I cut off the zip ties that I used in place of the hardware while I was painting. I did not replace with new hardware--I just buffed the original hardware with Barkeeper's Friend and put it back on. I wanted to stay as authentically vintage as possible.
And that was it! I was done, at last!
Here is my final project. It's helped my grief.
I only wish my mom were here to see it. She would have loved it.
