A Note on Hardware

I, personally, think expensive hardware is worth the money. It makes a huge difference to the believability of your room. The most commonly available hardware is Houseworks, which is OK but not great. All of Houseworks' hardware is brass, for starters, and brass isn't exactly the right look for many houses. Its also extremely simple. Houseworks' whole product line is really best suited for Victorian, or modern, dollhouses. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with either, and nothing wrong with simple styles, in general, using Houseworks should be a style choice--not your default option. There's absolutely nothing wrong with vanilla, and sometimes vanilla is exactly what you want--but before you reach for vanilla yet again, try another flavor! There are so many flavors to choose from.

Some of my favorites are,

1. Olde Mountain Miniatures (available from Earth and Tree Miniatures, www.earthandtree.com, or directly from their website, www.oldemountain.com) makes historically accurate American colonial hardware in a variety of styles. The entire line is of wonderful quality, and perfect for a colonial or federal house. A noteworthy feature of the line is the fact that Olde Mountain Miniatures divides it up by time period and geographic area. If you're really into historical accuracy, then this is very valuable. I'm currently building a historically accurate New Hampshire colonial, and I appreciate the fact that I can purchase hardware that's historically accurate not only for colonial America, but also for colonial New Hampshire.

2. Designer Home (available from Earth and Tree Miniatures) has a wonderful line of Victorian hardware. Although its similar to Houseworks, its much more detailed. I used Designer Home hardware in the Hampton.

3. Mainly Minis (www.mainlyminis.net) sells a working Westminster chimes doorknob and doorbell. It comes with its own seperate electrical circuit and battery box.

Don't be afraid to get out there and look around!