Friday Favorites: Finishing Touches for the Kitchen
An ideal kitchen is comprised of a variety of elements that are not just pleasing in a decorative sense, but also extremely practical. The very best examples, like the above room designed by McAlpine, Booth & Ferrier, seamlessly blend form and function while also instilling a sense of order; and while the layout, palette, and larger components are obviously key factors, the impact that details like hardware, lighting, and tile can have on a space should not be overlooked.
As Ginny Padua, owner of full-service design center Town & Country Kitchen and Bath in Red Bank, New Jersey, notes, “Hardware is a great way to personalize your space. It is the finishing touch, what makes it special.” Fortunately, there are seemingly endless options, so whatever one’s taste or preferences—sleek and modern, or something slightly more traditional—a hardware match awaits, and for those seeking something they won’t tire of, Padua recommends metals, which she says are “always on trend,” with polished nickel and antique brass being particularly popular at the moment.
“You may not think about the cabinet hardware you select, but these tiny touches can be the jewelry of your home.” —Ginny Padua
Tile is another way to add personality while also being quite practical. Paired with the distinctive lanterns, the backsplash in the above kitchen by Dallas-based Laura Lee Clark takes the all-white kitchen to the next level.
Viewed in detail, the Laura Lee Clark project (top) truly wows. We’re also taken with the gray and white geometric options offered by Chattanooga-based Mission Stone & Tile (above), which would instantly elevate any space.
The kitchen is an excellent place to incorporate an eye-catching modern lighting fixture (or three), as proven by the room designed by Durham-based Heather Garrett Interior Design (top). Those who are unafraid of a little shine might want to consider the Thomas O’ Brien Hicks pendant light available from Chairish in San Francisco (above, right) or a cluster of VISO Bolio pendants, available from Denver’s Mod Livin’.
Industrial-style lighting works well in the kitchen, too, adding a welcome dose of edginess while also being very functional. The fixtures in Jackson, Mississippi-based SummerHouse Interior Design’s Pearl Bluff Cabin project (top) play off of the rustic wood beams and warm copper hood while marrying well with the black cabinetry and accents; Chairish’s large modern pendant (above, left), which measures 19.5ʺ W × 19.5ʺ D × 28.5ʺ H, would look great over a breakfast table; and the Navarre pendant light from Nashville’s Ironware International (above, right), which measures, 54″ L x 40″ (overall) H, would be right at home over a kitchen island.
The experts at Birmingham-based Brandino Brass report that many people seem to be leaning toward kitchen hardware in light bronzes in matte finish, and that unlacquered brass is coming on strong. They also say that clients seem to be getting a little more creative with their use of pulls and knobs, using them interchangeably. Thanks to the above images from their Instagram feed, we can see why—we’re ready to install the unlacquered brass cabinet knobs in our kitchens this weekend! Those who prefer a clean line are in good company too, though, as Brandino also states that modern, longer pulls with a little detail at the foot are very popular as well. The good news is, there’s something out there for everybody, so take time to seek out the touches that will make entering your kitchen feel like a treat.
