Classic Entry Door Handles

Thumb latch handle sets are often used in  traditional styles of door hardware to make a  grand entry statement. The thumb piece on the front side of the door is usually one small decorative detail on a much larger back-plate. The Hedgerow, Grapevine and Willow collections all contain a thumb-latch entry set and we have designed to be an integral part of each set.

We also use the same mechanism on the Lizard entryway set where a less traditional butterfly is the thumb piece.

Understanding the function of the thumb piece

The thumb piece is used to activate the door latch that keeps the door closed. Our thumb latch sets have been designed for use with mortise locks which house the latch and deadbolt mechanism within a solid 6”H x 3”D x ½”W metal case installed inside the body of the door. The thumb piece has a seesaw motion so pressing down on the exposed thumb end pushes up the end that sits within the mortise box underneath the toggle area. When pushed up by the thumb piece the toggle plate pivots backwards which triggers a hammer plate backwards thereby releasing the latch and spring which kept the latch extended and the door closed. The hammer and spring, when released allow the latch to return into the body of the mortise thereby allowing the door to be pulled open.

When Creative Minds Collaborate

The result can be a wonderful surprise as I just discovered when I came across the entry way door to an Encinitas residence designed by the very talented Joseph McCarter, the Principal Designer at J.W. McCarter & Associates. I happened upon a close-up shot of our green patina lizard set which was posted on Instagram and reached out to JWM to find out more.

What I discovered was an entry way grand in scale that seamlessly married the skills of wood artisans, glass makers and bronze sculptors to create a unique entry experience. The close up shot of the Lizard handle set only hints at the puzzle like design of the door and frame that was Joseph McCarters’ creative solution to a shortage of long boards of Mahogany.

See More from Our Lizard Collection

Photographer Nader Essa, Photos Courtesy J.W.McCarter & Associates

The puzzle design accentuates the scale of the entry and it is a playful theme that is carried through with our whimsical gecko pull mounted as an incidental accent on the right side of the door. Nature is clearly the driving force for this entry statement and the tropical monstera adansonil “cheese plant” fabricated in stained glass by Glass Light Studio is the vine that weaves from the top to the bottom of the door tying together the parrot, gecko and lizard.

The entry door acts as a bridge from exterior to interior. The grandeur of exterior is achieved in part through the scale of the mahogany puzzle sections and by the upward shining light manufactured by ELA. The treatment of the door interior is more familiar with the door being integrated with the surface of the interior walls and mounted art.

The photographs shown here are courtesy of J.W. McCarter & Associates and the photographer was Nader Essa who specializes in architectural and interior design photography

The door was fabricated by Busch Woodworking.