With varied backgrounds in antiques, design and restoration, The Brass Knob’s knowledgeable staff is available to answer any questions you might have about our merchandise.

Donetta George
Donetta was a student of interior design when she co-founded The Brass Knob in 1981. A former partner in a travel marketing business, Donetta decided to combine her love of beautiful objects with her business background by opening a store to sell architectural antiques. She is responsible for purchasing all of The Brass Knob’s merchandise, as well as a myriad of other marketing and administrative tasks.

Kirk Palmatier
An antique collector since he was 10 years old, Kirk joined The Brass Knob in 1988 after leaving a career in banking to work with another architectural antiques dealer. Kirk specializes in restoring lighting, hardware, and mantels to their original state. Dedicated to helping customers find “just the right object,” Kirk is completely self-taught in restoration, learning through direct experience and practice -and always with an eye toward authenticity.

Richard Lock
Richard joined The Brass Knob in 1999, bringing with him a vast knowledge of antiques and architecture. Richard worked as an architect in Atlanta for 18 years, owned a small antique shop in Chicago for five years, and then worked with a New Orleans auction house prior to moving to Washington DC. He is an expert at maintaining and saving existing metal finishes, as well as refinishing wooden items. Drawing on his experience creating auction catalogs, he also does the photography and writes the descriptions for the items featured on The Brass Knob’s Web site.

Wayne Parsons
A retired electrical engineer, Wayne specializes in the repair and restoration of lighting fixtures, as well as assembling and repairing antique hardware. Wayne has been an employee of The Brass Knob since 1995. A long-time homeowner of turn-of-the-century homes, Wayne credits his restoration knowledge to hands-on experience.

Taylor Jenkins
Taylor, originally from Charleston, SC, is the newest member of The Brass Knob sales staff, joining in 2008. Taylor brings with him a strong interest in and appreciation for architectural antiques which began with an early attraction to the historical buildings of his hometown.