Kitchen Hardware: Knobs & Pulls – Jewels for your Cabinets
Last month we looked at fabrics. This segment focuses on hardware, in particular, the knobs and pulls that adorn cabinetry. (There’s also great hardware available for your paneled appliances, pantry and entry doors.)
CABINET HARDWARE ENHANCES A ROOM
Never underestimate the power of heavenly hardware to enhance the look of a room. For example, consider how the simple, curved cabinet door handles echo the curve and finish of the appliance handles and tie in with the coastal simplicity of this kitchen.
Kitchen designed by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS
SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE DECORATIVE TOUCHES
Try to imagine this kitchen with naked doors and drawers, or with cheap plastic hardware. Either would totally detract from the otherwise pulled-together room. Cabinet hardware is one of the simplest — and often most affordable — ways to dress up a kitchen or bath or change its style to fit your new decor.
Here are some great knobs and pulls to consider, even if you’re not planning a major redo. Small touches can make a big difference!
The new Italian Design Collection from Topex can take your basic slab door kitchen cabinets from blah to bellissima.
At the other end of the style spectrum is Anthropologie‘s Mother-of-Pearl Knob. This beauty would elegantly bejewel a traditional style master bath.
Consider alternative materials to add texture and taste to your stained wood cabinets. Here’s a great look in leather by Atlas Homewares.
For more hardware styles plus essential hardware shopping tips, please click here
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Please check back next month when Details covers final touches for your kitchen and bath.
This is the fourth of a five-part, first week of the month series with The Decorating Diva. Each of the five Details editions will focus on a single room detail that can make a huge difference in the success of that space’s style.
ABOUT JAMIE GOLDBERG
Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS is an NKBA-certified kitchen and bath designer and a freelance design journalist. Her articles have appeared in Signature Kitchens & Baths Magazine, Fine Homebuilding, BobVila.com, KitchenBathIdeas.com and many others. She is also a regular contributor to Kitchens.com, where her Sensible Style blog appears each month.
Jamie currently lives and works in San Diego, California, where she writes her own Gold Notes blog and serves as the Design & Marketing Director for Italian Kitchen Design and Distribution, an importer of quality European cabinetry, based in the San Diego suburb of Escondido.
Read More »Decorating with Fabric: Kitchen Edition
ABOUT JAMIE GOLDBERG
Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS is an NKBA-certified kitchen and bath designer and a freelance design journalist. Her articles have appeared in Signature Kitchens & Baths Magazine, Fine Homebuilding, BobVila.com, KitchenBathIdeas.com and many others. She is also a regular contributor to Kitchens.com, where her Sensible Style blog appears each month.
Jamie currently lives and works in San Diego, California, where she writes her own Gold Notes blog and serves as the Design & Marketing Director for Italian Kitchen Design and Distribution, an importer of quality European cabinetry, based in the San Diego suburb of Escondido.
Last month we looked at faucets. This segment focuses on fabrics and fibers. Never underestimate the power of terrific textiles to enhance the look of a room. To see what I mean, try to imagine the chandelier in this kitchen with naked bulbs.
Kitchen designed by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS
Such an unfinished look would totally detract from the otherwise pulled-together room. Fabrics can quickly, easily and often inexpensively update a room.
Five fabric decorating ideas to consider:
- Replace your oven mitt and dish towels, your tablecloth, place mats and napkins.
- Create "new" kitchen chairs by slip covering them with an attractive fabric.
- Minimize an unappealing floor with a throw rug.
- Dress up a basic light fixture by adding fabric shade covers.
- Swap out fabric window shades seasonally.
Great fabrics and fibers to consider for your kitchen, even if you’re not planning a major redo. Small touches can make a big difference!
Outdoor rugs like this Crewel Floral from Ballard Designs offer easy-clean Sensible Style for your kitchen!
Coordinate your window covering to the style of your room, as this London Fabric Shade from Smith+Noble so beautifully does for this kitchen.
Give your old chairs the slip! A great camouflage like this Dining Room Loose-Fit Slipcover from Pottery Barn gives you a new look for less.
Three essential kitchen fabric tips, plus lots more great fabric updates!
Next Details’ Column: Heavenly hardware for your kitchen and bath.
Read More »Kitchen and Bath Faucets: Details by Jamie Goldberg
ABOUT JAMIE GOLDBERG
Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS is an NKBA-certified kitchen and bath designer and a freelance design journalist. Her articles have appeared in Signature Kitchens & Baths Magazine, Fine Homebuilding, BobVila.com, KitchenBathIdeas.com and many others. She is also a regular contributor to Kitchens.com, where her Sensible Style blog appears each month.
Jamie currently lives and works in San Diego, California, where she writes her own Gold Notes blog and serves as the Design & Marketing Director for Italian Kitchen Design and Distribution, an importer of quality European cabinetry, based in the San Diego suburb of Escondido.
The Power of a Terrific Tap to Up the Style Quotient
Last month we looked at kitchen and bath lighting. This segment focuses on faucets. Never underestimate the power of a terrific tap to up the style quotient in your kitchen or bath. To see what I mean, try to imagine this bathroom with a plastic-handled, builder basic faucet.
