Kitchen Design – French Country Cabinet Knobs

 

 

By Jonathan Brice

 

When it comes to kitchen design, the possibilities are virtually endless. There are no rules when it comes to redecorating your kitchen, but for some, there are budget restrictions. Many people think that in order to update your current kitchen design, you have to spend a fortune. This is a common misconception. There are plenty of subtle changes you can make in your kitchen that will make a big impact on both your kitchen design and your home that cost much less than a large remodel would. Sometimes a remodel isn’t about hiring outside labor, replacing large appliances, and buying new furniture. Often, there are alternate routes that will save you time and money.

One quick and easy way to update the look of your kitchen is to place some focus on cabinet refacing. The cabinets in your kitchen are a major focal point. Falling directly at eye level, they are typically the first thing that people will notice upon entering the room. Major details on each and every cabinet in your kitchen are cabinet knobs. These small assets are much more important than most people think. The entire look of your cabinets can be greatly affected by just a simple change in cabinet hardware. This, in turn, triggers somewhat of a chain reaction since the result of new looking cabinets is a new looking kitchen.

 A fresh, yet traditional style that can be found in many kitchens right now is a French country décor theme. If you’re looking to accomplish this style in your kitchen, don’t let your head start tallying up dollar signs just yet. French country cabinet knobs place an elegant and professional touch on your French country décor without forcing you to spend unnecessary dollars. Instead of cluttering your kitchen with decorative accessories like vases and knickknacks, take a look at vital aspects of the kitchen and put a decorative twist on them. Cabinet knobs are already in your space, and absolutely essential in order for your kitchen to be fully functional. By replacing current cabinet knobs with French country cabinet knobs, you’ve easily updated the look of your kitchen without cluttering your space.

French country décor focuses on a warm and welcoming theme. Kitchens are becoming more and more of a focal point in the home, so this is certainly a theme that can be worked into any style you may currently have. French country décor can be easily matched with a number of different wood finishes, so replacing just the cabinet knobs won’t result in replacing the cabinets themselves. This not only saves you a great amount of money, but the time it takes to finish this project will be remarkably shorter than it would be if you were to take on a full scale remodel.

Delicate details worked into the different elements of a French country designed kitchen, like cabinet knobs, add subtle features that will give your kitchen some extra pizzazz. Another great aspect of installing French country cabinet knobs instead of redoing your entire kitchen is that the process is so quick and easy. You’ll need very few tools, and the job will take just a few hours – including set up and clean up. If you’re entertaining soon and are looking for a quick fix to give your kitchen the update it needs, you can’t get any simpler than a cabinet refacing project.

 By keeping your kitchen up to date with traditional themes that will give guests the welcoming feeling they should have when entering your kitchen, your home can reach its maximum potential. Adding French country décor into your kitchen through small details like cabinet knobs could be all the change your room needs. By taking every aspect of your kitchen into consideration when thinking about a redesign, you could save precious time and money in the long run

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Cabinet Knobs Can Invigorate Your Space in a Flash

By J Richardson

 

Are you tired of your plain, dull design in your bathroom, bedrooms or kitchen? With the continually downward slump of the economy, you probably think you cannot possibly afford a home renovation project. But what many homeowners do not realize is that – yes – a home renovation project can be affordable and spice up the design of your room instantly! Don’t believe it? By simply updating your old, worn cabinet knobs, you can transform any design from boring to beautiful.

Gather Your Tools
Unlike most home hardware installations, replacing your knobs and pulls in any room does not require the help of an experienced professional. Count that as money well saved already! Plus, this project requires minimal tools and minimal effort – it is so easy, even your children can help you. Prior to beginning your new project, be sure to have the following tools on hand:

  – Tape measure
– Pencils
– Cabinet pulls, knobs, or handles
– Matching screws and hinges
– Screwdriver

Get Rid of the Old Stuff
With these tools on hand, you are now ready to remove your old hardware. Be sure to unscrew each cabinet knob entirely before removing so that you do not cause accidental or unnecessary damage to the wood or plastic cabinet front piece. Before you throw these items into the trash, however, consider donating them to another home (if they are in good condition, of course). If you are not prepared to host a yard sale, auction them off online on eBay.com or even craigslist.org; your home renovation project just might inspire another family to update their cabinets with your trash-turned-treasure.

