European Bar Pulls as shoe guards
Category: Cabinet Hardware
Choosing the right kitchen cabinet hardware
So you’re a first-time home owner and you’re renovating your kitchen, installing new cabinets and re-vamping the entire space. Anyone who has ever purchased new kitchen cabinets knows that they rarely come with hardware.
Thus comes the difficult decision of choosing which hardware you would like to go with. Not only are there so many finishes to choose from but, there are many brands, styles, and themes you could go with.
Having a starting point to go by is always key. Ask yourself whether or not you want to stick with a more modern theme or possibly go with a rustic theme.
Modern themes tend to incorporate a more tubular or rectangular shape, although some can be more abstract looking. It is all according to what suits your preference for new kitchen hardware.
Also, don’t be afraid to mix and match different brands of cabinet hardware. Many people decide to choose different brands but keep the finish or theme the same. Cabinet hardware finishes also typically match lighting fixture finishes. While it’s not a necessity, it is something that you may want to consider in order to make sure everything compliments each other.
Another popular trend is matching your cabinet hardware to kitchen appliances. Like brushed nickel or polished nickel. It brings a nice cohesion to your updated space.
No matter what style, finish or theme you decide to go with, remember to have fun and choose something you will love for many years to come in your new home.
Hot New Home Hardware Trends For 2015
Now that 2015 is in full swing, most of us are looking for a fresh new start. Renovations are common place around the start of a new year as new home decor trends start to surface. With that being said, here are some top trends in home hardware for this year.
Brass has made a big comeback, recently. Sticking with a more European but, rustic look.
RK International is one brand among many following suit with this growing trend recently, by introducing their new line of Valencia Bronze pulls and knobs. Bronze has also become prominent in both bathrooms and kitchens as well, from faucets to accent pieces.
Another growing trend is a “worn” or “distressed” look with home hardware pieces.
Again, RK International released a brand new product line of appliance pulls comprised of Worn Nickel.
Most of us are used to seeing brushed, polished or satin finishes so, this is a refreshing look for those of you who want to really stray away from the typical finishes.
Brass
Brass has made its own come back as well. Although many still prefer a more polished brass look, the growing trend seems to be a more rustic or, antique brass finish.
Two-Toned
Appliance pulls with two tones also seems to be gaining popularity as well.
The two contrasting finishes can really be the right hardware piece to make a room or kitchen have that “wow” factor.
Accenting a Room With Cabinet Hardware
When it comes to accenting home furniture with cabinet hardware, you don’t always have to go with the bold and colorful styles and finishes. This is especially true for those of you who have a large sized room with a need for multiple pulls or handles for your furniture. Choosing the right finish and style is imperative for decorating your furniture, without overwhelming a space. If you have light colored furniture, you may want to stick with a lighter finish for your cabinet hardware as well. Polished Nickel, or other nickel finishes tend to be light and blend well with lighter colored furniture. Some people enjoy the contrast between light furniture and darker colored knob or handles. The only problem is that the focus tends to go directly toward the darker colored objects which, takes away from the room’s ambiance on a whole.
If you have darker colored furniture, having a finish that’s not too light but does have a slight contrast works well. Perhaps using a brushed pewter finish or an antique brass finish would work nicely together.
A recent customer of ours submitted a review of a few cabinet pulls they had purchased for their walk-in closet.
The customer raved about cabinet pulls they chose and how each one seemingly disappeared into the space, which is precisely what they were aiming for, to avoid their space looking like a series of ladders.
With the right cabinet pull choices you can truly transform a space into something that doesn’t take away from the other aspects of the room.
5 DIY Christmas gifts using Re-purposed Cabinet Knobs and Pulls
If you go to Etsy’s website, there are a ton of vendors that sell gifts for Christmas, that are actually re-purposed items you can find lying around your own home. Recently, cabinet hardware has become a hot item to re-purpose. Here we have comprised a list of 5 gifts you can make to give to that special someone in your life, this holiday.
1.- Cabinet Knob Bottle Stopper
Did you know you can turn an ordinary wine cork into a decorative bottle stopper with new or old cabinet knobs? You can use whatever type of adhesive you like but, I, myself, am a KrazyGlue kind of girl. I find it gets the job done quickly and efficiently for most mediums used. You can either use cabinet knobs you may have replaced or, you can buy new knobs for relatively cheap.
Crystal door knobs add a really nice, antique touch to the cork.
These make a really great addition to gift baskets, with a touch of creativity.
