The Finishing Touch To Your Kitchen
A successful kitchen scheme co-ordinates many elements: cabinets, appliances, tiling, taps and, last but by no means least, hardware. Before choosing your handles, knobs and hinges, there are some fundamental questions to ask. Is your kitchen modern or traditional? Choose corresponding hardware because anything else will jar. What materials have you chosen? If you have a modern, gloss finish, stick to a similar aesthetic. What’s the lighting like? For a cohesive look, match the door handles to the finish on wall lights or pendants as door handles.
Stanza’s Thea Ingram, an interior designer specialising in Italian kitchen design, often sources hardware for clients from trendsetting Buster & Punch. “Its utilitarian design works really well to add interest to simple joinery,” explains Thea. “Matching the multiple finishes to the sockets, switches and door handles is a must for continuity.”
Finding fresh, original designs can be challenging when certain trends dominate, but don’t ignore established companies such as Armac Martin and Crofts & Assinder. “Dowsing & Reynolds is my first port of call for hardware,” says interiors blogger Sharon Hornsby of Hornsby Style. “I used its copper switches with gold toggles in my previous home and they looked fabulous. Everyone who visited commented on them as they had never seen anything similar before – I love that!”
Rowen & Wren is also defining current hardware trends, thanks to founder and designer Alex Wren’s ability to deliver style and functionality. “Deciding what to include in our new hardware collection was a combination of building on the pieces that we knew our customers loved and adding new profiles that we felt were missing. For me, the new collection is a story of filling gaps so that every aspect of your home benefits from meaningful consideration.”
A Selection Of Our Favourite Designs
Brass
A firmly established trend that shows no signs of abating, brass adds glamour to a range of kitchen styles. It works against pale and dark wood doors, as well as painted cabinets.
Chrome & Stainless Steel
A stalwart in the kitchen-handle category, silvery tones are classic and timeless. Less on-trend than brass, this finish is easy to live with and won’t date.
Black
Simple, but black packs a design punch. It’s a more masculine finish that is very effective against white, pale shades (even a dirty pink) and striking when used against very dark stained wood.
Wood
Rustic kitchens are making a comeback and wooden knobs are a charming finishing touch.
Leather
A tactile option that adds interest and detail, leather handles can be used vertically or horizontally. They’ll wear in nicely too, so are good in the long run.
Looking for simple ways to extend the lifespan of your current kitchen? Thea Ingram has this advice:
-
Change the colour of the doors to a more modern shade from new colour charts – Paint & Paper Library has a good range. Match the wall colours to the units for a fresh look.
-
Renew the hardware. New handles in a more contrasting finish to the door colour always work.
-
New worktops can be costly, but make the biggest change in terms of colour and light.
-
Switch the splashback. Tiles are coming back into fashion, with encaustic tiles in modern patterns particularly popular.
-
Update the lighting over the island, if you have one. Add feature wall lights into the room, particularly around any dining area.
Where To Buy:
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.
INSPIRATION CREDITS: BlakesLondon.com