complement one another rather than looking like they were purchased as a matching set. The brown porcelain also has a little more personality than a standard metal knob— which is exactly what I wanted for this project.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Nostalgic Warehouse
After using Nostalgic Warehouse for more than a decade, it’s safe to say I’m familiar with their hardware. I’ve specified and installed their products for several renovations, and I appreciate having access to so many traditional and vintage inspired designs. Their collections make it possible to find something that feels appropriate for different architectural styles without sacrificing design details. I can also attest to their quality and craftsmanship… it withstands the test of time.
I’m also brand loyal because they took a chance on me. All those years ago when I first started sharing our projects with the internet, they were my very first partnership. It felt like a fever dream. I’ve been working with the same people for almost 15 years… that’s unheard of this industry. They believed in me as a designer, and it’s easy to promote a product I genuinely love and spend my own money on. They’re talented, good people and their products match that. I love seeing that in a brand— it feels very rare these days… to connect on a deeper level.
Hardware Questions?
Porcelain is a hard, smooth material that can be very durable… although it can chip or crack with strong impact. We haven’t had any issues. Quality construction and proper installation definitely matter, just as they do with metal knobs.
I get that question more than you might imagine, so I wrote an entire blog post, comparing the two popular brands: Grandeur vs Emtek Exterior Door Hardware. Give it a read for an in-depth look and my honest review. I’ve obviously tried both. One is definitely more durable than the other.
Not necessarily! I prefer consistency in the overall design language rather than making every detail identical. You can mix hardware styles or finishes throughout a home, especially when there’s a thoughtful reason for doing so. I typically consider which rooms connect visually and whether the combinations feel cohesive. We’re using a mix of the following: for regular interior doors, for closet doors, and for exterior doors. They’re cohesive, but not identical.
Related Posts
Want to see more of our cabin renovation? I’m going to link posts in chronological order below. Feel free to catch up here…
- Cabin Hunting in the Utah Mountains
- First Look at Our Utah Cabin (Before Images Before We Started Renovating)
- Plans for Our Main Cabin Bath Renovation
- Cabin Main Bath Reveal
- Cabin Front Door Makeover Before and After
- Cabin Deck Corner Seating Area Reveal
- Cabin Deck Fire Pit Lounge Reveal
- Cabin Guest Bedroom Reveal with a Built-In Bed
I love how the smallest details can really build character in a home. These door knobs feel like such a natural fit for the cabin, and I’m glad I decided to venture outside my usual hardware selection. After more than a decade of using Nostalgic Warehouse, it’s fun to find a completely different combination that still feels timeless. If you’re working on a renovation of your own, don’t overlook the door hardware. It’s one of those finishing touches that’s worth taking the time to get right! I can’t wait to share more of the cabin with you. The loft bedroom is so close to being finished. More soon!