The Jewelry of Cabinets

Here it is, I am not going to deny it any longer: I have an obsession…with jewelry! I love it! From Kendra Scott, Stella & Dot, and even Target. I can't get enough.

Have you ever noticed how one simple pair of earrings can completely change the look of an outfit? Or how a beautiful necklace can take an outfit from drab to FAB? You know what I’m talking about. You put on a cotton shirt and pair it with a blazer, but it doesn’t look quite right. But add a show-stopping necklace, and now you're turning heads!

Source: Vogue

So, while I am confessing...I have another obsession, but I'm not sure it really counts because they're kind of the same thing. The only difference is that I can wear one, and only my cabinets can wear the other. My confession? I love cabinet hardware! After all, it's the jewelry of cabinets!

Think about it for a second: they enhance the way your cabinets look and improve your cabinet’s functionality. That's what I call a win-win. But finding the perfect cabinet hardware can be overwhelming. Do you pick knobs or pulls? Do you stay with the same style for your knobs and pulls? And what about finishes? These are all great questions.

Cabinet hardware complements and completes a kitchen just as jewelry complements and completes an outfit. What are you matching it with? Think about what your lighting is going to be. Are you a trendsetter who can’t wait to get the latest brushed brass style into your luxurious bathroom? Look at this stunning bathroom below, where the hardware complements the framed mirrors, lighting and plumbing fixtures. Simply beautiful. The Shaker-style cabinets with clean lines scream for consistency in hardware. The gorgeous pulls are paired perfectly on both the drawers and doors to complete this bathroom with flair.

Source: Studio M Interior Design

What about knobs versus pulls? What’s the right choice? The general rule of thumb is that a pull goes on a door with a hinge and a drawer with glide. With that said, rules were made to be broken. I mean, we’re wearing white after Labor Day after all. But all jokes aside, it’s your choice. What look do you want to achieve? Pulls on both doors and drawers can be more contemporary, whereas if you follow the rule, you may come across as more transitional or traditional.

The image below is one of my favorites right now. I feel like I’m channeling my inner Joanna Gaines (from HGTV’s Fixer Upper)! This kitchen pairs both knobs and pulls and brought in the finish from the gorgeous window above the sink. It complements the stainless-steel, apron-front sink and plumbing fixture without being matchy-matchy. Rustic-Transitional at its best.

Source: Barbra Bright Design on Houzz

So whether it’s knobs or pulls, satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze, remember this rule when you're finishing your cabinets: don’t forget the jewelry. Happy designing, I know your cabinets will turn out just as beautiful as you!