Bathroom designed by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS
Such a tacky, outdated fixture would totally downgrade the elegance of this traditional, remodeled bathroom. I visited the remodeled master bath of an acquaintance who had spent her whole budget on custom cabinets, stone tops and new floors, but opted not to replace her builder grade faucets. What do you think got noticed first? Yep, the out-of-place plastic knobs stuck out like a sore thumb. Here are some great faucets to consider for your kitchen and bath, even if you’re not planning a remodel.
This Traditional Triflow Faucet from Rohl features integrated water filtration. There’s also a bathroom version available so you can brush your teeth with filtered water, too.
This is Brizo‘s Talo faucet with SmartTouch Technology. One lucky reader won one of these from Gold Notes, The Decorating Diva, LLC and Brizo. Click here for details on the winning entry.
This strikingly-unique Italian-designed Wolo faucet has American (Elkay) and European (Webert) lineage.
I’ve long delighted in the breezy style of Danze‘s South Sea series, which may show up in one of my own bathrooms one day.
This graceful modern Stance Faucet by Kohler showed up at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.
Two Key Points About Bathroom Faucets
- If you’re considering replacing shower or tub faucets, you will most likely have to replace the valve behind the wall and below the deck, too, which means a larger project. If you stay within the same brand family, you may not have to. Check with a plumbing sales specialist for assistance.
- Bathroom sink faucets come in various configurations. Four-inch spreads are probably the most common. Be sure you know what you need before you order if you’re not replacing your sink or countertops.
Three Key Points About Kitchen Faucets
- If the faucet is the only kitchen component being replaced, consider how many holes you have in your sink or countertop and don’t exceed that number.
- If you’re planning on upgrading your countertops later on, look for a faucet that can be mounted without a deck plate, and find out whether an extension will be needed to accommodate thicker tops. Buy it now while the part is available and keep it in storage for your eventual remodel.
- If your sink is tucked behind a raised bar, consider the height difference if you don’t want your faucet to be seen from the next room.
Get more kitchen and bath faucet ideas at Jamie’s post, Details #2 Faucet coverage on Gold Notes.
And please check back next month when Details covers Fabrics and Fibers, including window coverings, towels and more.
Read More »Kitchen & Bath Lighting Edition: Details by Jamie Goldberg
The Decorating Diva, LLC is delighted to introduce “Details” a new kitchen and bath design column, by design expert Jamie Goldberg.
Kitchen & Bath Lighting
Lighting is probably the most critical element to consider in your kitchen and bath design. If you’re not sure what I mean, imagine this remodeled kitchen with a florescent light box on its ceiling.
Kitchen designed by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS
Not only would the outdated lighting fixture detract from the elegant cabinetry and granite countertops, it wouldn’t deliver the light quality your kitchen deserves.
Below are some great lighting fixtures to consider for your kitchen and bath, even if you’re not planning a remodel.
Good-looking Melrose Pendants by Tech Lighting.
Brand, striking new Banja Mini Pendant from LBL Lighting.
One of my long-time favorites, the Hundi Lantern at Pottery Barn.
Holtkoetter’s 2980.1 Sconce, a sexy VML Design & Lighting suggestion.
Kalco‘s Asiana LED Module delivers energy efficiency and exotic allure.
Three essential points about kitchen lighting that you should consider:
- Do you need to augment the room’s natural light with general room lighting? This is often achieved with recessed can lighting – now available in energy-efficient LEDs.
- Is there enough light shining on your work spaces? Consider adding under-cabinet lights and an island fixture or pendants, if applicable, to illuminate those key spots.
- Is there sufficient light at your eat-in space? This doubles as homework central in many homes. In others, it’s the spot to enjoy a cup of coffee with the morning paper.
And a couple of lighting ideas for the bath:
- Do you have enough light for shaving and make-up application at your vanity? A small lighting upgrade in the bathroom can make a big difference in both functionality and style.
- Is there a water-resistant light above your tub or shower? Consider adding one if there isn’t one already.
More Details coverage of Kitchen and Bath Lighting at Jamie’s Gold Notes blog,
Jamie Talks About “Details”
Details is a five-part monthly series in which each of the kitchen and bath design columns will focus on a single room detail that can make a huge difference in the success of that room’s style. In this series, we’ll look at lighting, hardware, fabrics, faucets and accessories.
We’ll also be giving away a fabulous faucet from Brizo and a room full of new Italian collection hardware from Topex. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on those opportunities!
ABOUT JAMIE GOLDBERG
Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS is an NKBA-certified kitchen and bath designer and a freelance design journalist. Her articles have appeared in Signature Kitchens & Baths Magazine, Fine Homebuilding, BobVila.com, KitchenBathIdeas.com and many others. She is also a regular contributor to Kitchens.com, where her Sensible Style blog appears each month.
Jamie currently lives and works in San Diego, California, where she writes her own Gold Notes blog and serves as the Design & Marketing Director for Italian Kitchen Design and Distribution, an importer of quality European cabinetry, based in the San Diego suburb of Escondido.
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