Bootstrapped, Resilient, and Uncompromising: Utilitarian Artists Redefine Door Hardware

Deck the Door Decor: The Artist-Driven Brand That Refuses to Play by the Rules

Deck the Door Decor isn’t just another hardware company. We don’t exist to bombard you with spec sheets, acronyms, and meaningless jargon. We’re not another cog in the corporate mass-production machine, nor are we here to peddle disposable, trend-chasing home decor. We create lasting, expressive pieces that mean something—designed by real artists, crafted with integrity, and built to endure. Beauty & Utility collide, to create Custom Luxury Door Hardware. Well, to you it's Custom Luxury Door Hardware... to us, it's Utilitarian Art.

From Backyard Inspiration to a Brand That Wouldn’t Die

Our journey began as a simple DIY project. My mother, a Master Gardener with an eclectic eye, was preparing her backyard for a Better Homes and Gardens feature. She noticed the back patio door needed something—a final touch to bring everything together. Using materials she had on hand, she created what would become the first custom kick plate. Friends and family took notice, asked for their own, and just like that, the idea was born.

My mother wasn’t just any gardener—she ran an upscale landscape design company, known for her contagious style vision. Word-of-mouth referrals kept her business thriving because she had a rare talent for transforming gardens into works of art. Some think of landscaping and picture the clean uniformity of Traditional English Gardens. My Mother's style was more similar to the grand finale of a 4th of July Fireworks show. She has an uncanny ability to merge multiple styles with chaos and order simultaneously. That same philosophy of thoughtful, expressive design laid the foundation for Deck the Door Decor.

I had just graduated college, full of ambition and naivety, believing that turning this project into a business would be straightforward. It wasn’t. The path was filled with self-discovery, financial hardship, and relentless trial and error. We tested manufacturing methods from a dozen different suppliers, engineered custom packaging, and bootstrapped every step of the way. Through sheer willpower (and maxed-out credit cards), Deck the Door Decor survived setbacks that should have crushed it. We were even on the brink of bankruptcy—until an unexpected $8,000 order came in, giving us just enough breathing room to keep moving forward.

More Than a Business—A Philosophy of Authentic Living

For both my mother and me, spaces have always been deeply personal. Your home isn’t just walls and a roof; it’s your sanctuary, the external expression of your inner world. Your home should reflect who you are and give you a sense of stability, creativity, and peace. That’s what we aim to support.

We’re not here to sell you the illusion that buying our products will give your life meaning—that’s marketing propaganda, and we want no part of it. What we do offer is a way for you to enhance the beauty and

function of your home in a way that aligns with your identity while saving you from having to refinish or replace doors along the way. Our products aren’t gimmicks; they’re aesthetically engineered solutions. We don’t believe in the cycle of endless consumption, where cheap, disposable goods are constantly shoved down your throat. We create pieces that last, for people who appreciate quality over quantity.

Also, doing all of this in a sustainable way was very important to us. Read about how we accomplished that aspect here.

The Fight Against Generic, Corporate-Made Clutter

If you want generic, mass-produced hardware with zero soul, the big-box stores are happy to take your money. But if you want something made by real people—artists, designers, and craftspeople who care about their work—then you’ve found your place. We’re not here to persuade you with over-the-top advertising. We don’t need to. Our work speaks for itself.

Deck the Door Decor offers a very exclusive product catalog ranging from the best engineered version of the simple traditional kick plate, to The Most Expensive Kick Plate in the World - The Monument Plate. There's a gambit of exquisite masterpiece products in-between. The hardest part is deciding which one you want!

Built on Passion, Grit, and a Relentless Drive to Create

Deck the Door Decor wasn’t built on corporate funding or easy breaks. It was built in a 600-square-foot apartment, with makeshift production lines running through a laundry room. It was built by hauling raw materials up and down basement stairs, packaging every product by hand, and navigating the chaos of bootstrapped entrepreneurship. It was built by a team that refused to quit—even when every rational sign pointed to giving up.

When we finally expanded to our first warehouse, we didn’t just move into a new space; we took complete control of our manufacturing. We invested in vintage 1955 machinery, restored it, and committed to time-tested methods that ensure superior craftsmanship. We never planned on being manufacturers—but if doing it ourselves is the only way to guarantee the quality we demand, so be it. That’s the only way we’re willing to operate.

The Team That Makes It Happen

One of the biggest turning points for Deck the Door Decor was when Monica joined as Chief Operations Officer and co-founder. With a Master’s degree in Art Therapy, Monica brings a unique perspective on how aesthetics and environment impact well-being. Her ability to balance structure with creativity has been essential in scaling our operations without losing the artistry at our core.

My brother Victor is a Master Fabricator, and he is our production manager. He’s worked on some very prestigious installments & also has experience with Production Line Manufacturing, so he is the perfect person for the job. We’ve blended relentless skilled craftsmanship with scaled manufacturing methods (old-school & new-school methods mixed together) so our company is nimble, precise, & able to scale while remaining full of soul. 

Although we are priory driven by artistic inspiration, the technical side (all that industry spec talk) is embedded as a second priority. In the proverbial "Designer vs. Engineer" debate, we placed them in their natural roles; the designers lead with vision, the engineers execute that vision. It's a perfect balance.

For me, customization isn’t just a business—it’s a passion. I love custom everything—cars, homes, gardens, coffee mugs—anything that transforms an ordinary space into something personal and extraordinary. That love for tailored, one-of-a-kind creations fuels everything we do at Deck the Door Decor. The world is a noisy place; we want to contribute to building peaceful places. You also only live one life, your life; and that makes it personal & special.

Why We Do It

What keeps us going? It’s not just the drive to create something different—it’s the people who resonate with what we do. Customers who send us thank-you notes, who tell us our products made their homes more beautiful, who say our work has had a meaningful impact on their lives. We've even had people say our Dog Scratch Plates saved their marriage! That’s what makes it all worth it.

So, if you want something real—crafted with purpose, designed for self-expression, and built to last—we’re here. If not, that’s fine too. We’re not in the business of convincing you. We just make cool stuff. And if that speaks to you, we’re excited to meet you.

🎥 See all the gritty details on how we started our company from nothing here.