A Fresh Face To Your Home

New Hardware

ADDS A FRESH FACE TO YOUR HOME

By Beth Anne Brink-Cox, House and Home Writer

When you think of home renovations, you might think of things such as new carpet, paint or wall coverings. What if that’s more than you want to tackle or maybe even more than you want to spend just now? But a fresh look is always uplifting, so what will you do?

Hardware. New interior hardware can be one of the easiest face-lifts.

What are the latest trends in interior hardware? Christine Doncaster of Doncaster Flooring and Design, Mishawaka, knows. “What I have seen is simple finishes of deep gold or black. Everyone, whether building or remodeling, should consider adding nice hardware for a decorative finishing touch. Like jewelry, so to speak,” she stated.

What’s the biggest reason clients choose to install new hardware? Is it to update their home or, perhaps, restore it to an earlier time, in keeping with the period of the house?

Doncaster said, “It’s really a personal taste. Is the home traditional, modern, farmhouse/ boho chic style? You want to complement the cabinets.” She went on to say, “People are keeping it simple by using the hardware as an accent piece.”

You might think of hardware as mostly doorknobs, hinges and drawer pulls. But Doncaster said, you can freshen the kitchen by adding a backsplash or changing light fixtures to match faucet finish. “Those are a few things to change it up, as well,” she said.

But can you do this yourself? “As always, we say leave it to the experts. Sometimes, homeowners run into problems and then they end up spending more money. Using a professional means it will get done right and in less time. Keep in mind, though, if the installer is good, you need to check their schedule. They could be booked months in advance. And material has lead times, some of them longer, such as appliances, cabinets and flooring. Due to lead times or holidays, you need to plan ahead and be patient.”

Doncaster added, “Buying cheap products doesn’t necessarily mean quality. Take the time to go to a showroom and talk to a professional. They can help and make sure you’re getting the right product for the right situation. You’ll be happier in the long run.”

Debbie Carpenter, Sweet Water Interiors in Goshen, said, “The biggest trend I currently see is the use of different lengths of handles within the kitchen and bath settings. Many are available in four, six, eight, 10, 18 and 22 inch, depending on the company. In the past we have been accustomed to a drawer having a 4-inch horizontal pull. Today I’ve worked with pulls on a drawer at 10 inches wide and, of course, the selection of the size used should be respective to the scale of the door or drawer.”

Carpenter also said, “The black finish is becoming quite popular along with a newer golden champagne bronze. And most hardware can be installed by the owner. However, with the time involved, many hire it to be done. There is the spacing of existing holes to be considered when selecting new hardware. If they do not match up, they need to be filled and painted or stained. Painted is probably the easiest to cover up.”

So take a little time and poke around with an eye to choosing something new for your home. The possibilities are endless, such as painted porcelain or glass knobs. Maybe a pot filler faucet. Don’t forget to consider light fixtures. The results will delight you every time you look at the changes you’ve made. n

RESOURCES:

Doncaster Flooring and Design, Mishawaka, 574-318-4522, www.doncaster-flooring-design.business.site Sweet Water Interiors, Goshen, 574-534-3989, www.sweetwaterinteriors.com