
Little things mean a lot. That said, some little things can really still pack a punch. Case in point, the hardware you choose for your kitchen. This one aspect of interior design is easy to overlook if you’re just thinking from the standpoint of function, but taking the extra step to combine sublime form with function always helps take a room’s aesthetic to the next level.
All Eyes on Design
Nothing rivals the kitchen when it comes to gathering space in the home, especially since the advent of the open-plan concept. This change in the way we live and entertain requires that this space be as visually appealing as possible, so the tone conveyed by the hardware you choose should be as distinct as the company you keep.
In upscale kitchens today, cabinetry hardware combined with complementary materials and finishes become the “jewels in the crown” in this most popular room for gathering. In recent years, we’ve seen a proliferation of streamlined bar pulls because they bring that combo of sublime form and pair it with utility and ease of use. Iterations in finishes abound as well, which will keep this particular style at the top of options for the foreseeable future.
The Linden collection by Pottery Barn offers this accommodating modern option made of solid brass that has broad appeal with its range of fine finishes, including satin nickel and antique bronze. Have a modern farmhouse? Try matte black. The collection also includes coordinating knobs in the matching finishes.

Rustic Inspiration
Cup pulls are the timeless statement maker in hardware that help put the exclamation point on a distinctive kitchen or mudroom. This Nostalgic Warehouse pull by Perigold is an optimal choice for its “Let’s-get-to-work, but-let’s-work-beautifully” vibe. Available in nine finishes, and with many other variations in its design, the cup style pull brings it all together for homeowners with impeccable taste who admire quality.

Going Big & Bold with Brass
Durable, easy to care for, and possessing natural anti-microbial properties, solid brass hardware in any style, is a discerning design option. In addition, because it is composed of copper and zinc, it is corrosion-, rust-, and tarnish-resistant. So, perfect for a humid environment like the kitchen and bath.
High-end interiors experts from coast-to-coast are employing bold hardware elements in brass to the most customized of kitchens, and we love, love, love this example by Rejuvenation Hardware that goes a bit beyond bold by layering in specialty brass hardware elements in this luxurious modern kitchen.

Tip: Narrowing Down the Field
Having a hard time narrowing down a hardware selection online? Consider a trip to a showroom so you can spend some quality tactile time with the design options. Get a feel for how the handles operate and work in your hand so you can determine how comfortable and functional it will be over time in your daily scenarios.
In Throwback Mode
For the restoration buffs among us, choosing just the right statement in retro hardware can be a creative and nostalgic journey in making what was once prominent, pertinent again. And nothing captures the luster and appreciation of a by-gone era in home interiors, more than crystal cabinet knobs. This knob from House of Antique Hardware is part of the aptly named Waldorf Collection. This particular manufacturer uses a proprietary process for its new brass hardware that provides a desirable, time-worn patina of authentic antiques that is superior to factory-applied antiquing techniques. It provides the rich, warm yellow tone uniquely associated with vintage finishings.

Boutique Manufacturers
No hum-drummers wanted. Only those who march to their own drummers can truly appreciate the creativity that goes into a custom hardware collection.
1. If opulence is a must for you and you really enjoy putting your stamp on things, the Monogrammed Hardware collection by H. Theophile will help you do just that in an elegant and distinctive fashion. While more appropriate for a bathroom, we couldn’t resist showing you this barrel knob based on a mid-19th century Neo Grec design. It comes in several custom finishes including burnished nickel and antique silver.
2. Specializing in pulls made of modern glass, Sietto sets itself apart in the luxury hardware market for consumers with highly customized interior schemes. Their Glacier collection applies an array of colors to tactile, textured glass.
3. If you are a lover of the natural world, you can easily bring that indoors with offerings from designers like Michael Aram whose handcrafted Butterfly Ginko collection includes hardware pulls of delicate looking intertwined twigs in oxidized brass. Its handcrafted nature ensures that, like snowflakes, no two pulls are exactly the same.

Caring for Your Investment
With a few moments of care every week you will ensure that the look and luster of your hardware will endure for many years to come. Nearly every type of metal employed in the design of hardware responds well to a gentle cleaning using warm water with a mild soap and a soft cloth like microfiber for cleaning. Dust prior to cleaning and then the trick is also dry the hardware by hand with a dry cloth. Otherwise, you may end up with a streaky or spotty surfaces.
Another gentle cleaning option you can try is a solution of white vinegar or lemon juice mixed with water, especially if you have any tarnish you’d like to banish. The standard measure is one Tablespoon of vinegar or juice to 4 cups of water and mixing in a teaspoon of salt.
There are also many commercial cleaners available for every specific type of metal, but most involve cleaning with chemicals and should be used sparingly after consulting the product’s instructions and conducting a “swatch” test on a small, less noticeable part of the hardware first. To avoid scratching, never use harsh cleaners or abrasive tools such as steel wool or scouring pads on metal surfaces.