Small details define an interior. And leading interior designers and architects instinctively know that hardware, rather than being an afterthought, is an intrinsic part of the architecture of a space. From a classically elegant cupboard knob to an oversized modern handle, proportion, finish and patina all contribute to hardware as an integral architectural element.
Quality you can’t see
Hardware is one of the main components of any scheme that almost everyone interacts with frequently; perhaps multiple times a day. ‘You physically experience the architecture through the hardware, so what matters, perhaps more than anything, is how it feels,’ says Henry Blake co-founder, Jane Kent. ‘Every time you turn a door handle or grasp a cupboard pull, you have an immediate appreciation of how pleasing it is to touch, how well it is made and how efficiently it functions.’ Flimsy, lightweight or poorly made hardware is always disappointing, and detracts from a scheme no matter how beautiful it looks. On the other hand, a reasonably heavy weight, good balance, a naturally cool surface, smooth finishing, precise movement and just the right amount of resistance are all trusted cues that signal high quality, telling you that what you are touching is solid brass, designed with care and crafted using skill and precision engineering. Perhaps more instinctively than consciously, these attributes create confidence that this is something designed not only to look beautiful, but also to perform flawlessly, year after year.
How proportion affects perception
Carefully specified hardware works alongside key features of a scheme to emphasise or alter our perceptions of scale and proportion. Add a pull that is dramatically longer than expected, a handle that is slender yet ergonomic, or a knob that is satisfyingly chunky and oversized: while retaining functionality, the door, drawer or whole run of cabinetry can be subtly changed, given more (or less) weight, made to blend into the background or stand out in striking fashion. Without altering the joinery itself, a longer pull can make a cabinet appear taller, while a horizontal handle can visually stretch the width of a drawer. ‘Another interesting concept is working with negative space,’ says Jane. ‘Adding a small handle to a large door creates a very different feel to a substantial handle that covers more of the surface.’ Proportion can also relate to different architectural periods: a small, decorative piece will emphasise the traditional nature of an interior, and in a modern scheme oversized hardware can become a deliberately contemporary feature. Of course, each item does not usually stand alone. Hardware creates rhythm through repetition, from co-ordinating door handles to a series of drawer pulls, serving as emphasis to architectural features, whether classic or modern.
Finishes that evolve
Just as architecture is designed to last for many years, so premium hardware is chosen with the same intention. How will each piece look and function in ten years, or even fifty? Well made, quality hardware will stand the test of time, while living finishes, as opposed to products that are intended to look identical forever, improve as they age, developing an individual patina that stands as a record of how each knob, handle or pull has been touched, day after day. Stylish without following trends, these pieces demonstrate how every room is lived-in, used and loved, rather than staged. It is a graceful ageing process that is completely natural and tells a story about the home. ‘How the patina develops varies according to how each piece is used,’ says Jane. ‘For character and authenticity over the years, unlacquered brass hardware is the obvious choice.’
Why everything doesn’t have to match
In formal settings, strictly co-ordinating décor can feel elegant and composed but, increasingly, most designers are choosing to mix varying styles, colours and patterns, relating elements in terms of scale, shape and detailing rather than matching them exactly, creating an eclectic effect that suits today’s relaxed interiors. ‘When you are designing this type of scheme, hardware should work with the architecture, joinery, furnishings and other elements, rather than being an isolated product decision,’ says Jane. ‘It’s all about balance, choosing pieces so that they connect rather than clash, and the right hardware can really help pull it together.’ One tried-and-tested approach is to use 60:30:10 proportions, selecting a main colour, pattern or finish, plus a secondary, less dominant one and a third as an intriguing accent. It works because it creates a calm and harmonious effect that is both dynamic and visually coherent. For hardware specifically, it is also worth thinking about how well warm and cool tones (brass and chrome, for example) complement each other, a more sophisticated approach than going by colour alone.
Early specification improves every scheme
Hardware should never be an afterthought. Leaving it until the last minute can limit choices, push up costs and increase the risk of compromises and mistakes. ‘Considering hardware as an architectural decision early in the design process hugely improves the final scheme,’ says Jane. ‘There are numerous technical considerations, from door thickness to the care of different finishes that benefit from early planning, as well as collaboration between the different professionals involved. We offer a personal service for every client, whatever the size of the project, ensuring a streamlined process from budgeting to on-time delivery.’ Ideally, you should specify key elements such as joinery, lighting and architectural hardware simultaneously, ensuring plenty of lead time for bespoke pieces to be drafted, refined and carefully crafted, and resulting in a successful design that feels holistic, looks beautiful and will function perfectly for decades to come.