2.- Cabinet Pull Key holder
Take old or new cabinet pulls and screw them onto a wooden platform or directly into the wall for a quick and creative method for hanging keys.
If your home already has an antique design element , the antique-style pulls will really accentuate the room. Cabinet cup pulls, are also another option to place keys in. The cups will act as a key dish, when flipped upside down.
3.- Tie and Scarf Hanger
I don’t know about you but, I always seem to just toss my scarves into the abyss, aka, my closet. I’ve even started using my jewelry tree as a scarf holder. Of course, this tends to look messy. I thought this idea was brilliant. Take an old or new cabinet pull and screw it into the wall. Voila! Now you have a place to neatlyhang scarves and/or ties.
4.- Coat and Hat Hanger
Most people just hang their coats in their closet but, what does the single person living in a small studio apartment do with no closet space and a room full of coats? Coat hangers seem to be making a popular comeback for many DIY-ers. Especially with all of the cool and creative ways you can make one yourself. All you need is a piece of wood for the backing and some cabinet knobs. Screw the knobs into the wood and screw the wooden backing into the wall. Since there are tons of really cool knobs, you can literally match your knobs to whatever theme your room may be. I personally think crystal and brass knobs on a piece of worn, painted wood looks very artistic and cute.
5.- Mason Jar Travel Mug
Anyone who knows me knows that my love for mason jars continues to grow every day. I love when restaurants utilize them as beer mugs but, the only downside is holding the mason jar without dropping it (especially after a couple of drinks).
That is why this idea is pure genius. Using Gorilla Glue, mason jars and the cabinet pulls of your choice, you can create your own travel mug! After applying the Gorilla Glue to the side of the mason jar, use rubber bands to make sure the cabinet pull really adheres to the glass. Allow time for it to set and dry.
Accenting your kitchen with tiles
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, many of you will probably be looking to renovate kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. A popular and also pretty affordable renovation that I see a lot, are accent tile backsplashes for kitchens. Accent tiles come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and materials. Whatever look you are going for, you can most likely achieve with all of the options out there for you.
Let’s start out with the dimensions of the area you are looking to install the tile on. Making sure you have the right measurements is critical in how the end result will turn out. Next you need to choose which style you would like to go with. There are literally hundreds of textures, materials and patterns you can choose form, depending on what look you are trying to go for. Also, keeping within your budget is always important too.
Tiles usually come in glass, metal, stone, ceramic, porcelain, pebble, marble, granite and also combination materials such as, stone & glass, stone & metal and metal & glass.
Alot of people tend to stick with a certain color theme for their kitchens and bathrooms, which is why tiles can come in so many differently color combinations and styles.
Shown below (left), is a customer’s installation shots from their kitchen. As you can see, they decided to stick with a bronze theme and went with the HotGlass- Aventurine Blended 3/4″ Glass Tile in Black Velvet Blend (HAK-34288). CoolTiles.com has quite the extensive collection of tiles. No matter what you’re looking for, they will most likely have exactly what you want. The site even offers an installation guide for those who are willing to install the tiles themselves. What’s even cooler about these tiles is that, many of them aren’t only meant for kitchens but, can also be used in bathtubs, pools, jacuzzis’, etc. Many of the tiles sold on the site are waterproof, which means you can clean them in order to maintain appearance, without fear of ruining them premarin pills. That is also why glass has become one of the more popular tile choices when choosing a kitchen backsplash. Not only is glass easier to clean, it is also more affordable than some of the other materials out there.
When you do come to the final step of installation, you could do one of two things. Either do it yourself, or have a professional come in and install it. Of course we would all like to think we are handy enough to put up a few tiles but, sometimes hiring someone to do the manual labor for you, ends up saving you the frustration and time in the long run. Remember, there are certain tiles that are easier to install than others. Mosaic tiles come with a mesh backing, making it easier for first time installers. With that being said, good luck and happy decorating!
How To Clean Door Knobs with Different Finishes
It’s that time of year again! The holiday season is now upon us. It is known to many as a joyous time, spent with family and friends. A time for enjoying all that the holiday season has to offer. Unfortunately, it is also now the heart of flu season. But fear not, we have a comprised a list of various ways to clean and disinfect the most prominent area of the house known for passing on germs; Door Knobs!
Today, doorknobs can come in a wide variety of finishes. Everything from brass to nickel, stainless steel, bronze, chrome, painted aluminum and even crystal. Knowing how to clean each of these surfaces efficiently without ruining their finishes, is the tricky part check this site out. Lucky for you, we have researched the various ways that you can effectively clean your door knobs to bring out that original shine, and also disinfect in time for flu season.