Shop Around for Sizes
Now is your chance to update the out-dated décor with new bathroom cabinet knobs (or any room, really). Consider what size handles, knobs and pulls you already have in your bathroom. Are some drawers harder to open, certain cabinet handles harder to grasp? Changing the size of your cabinet hardware might make life easier. But before you purchase tons of hardware in one size, you should buy a few various sizes to test out just in case. Larger sized cabinet handles in close proximity with one another could end up just cluttering an area and not making it any easier, such as in your kitchen.

Create a Colorful Effect
Once you have decided on what sizes work best for which locations, you should also consider changing the color or finish of your kitchen cabinet knobs. Traditional cabinet knobs are available in a variety of finishes such as oil rubbed, satin, matte, weathered and polished. Additionally, each knob can be of a different metal such as chrome, brass, iron, pewter, nickel, bronze and copper. For the bold homeowner, try mixing and matching to create a unique look in your home.

Try a New Style Combination
Replacing your cabinet knobs does not just include removing and installing fresh, new knobs but rather creating a new look and feel. One contemporary renovation style includes mixing cabinet knobs according to the layout of the room. Cabinets and drawers below the waist are adorned with darkest finishes-such as matte nickels or bronzes. Next, mid to waist level drawers feature a lighter shade of handles like a copper or brass with a weathered finish. Finally, the highest shelving units and cabinets should feature the lightest colored finishes and metals. Creating this layered look keeps the eye moving upwards; if the look was reversed, the eyes would lock in on the dark finishes at the ceilings and never even glance at the floor-level handles. Remember to purchase corresponding hinges and screws so that your newly renovated area is complete, without mismatching accessories. The easiest way to avoid this decorating disaster is to write down a count of how many cabinets you have, what finishes and what metals; you’ll stay organized and create the flawless look of your cabinetry in any room in your home.

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Cleaning Solutions for Cabinet Hardware

Classic Brass Hyde Park Collection Cabinet Knobs & Pulls

by EHow contributer

Cabinet hardware is to cabinets what jewelry is to an outfit, greatly enhancing the overall look of your cabinets. Over time, however, moisture, dirt and grease take a toll on your cabinet hardware. A few simple cleaning solutions for cabinet hardware and some elbow grease make cleaning a snap and will even extend its useful life.

 

Prepare

1. It is important to remove the hardware from the cabinets before you clean it. This is necessary not only to do an effective  job but also because the cleaning products, polish and motion of scrubbing may damage the cabinets. Unscrew and remove all of the cabinet knobs and drawer pulls. Unscrew the hinges and take down the cabinet doors.

Soak

2. Pour some lukewarm water into a bucket and add some mild soap. Soak the cabinet hardware in the soapy water for 30 minutes to an hour. Lightly scrub each individual piece of hardware using a soft bristled brush such as an old toothbrush. Rinse them in warm water and then set them aside to dry. Screw the cabinet hardware back in place and rehang the cabinet doors.

Sealant

3. Today, most cabinet hardware is produced with a coating of protective sealant to prevent abrasion and corrosion. For this reason, you should avoid using harsh metal cleaners or polishes on your cabinet hardware, since it can damage this coating. Provide some extra protection to the metal surface of the hardware by applying the appropriate polish after cleaning hardware, such as brass cleaner for brass knobs.

Copper

4. Over time, copper cabinet hardware will tarnish (oxidize), particularly in moist environments such as bathrooms. In addition to cleaning it as described above, you can restore it to a bright, shiny finish with a few kitchen ingredients. Dissolve 1 tsp. salt in 1/2 cup vinegar, and then stir in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour to form a paste. You can add more flour to thicken the paste. Use a soft, clean cloth to rub the paste on the copper hardware. Rinse it off with warm water and allow the hardware to dry. You can protect the copper surface by applying a commercial copper polish or a lacquer spray.

Maintenance

5. After cleaning cabinet hardware, wipe it on a regular basis using a dry, soft cloth. This prevents the dirt and dust from accumulating, saving you some cleaning time and effort later on. Consistency makes for easy cleaning and maintenance.

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