Downsizing with a difference. Reducing the height of antique doors to make them suitable for their 'new' period home. 1 down, 2 to go. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

It's the little things that matter. Showing respect for a room designed c1868 by Dover Borough Surveyor John Hanvey. An extension to grade I listed Maison Dieu Dover Town Hall. A bespoke lock 'keep' to replace a bit of a bodge job. I hope Mr Hanvey would approve. #TheDoorRestorer

When you can't buy what you need, You sometimes have to make it. Upcycle Recycle Re-purpose Reuse ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

I had a phone call today from one of my suppliers ... "worried" about me, 'cos they hadn't seen me in ages. I know they ring up every month, to try and boost sales and reach targets. But I still appreciate the thoughtful and caring tone of the call.

It's a beautiful building

As requested by the concierge, and the sign at the bottom of the stairs, I resisted climbing a single stair, abiding by the rules. Famously, St. Pancras was thankfully saved from demolition by Sir John Betjeman and others.

Situated in the former Great Midland Hotel section of Sir George Gilbert Scott's St. Pancras, the staircase is something I've long admired in other people's photos, and longed to see for myself.

I've not been posting doors, locks, knobs & hinges lately, 'cos I've not had any work in lately. Earlier this month, I attended the @savetoreuse.bsky.social BaR event, which temporarily boosted morale. Travelling to St Pancras Int, I used a little spare time to check out the Grand Staircase

Days with zero income Day 21 3 weeks Chisel sharpening

When I was a kid, I used to sort various size, mixed up screws for my father, and put them in the appropriate box. Half a century on, I'm still doing it now. For myself. The average age of these screws has got to be similar. 😀 Reclaim Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️

I salvage slotted screws too! ... And washers with a 10 - 12mm hole!

I salvage whatever door furniture I can, all year round. As well as rescuing period doors. Today, 22nd April is #EarthDay A day where people all over the planet are promoting sustainability. I know I bang on about it all the time ... Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

Two of the four doors that received the reclaimed rimlocks. Bathroom on the left, study on the right. As part of a thorough renovation of the terraced Victorian house, the doors were restored in stages over a period of a year and a half. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

The hall side of this bathroom door had a different handle from the inside. A chrome lever lock handle. A bit of a DIY mismatch. The repaired and sanded door is now looking as good as it can for something that is 130 years old.

Turning back the clock, by converting this Victorian door, from it's modern makeover of mortice lock and 'fashionable(?)' door furniture, back to it's original arrangement of surface rimlock with more traditional knobs. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

I salvaged a total of 5 matching, painted locks, 2 or 3 years ago. Then in October '24 I was approached to restore 4 late Victorian doors. These locks were ideal, so I set them aside. The doors have been done 1 at a time. I've finally got the last one in the workshop. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle

2/2 A close up Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

A before and after in the one shot. A late Victorian 4 panel door with panel mouldings. Over the years, a gap has developed between the mouldings and the main sections of the door. Previous repairs include putty, polyfilla and sealant. Got rid of all that, and refixed the mouldings. 1/2

How it looked when it arrived at the workshop

I'm reversing this period door back to having its original arrangement of rimlock and knobs. More recently it had a modern mortice sashlock and lever handles. These photos show how I've rebuilt and repaired the door in stages. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

Not something I recommend for DIY Leave this one with me 😂 #TheDoorRestorer Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ 🔊

No offence to painters & decorators, but I do prefer the 'decoration' of mother nature. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

Hmmm 🤔 Interesting 'Ghost marks' for rimlocks both sides of the lock (middle) rail of this late Victorian door.

Think road kill, well ... This is 'street salvage' Picked up on my walk to the workshop this morning. I use these washers to take up the slack between door knobs. I may not be able to save the planet, but it all helps in a tiny way. Reclaim Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

"LOCK HANDMADE" it says Well over a century old Respect It had no keys, but a local locksmith has the skills required to provide new ones Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

I wasn't quite sure how this one would turn out. This thin cupboard door looked a bit rubbish, caked in paint, with filler between the planks. But getting it back to its 'bare' beginnings, has resulted in a beautiful little 200-ish year old matchboarded cottage door. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️

Happy to see these doors finally leaving the workshop and heading home to London. Delivered to me and collected by a courier, who lives close to me ... a good reliable guy. Our client has been having trouble with his contractors, which has caused long delays. Good tradespeople are rare. Cherish them

Work in progress on one of the doors in the workshop. I spend much of my time stripping & sanding paint off of period doors. One reason I can't bring myself to do any (re)painting! IMHO mother nature's decoration is better than anything man-made. They enter painted, leave bare! #TheDoorRestorer

A seemingly unremarkable cupboard door in a semi rural cottage. Approx 200 years old. It's survived countless occupants, not one has removed/replaced the door. The hinges, not at all elaborate, are nonetheless beautiful in there timeless simplicity. Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️ #TheDoorRestorer

DIY by someone who didn't really know what they were doing? ... Or a fashionable faux pas by someone who should know better? I recommend period door furniture for period doors. #TheDoorRestorer Repair Restore Re-use Recycle ♻️