Brass
Brass is quite the popular finish and has been around since ancient times. Made of alloy, zinc and copper, brass has been used for various things over the years. Maintaining its popularity are brass door knobs. Since brass is a durable metal, many people choose that over any other finish. Its acoustic properties prevent rust and corrosion. One of the easiest ways to clean and disinfect brass is to use simple items you can usually find sitting around your house. Lemon juice is great for cleaning. Its acidic properties work very quickly in breaking down any dirt and grime build up. The plus side, it smells great too! Another favorite household item that seems to continuously make its rounds in various cleaning articles, is white vinegar. White vinegar is not only a safer alternative to using harsh chemicals but, it leaves brass with a beautiful shine, making it look the same as it did the day you installed your doorknobs.
- Fill a large bowl with 2 parts vinegar and 1 part warm water.
- Let door knob soak for 15 minutes.
- Gently rub with a soft rag.
- Rinse off with warm water and buff dry with a clean rag or cloth.
Nickel
Nickel tends to have green tarnish that can build up on its surface. WD40 comes in handy when handling nickel. Special metal cleaners are also good to use as well. Remember to test small spots out on the surface first, as to assess any damage should there be any.
- Grab some WD40 and fine steel wool.
- Spray a small amount of the WD40 onto the area you want cleaned and apply the wool to the surface, making small circular motions.
If you have thin nickel plating, or are simply afraid of taking the chance using fine steel wool, you can always use our good friend, white vinegar.
- Fill a large bowl with 2 parts vinegar and 1 part warm water.
- Dip a cotton rag into the solution and apply to the knob.
- Use circular motions as with fine steel wool until surface appears cleaner.
- Repeat until desired look is achieved.
If neither of these options work for you, you can always clean your nickel door knobs/handles, with pure ammonia.
- You must use pure ammonia, not the diluted kind.
- Make sure the area in which you are cleaning in, is properly ventilated.
- Pour the Ammonia into a large bowl and submerge the knobs in the solution.
- Leave the knobs in the ammonia the several hours or, overnight depending on preference and type of nickel.
- Upon pulling the knobs out, wipe the dirt and tarnish with a soft cloth under clean, warm water.
Stainless-Steel
Stainless-steel, although beautiful in appearance can be quite a pain in the neck to maintain. Most people don’t realize how often you really should be cleaning stainless-steel household items and appliances.
Cleaning stainless-steel knobs will help protect them and also maintain their appearance. If you have stainless-steel door knobs in your home or office, follow these directions below.
Hardware.com
- Fill a bucket or bowl with warm water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of detergent to the water until suds begin to form.
- Dip a soft rag into the soapy water and squeeze out the excess liquid.
- Wipe knobs with soapy rag until dirt appears to come off.
- Once desired look is achieved, rinse off with warm water and buff dry.
(If you have stains on the steel door knobs, you can use a mild abrasive cleanser on them. )
Chrome
Chrome is one of those finishes that is really eye-catching. It’s also very easy to get dirty. Because of its smooth surface, chrome tends to show every single smudge,fingerprint and scratch. That’s why it’s important to really maintain it regularly. Luckily, there are many chrome cleaners out right now. A popular favorite is, Mother’s which is actually meant for chrome rims but, it will work just as well for your door knob.
Another way to get rid of stubborn stains and dirt on Chrome, is to use baking soda.
- Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and pour into a bowl.
- Add water to the baking soda and mix until it forms a paste-like solution.
- Next, take either a rag or a soft-bristled tooth brush and gently rub the surface of the chrome.
- Gently rinse off the baking soda with clean, warm water.
- Wipe dry with a micro-fiber cloth.
If you’re looking to clean and sanitize your chrome knob remember, you can wipe down the knob with vinegar and water as a finishing product.
Black Matte Coated
Black Matte Coated door knobs are typically comprised of either a zinc alloy metal or solid brass as a base, which is then plated with the black matte finish. A protective lacquer is then applied in order to preserve the black matte finish.
Because of its delicate composition, only mild soap and water can be used on these door knobs.
- Mix two parts of mild detergent with warm water (You can use antibacterial soap if you wish to disinfect, as well).
- Take a soft cloth or rag and submerge into the detergent solution. Make sure to ring out any excess liquid, as to not saturate the knob.
