Antique crystal doorknobs, and even old metallic knobs, make intriguing holders for curtain tiebacks. And with the perfect hardware, even though novice do-it-yourselfers can finish this undertaking. With cheap dummy spindles sold at many home improvement and hardware stores, it is possible to finish this job in two or three hours or less.
Hunt through antique or thrift stores for old doorknobs unless you have a pair already you can create into curtain tiebacks.
Detach the doorknobs in the hardware if they’re still attached. A screw and a washer on the other side of the rear plate retains the doorknob connected to the hardware. Remove the screw with a screwdriver by turning it counterclockwise. Establish the rear plate, washer and screw aside.
Create marks on the wall beside each side of this window where you want to set up the curtain tie-backs. For floor-length drapes, measure up the wall 39 inches to set the locations for your tiebacks. For drapes that span the period of the window only, measure up 12 inches in the bottom sill on either side of the window.
Hold the dummy spindle against the wall in the marked location, first on one side of this window, then another. Insert the pencil through the screw holes at the spindle to signal where to drill the holes for the screws or drywall anchors. You only have to install drywall anchors if your curtain tiebacks will probably be installed 3 inches or more beyond the border of this window, since if the house was built using conventional construction techniques, you should be able to set up the dummy spindle right into the jack or king fireplace which facilitates the window header.
Install the anchors in the wall if you don’t have wood to affix the dummy spindle set up. Hold the backbone positioned so that the tip is at the hole. Gently tap on the anchor with the hammer to add it in the wall. Don’t hit it hard or you may crush it. Skip this step if you are installing wood screws.
Mount the dummy spindle on the wall. Insert the screw through the spindle and tighten it with the screwdriver, but avoid overtightening it.
Screw the doorknob onto the dummy spindle by turning it clockwise. Take care to avoid cross threading it since you screw it to the spindle.