In 1958, Stan & Jerry Paul decided to open their own decorative and builders hardware business after running a similar business for an absentee owner for several years. They found a small space to build a showroom on 50th St in mid-town Manhattan and set out to offer unique hardware imported from around the world. As their business grew in the 1960’s they looked to expand their product offerings. Stan and Jerry saw a need for faucets that were more than the utilitarian designs sold for residential uses. They took a pinecone shaped finial typically used at the bottom of a banister and broached it to fit a lavatory valve. They found a coordinating decorative lavatory spout and placed the new Pinecone faucet in their showroom. The overwhelming demand for their new faucet prompted them to continue adapting handles designed for other purposes to faucet handles. The Paul brand grew rapidly in the 1970’s as Stan and Jerry moved to a larger showroom on 55th Street in mid-t... [Detail]