- When finished removing dirt and disinfecting the knob, take a clean, damp cloth and wipe clean.
- Dry with a soft, clean cloth or rag.
Crystal
Crystal door knobs are very popular, and very beautiful if you can afford them. Like anything else, with beauty comes a price. Crystal is a magnet for dust but, what makes crystal tricky, are the translucent properties which make it difficult to really ascertain the level of dirtiness. Crystal is also very delicate. Much like the black matte coated knob previously discussed, crystal needs to be cleaned with a mild detergent or white vinegar. You can combine both solutions together in a bowl, in order to get that shine you desire. Since crystal mimics glass, vinegar is the better choice for cleaning/sanitizing the knob. White vinegar eliminates streaking and water spots which is why it is also a great solution for cleaning mirrors and glass tables.
- Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of detergent.
- Add 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar.
- Use a lint-free cloth and submerge into the solution (you can also use a baby’s bottle brush).
- Rinse clean with warm water and pat dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Well, now you know how to disinfect and remove dirt, safely from each finish.
–Happy Cleaning!
Transforming Your Child's Bedroom on a Budget
Courtesy of Twincitiesremodeler.com
We have all seen those extravagant bedrooms for children, whether it be on Pinterest or other home-decor blog sites. They are literally what dreams are made of. Pictured above, is a pirate-themed bedroom. As you can see from the pictures, the creator of this fabulous bedroom utilized faux brick, for the sides underneath the draw-bridge. The pirate ship itself is made of stained wood, as is the draw-bridge. The ceiling was painted in mural-like fashion, while the walls have sea-life decals.
For us common folk, this bedroom seems impossible to create, right? Well, what if I told you that you could achieve a more affordable, under-water themed bedroom? Even though a pirate ship is seemingly impossible to incorporate into your child’s bedroom, it doesn’t mean you can’t try to get as close to an underwater fantasy world as possible.
Let’s start off with the basics. The first step you would need to take is painting over the bedroom walls. The blue pictured above is a nice color to go with or, you could go with a different hue, based off of what you think would best fits your child’s bedroom.
Next, we have the wall decals. After doing a little research of my own, I came across a handful of websites that carry a multitude of wall decals. First on my list, is AllPosters.com. They carry quite a few marine decals, specifically geared towards children’s bedrooms. I’ve used them in the past for many things therefore, I’m a big fan. All orders come in a timely fashion and are packaged nicely as well. The only downside is that, their marine decals are a little more flat with a cartoon look and feel. If your child is out of that Sponge-Bob phase, I would suggest venturing onto the next site on my list.
WallDecorshops.com has many wall decals to choose from. Sticking with our subject, they have really great marine life decals, all highly-detailed. Depending on what you are specifically looking for, this site has a good variety of die-cut adhesive decals. I would also like to warn you that, walldecorshops.com get a little pricey. I’m not sure if I would necessarily pay $40.00-$100.00 for a dolphin’s face, unless of course it sang me the Flipper theme song.
Which brings me to my third site on the list. WallStickerOutlet.com, is one of the better sources for this specific theme. The wall decals on this site are a pretty close match to those pictured above in the pirate room. The best part is the price of the decals featured onWallStickerOutlet.com With each order you receive 4 sheets of 10×18 inch decals. Not only that but, shipping is free for those in the U.S.
So now we have our wall colors down and our decals to really bring the pirate/nautical theme to life. What’s next? Well, since we can’t build a pirate ship, we are going to have to improvise here. Rather than throwing out your child’s perfectly good furniture, why not accent it? MyKnobs.com has a variety of knobs and handles for doors, dressers, knight stands, etc. You name it- they supply it. What I like about their website, is how they give the consumer the option to choose a category by theme. This cut the time down for me and enabled me to find what I was looking for rather quickly. I will say, I am actually a bit surprised that most of the other websites that manufacture specialty home hardware/decor items, lack this feature on their websites. Anyway, getting back to accenting our furniture– I found a wide variety of specialty cabinet hardware to accent the room. There’s a nautical category which carries knobs that range from pewter to antique brass, brushed chrome and many other finishes. The price range can vary, usually from $3.00- $15.00 per knob.
Next comes the switch plates. Opting for a more decorative switch plate is honestly, a great way to spruce up a room and add a nice accent to your theme. I’m going to go ahead and group switch plates and lamps into the same category. SwitchPlateGallery.com has some really cute switch plates to match the nautical theme. They’re relatively cheap, ranging anywhere from $3.00-$5.00 on their site.
