Phone: 07919 448240
Phone: 07919 448240
It is terribly easy to be caught out by ironmongery. Not only because it a decision that can often be left to the end of the project (“one final question, what handles do you want on your new cupboard?”) asks your joiner whilst the first of his tools are loaded back into his van) but also because it makes such a big difference not just to the way your home looks but also to how it functions.
As an example, I think a good door handle elevates a basic door to a higher level but the question is, what makes a good door handle good? Well, firstly it should look comfortable within the design of your house; it should be beautiful in itself, not too obvious but certainly not bland. Alongside that, it should feel good and solid when you use it; it must function well and you want it to be robust as it will get used all the time, particularly if your household is partial to a good door slam (I don’t recommend it, but I will say it is therapeutic). The selection of a good door handle is not to be underestimated.
The other issue is that there is more ironmongery in your home that you would first imagine – there are the obvious door handles and window catches; there are also hinges, hooks, locks, furniture handles and door stops. There are then, I hate to tell you, all sorts of items that you may not have known existed (or indeed that you want and need) until you come across a brilliant ironmongery supplier. I spent quite some time wondering round my house wondering where I could put a skiffer, once I had discovered its existence - it is a skirting board corner protector and it turns out, there are some very lovely ones out there.
One truism that I think applies is that ironmongery should be both beautiful and useful – one or the other really isn’t enough. I did eventually give up on my skiffer search because I just couldn’t find a corner that particularly needed protecting and I feared that without an obvious purpose, it would look like rather an odd ornament. It needed the turn in a narrow corridor or the newel post of a staircase to give it credibility and so I rather ruefully concluded that I had no real need for a skiffer. I think what makes good ironmongery marvellous is an obvious purpose.
Once you have identified your needs, the joy of finding the right items can begin. As ever with interiors, there are no hard and fast rules however I think that if you have found the style that you like for your home, your ironmongery will follow that lead. If your home is contemporary and minimal, the chances are that you will be looking for items that have clean lines; if you like a bit of clutter and ornament, you will probably enjoy more decorative ironmongery. The key is to give it proper consideration so you don’t end up with something selected from a range of things offered by the joiner or furniture maker that aren’t to your taste.
It may be good or bad news, depending on how you view it, but there is a world of ironmongery options out there. Not only are there endless different metal finishes, there are also numerous other finishes that can do the job just as well including wood, ceramic, glass, paint, plastic (not all horrible), Bakerlite (both old and new) and many others. There are also lots of antique fittings which can be lovely and the recycling element adds to the feel-good factor. However, just be careful that they do work well (and many do) before committing to them and make sure you have a good fitter to fit them. This is true for all ironmongery but I think especially for anything that is has had a previous existence – trust me, you will go off any doorknob that constantly jams or falls off, however beautiful it is.
One question I am asked a lot is whether finishes all need to match (this question often comes up in bathroom design where there are a lot of metal elements in a small area but that is for another time) and I think the answer depends enormously on the interior style you are trying to create. What I do think is important is that the elements you choose look well curated and sit comfortably with each other, as well as with the item it is attached to (door, window, skirting board). Items with a different style or finish can very happily work together but if the finished effect looks like a jumble, you are probably not going to love it.
And while we are thinking about elements working together, remember the number of items you need when you are selecting the style. This is particularly true on cabinetry – a kitchen or a dressing room, for example, may need a lot of handles used in close proximity. This consideration isn’t just a matter of cost, one handle on its own may look lovely but several used together can create an altogether different look.
If you haven’t got decision overload, can I finally mention that the positioning of your ironmongery is also important. I have had many conversations with joiners about where exactly on a cupboard door the handle should be placed – you wouldn’t think it would make a difference really would you, but I can tell you, feelings run deep. Again, the rule of thumb for placement is so that the selected item of ironmongery both looks and feels comfortable. Easy for me to say I know but make sure you do decide because it will be you that uses it regularly and if it is wrong, you will notice.
You may already be an ironmongery aficionado and if so, you will know the joy and misery of good and poor ironmongery decisions but if not, a wonderful world awaits you. Remember not to compromise on either form or functionality.
© Angel + Blume
