Cabinet Hardware: Finding the Right Mix

As you probably noticed yesterday, my office cabinets are naked. At least in terms of hardware. My decision making process on the matter has been woefully delayed, partially because I'm waiting on my desk, but mostly because I haven't had time to figure it out. The desk will have nickel plated legs that look somewhat like this...

So, nickel is definitely in the mix of finishes. The sputnik chandelier that is currently hanging has a chrome finish, however, I might be changing that. I really want to use a fixture that combines gold/brass tones and nickel/silvers ones. Currey & Company's Allusion chandelier is a favorite, but it hangs long so it might not work. 

And I plan to install a picture light at the top of the center cavity in the cabinet unit, so that finish needs to be taken in consideration as well. I'll probably use Circa's 30" Cabinet Maker's Picture light in Polished Nickel...

With all that in mind, I have decided to use brass pulls and knobs to provide some contrast. I don't want everything in the room to be monotone silver/gray! So, here are some of the options I've been considering...

1) Hexagonal Faceted Handle Pull - Nest Studio
2) Pyramid Cabinet Knob with Backplate - Rejuvenation
3) 6" Modern Pull No. 73850 - P.E. Guerin
4) Brass and Acrylic Handle - Nest Studio

1) Gothic Cabinet Knob No. 73300 - P.E. Guerin
2) 5" Bar Pull in Brushed Brass - Lewis Dolin
3) 3" Mission Style Solid Brass Ring Pull (Antique Brass finish)
4) Cabinet Bar Pull, 5 in. - Harney Hardware
5) Mission D Drawer Pull - Rejuvenation

1) Continental Cabinet Pull 8" C to C - Allied Brass via Wayfair
2) Mission D Pull with Backplate - Rejuvenation
3) Solid Brass Faceted Knob - Nest Studio
4) 3" on Center Square Glass Cabinet Handle with Solid Brass Base - House of Antique Hardware

Brass is tough because it's not a finish that is consistent across manufacturers (like polished nickel, for example). As you saw above, there is a lot of variance in the tone and texture, so I'd recommend sticking with one maker or getting samples prior to ordering.

Anyhow, over the weekend I photoshopped hardware options into a pic of the cabinets to help narrow down the possibilities. Here are a few of the mock-ups...

Pyramid Cabinet Knob with Backplate + Mission D Drawer Pull

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

 These are the Mission D Pull with Backplates...

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

3" Mission Style Solid Brass Ring Pull (might need to do the Polished Brass finish) + Pyramid Cabinet Knob with Backplate + Mission D Drawer Pull 

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

 Pyramids + Rings

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

Rings + simple bar pulls

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

The Pyramid knobs and Mission pulls from Rejuvenation are definitely more budget friendly than my other favorites from P.E. Guerin and Nest Studio, so I'll probably end up using some combination of those. I guess I could  get samples of ALL of them so I could play with the mix in person.

Also, In the mock-ups I included a painting called Louisa by Michelle Armas that I'd LOVE to get for the space. I also put a polished nickel picture light in there to show what that finish looks like near the brass.

What do you think? Any big opinions or preferences?

Bathroom + Closet Progress

Thought I'd crawl out from under my rock and share a little progress report on the bathroom/closet remodel that is going on at Chez Knight right now. So much has been accomplished since I last posted (which was almost two months ago...geeeeze) and now we are down to the nitty gritty details. Currently, the painters are texturing and prepping. As you'll see below, the tile guy still has some work to do. I think he and his crew had just grouted the shower area before I took these pics.

Anyhow, here's a glimpse of the project while it's still in a rather raw state...

This pic shows the double entry doors from the bedroom (on the left) and most of the wardrobe cabinetry. The ones on the right are for clothes and the ones in the back left are for shoes and purses.

Now we are coming around the corner of the main wardrobe unit and you can see the three new windows that were added (and Miley, of course, who is never far from the camera). I love all of the light - it's a major improvement from the dungeon that was our old bathroom/closet.

This view is opposite from the last one and shows part of the shower, the vanity area, and the WC. The inset medicine cabinets will be installed soon...I'm excited to see those in action. Actually, I'm ready to see all of the metal fixtures and hardware on the scene.