So now we venture on to lighting. The complexity of what you are looking for will certainly impact the pricing range. Unfortunately, lighting in general isn’t cheap. Whether we are talking about floor lamps, desk lamps or chandeliers, they are all going to cost you a decent amount of money but, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank in order to achieve your end goal. I stumbled upon a site called Bellacor.com They have really beautiful lighting fixtures. Relating to our theme, they do have some pretty cool coral lamps, comprised of resin material. The website’s price has it listed at $127.46, which is actually on sale right now for the upcoming holiday.
Another accent you can add to your child’s bedroom is a bedspread, throw cover, or a duvet. Of course every child would love to have a race car bed or something resembling a pirate ship, we all were there once. Unfortunately, specialty beds like that can really run up the bill of redecorating a room. What I did for a tropical themed kids room, was research specialty comforters and bedspreads. I ended up finding a retailer that shipped directly from Hawaii. The bedspread was really affordable and was also reversible! Houzz.com, had a really cute duvet cover. It’s a little pricey but, it’s worth it for the amount of money you save in total for renovating your child’s bedroom. I also came across many others, ranging from the hyper-realistic to a more flatter, vector-themed style. When choosing a bedspread it’s all about personal taste, comfort and also, affordability.
Adding all of these accent pieces to your child’s bedroom will really transform the space tremendously. If you find decorations that fit the theme you are going for, then by all means, add it to your room.
Good Luck and Happy Decorating!
Brass Cabinet Hardware: Our Most Popular Items
In recent years brass cabinet hardware has become increasingly popular. We at MyKnobs.com have seen some of the most popular home decor and lifestyle bloggers picking up pieces to redo everything from dressers to kitchen cabinets. Here are some of our most popular products, although you can find more brass cabinet hardware on our site.
Lewis Dolin Brass Cabinet Hardware Bar Pulls
The pulls from this collection, particularly the brass ones, have been incredibly popular lately. Popular bloggers have featured the homes in their homes lately, making it especially hard to keep these in stock! It’s understandable why these pieces are so well loved though. Sleek, elegant and sturdy, these pulls fit nearly every home’s decor. We especially love how they look against white cabinets, adding a pop of color and interest to your cabinets.
Colonial Bronze Pull 3″ ( 76mm ) Centers
These pulls in matte satin brass are a bit more subtle than the Lewis Dolin pulls but still very striking. These pulls come in a matte satin brass finish and are hand-finished to perfection.
Continue reading “Brass Cabinet Hardware: Our Most Popular Items”
5 DIY Things You Can Do With Old Cabinet Knobs
If you’ve recently replaced your cabinet hardware, you’ve probably got a lot of old cabinet hardware laying around. You don’t have to just throw it out, there are plenty of things you can do with it. If your cabinet knobs are attractive and still work properly, you can use these old knobs for a myriad of different home improvement projects. For the crafty types, here are a five things you can do with your old cabinet knobs rather than throwing them out.
1. Use them as jewelry hangers. Install them in a row on a plank or attach them directly to a wall. To do this, screw a hanger bolt into the cabinet knob. You can then screw that directly into the wall. Hang necklaces, purses or even clothing items from the knobs. This is a quick and easy DIY project that has a lot of impact for a room. If the knobs don’t match your decor, paint them a color that will work for the room.
2. Add knob feet to a simple wooden tray. If you need to, replace the screws in the knobs with longer ones. Then you just have to simply screw the knobs into the bottom of the tray. You can paint over the surface of the tray if you don’t like the look of the exposed bolts. The tray can be used as a serving tray for an elegant breakfast in bed, or it can be placed on a table and hold candles, a flower vase or other decorative items.
3. Use them as towel hangers in the bathroom. If you don’t want a traditional towel bar or towel hooks, using cabinet knobs is a pretty glamorous way to hang up your towels. Place them on the way as you would for the jewelry hangers in step 1.
4. Screw old cabinet knobs into the lids of cleaned out pickle or spaghetti sauce jar lids. You can decorate the jars anyway you see fit and store hair accessories, snacks, pet treats, or anything else that will fit. This is a nice little decorative piece that will look lovely on your counters.
5. Hang wire shelving units from them for more wall storage. To do this you’ll have to attach a #8-32 hanger screw to the knob and screw it into a stud. Likely these shelves will be holding some weight, so don’t just place it anywhere on the wall. This is a great idea for a shower area that doesn’t have any shelves, or for a kitchen to store spices.