A better look at the shower zone. In case you are wondering, the little red and blue antennae are the valves for the exposed tub hardware. The tub will go right in front of those.

This spot is freshly grouted - I picked Custom Platinum for the white subway tile and Custom Snow White for all marble tile.

The long naked strip near the bottom will be topped with a piece of marble slab. I added this little ledge to make shaving easier since I had to nix the bench that was in the original plan.

The tile guy wanted to use three 1/2" pencil liners together instead of the one I had slated, due to spacing/cutting reasons. I was skeptical about the idea at first, but I really like the look.

You might've noticed this odd little wood situation in a previous photo...it's hard to explain, but it will be a window ledge and towel storage area. The structure actually covers a mixing valve that was left exposed after I changed the plan and added the square footage from the garage, so we had to get creative. Despite how it looks in this photo, it will turn out well in the end...I hope :)

And finally, here are some shots of the herringbone Carrara floor that I took before it got covered up (and before it was grouted)...

This shot also shows the laundry area. The stacked washer and dryer will go in the slot on the left and the cabinetry will serve as laundry command central with its hampers, folding counter, supply storage, and drawers (where I'm planning to keep socks, underwear, etc. so that it gets folded and put away all in the same space).

So, despite the fact that we are on the downhill, I still have a couple of decisions to make. First, I need to pick paint colors...specifically, colors for the walls, trim, and cabinetry need to be selected. In all likelihood, the trim and the cabinetry will both be a warm white like the existing vanity. But I am hesitant to be that boring, so my husband and I have been throwing around the idea of doing something more dramatic and interesting. Glossy black is definitely on the table...not that black is wild and crazy!

The next thing I need to pick is shower door hardware. I'm planning to use a towel bar on the exterior and I'm thinking that I want a simple knob on the interior. The alternative to the knob is a handle which isn't a bad option, just not sure I want that much going on visually. One of the companies that I'm looking at is Portals and I like the Overture I and Overture II sets in the polished nickel finish. Here are images of the former...

And finally, door hardware for the entry doors and the WC door needs to be picked and purchased. There are a few options I'm loving, including the glass beauty below from Merlin Glass. But I might stay away from glass because it's already being used for the cabinet door knobs. I'll post separately about hardware musings - that is a whole new topic.

Well, that's a fairly comprehensive snapshot of the current status. I'm pretty darned ready to wrap the project up because it's really tough to have it on my plate right now. I've been swamped with work and I need to get my own house off my mind so I can focus on my clients' homes. Hopefully, we will continue without any setbacks and it will be all done in the next couple of weeks. My husband and I are soooo looking forward to moving back into our bedroom and putting the new closet and bathroom to use...we desperately need to regain some order in our lives and wardrobes!

Best of the Web: High Street Market

If you haven't shopped High Street Market yet, you probably should get on that. They sell fantastic new and vintage merch and the thing I like best about it is that you can find unique pieces at very reasonable prices. The assortment isn't huge, but there is tons of variety. You'll find furniture, textiles, lighting, hardware, and everything in between. It's also an excellent source for well-priced lampshades, especially black linen drum and rectangular shapes. Here are some selections from their current lineup...

Brass Champagne Bucket - Dragonfly Throw Pillow - Vintage Pair of Side Chairs

Blue Willow Porcelain Tray - Higgins Faceted Table Lamp - Vintage Owl Door Knocker

Herringbone Sisal Runner - Brass Palm Candlesticks - Greek Key Throw Blanket - Vintage Black Chest of Drawers

I'm dying over this 1960s Paul McCobb Credenza...

And to keep you coming back to their site, High Street Market offers a tempting Daily Deal. For example, Monday's deal was a 50% price slash on these super cool Silver Leaf Agate Bookends, which made them only $49.50!

Too many fun goodies, don't you think? I'm obviously a bit fixated on all things brass at the moment! What are your faves?

If you plan on spending lots 'o money at High Street Market, then I advise you to follow proprietress Kelly Robson on Twitter and Facebook because she posts flash promos like free shipping and you won't want to miss out on those!