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UK Family Business
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Free Delivery Over £80
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Next Day Delivery
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Trade Discounts
UK Family Business
Free Delivery Over £80
Next Day Delivery
Trade Discounts
A handle is just a handle, right? Well, not quite — there’s a whole host of different shapes and styles to choose from, each bringing its own personality to a space. Finding the right hardware is all about balancing feel and style. Whether you’re refreshing your kitchen cabinets or upcycling a vintage dresser, you’re going to want to pick your style carefully. We’re of the belief that detail is everything, and we think that the small things are more than worth your time. With that said, here’s a brief guide to some of our favourite handle styles.
A rounded handle gives you something solid and convincing, without sharp edges to catch yourself on. They’re also often used to give a softer, vintage-inspired look, perfect for rustic or cottage-style kitchens. The knob may be perfectly round, as it is in the Layon collection, or more elongated or conical, which gives a slightly more modern feel. We also offer knobs with a more “mushroom” profile, such as in the Calgary and Monmouth collections, which give you a rounded appearance while allowing for a firmer grip and a slightly more contemporary finish. Finally, the Provence collection offers a ridged Queen Anne “Beehive” style, which lends a very classy touch to more imposing pieces of furniture.
A geometric style instantly suggests “contemporary” to us. They’re a sure shorthand for modern and functional, but that doesn’t mean that they’re in any way less interesting. The Art Deco collection boasts a square handle that is every bit as decadent as it is functional for example, while the Windsor knob by Crofts & Assinder will lend a premium, authoritative air to anything it touches. In contrast to this, the Georgia handle is discreet and minimal, designed for an elegant and low-profile finish.
Perfect for larger doors, longer drawers, and for providing more leverage, bar handles also offer some aesthetic cues all of their own. For example, they make the most of horizontal space rather than sticking as proud from the wood, making them more at home in a minimal or modern kitchen. A straight T-bar handle is probably the cleanest and crispest choice, but a more rounded design such as the Marlborough or Layon handle splits the difference and gives you some more decorative options, veering towards a more classic look.
A cup handle is one of the most versatile choices that you can choose. By nature low-profile, they’re perfect for narrower spaces or for a cleaner aesthetic, and provide less of an obstacle for children and animals to hurt themselves on! They come in shorter designs, such as the Bordeaux and Brecon handles, or longer ones like the Georgia, Provence, or the squared-off Art Deco cup handle. Each has their own style, feel and priorities, so offer something different depending on your choice. For a more vintage and ornate feel, a drop handle can be an outstanding choice too, again offering a more flush finish for practicality. Some of our more popular designs in this style include the 1502 drop handle and the elegant Brass Pear Drop.
While knobs and handles are all about function first and foremost, we quite simply wouldn’t be in business if design and aesthetics had nothing to do with it! Choosing the right style and type is crucial to achieving the final design effect you envisage. If you’re aiming for a classic cottage or country kitchen, you’ll want more ornate designs or more prominent hardware. If you’re in a modern condominium with a smaller kitchen footprint, you’ll likely want to maximise that space with low-profile bar handles. You can also use your choice of hardware to help you totally reimagine a certain piece of furniture, or if you’re redecorating, the feel of the entire space. In truth, these design choices are guidelines and tendencies, and there is simply no substitute for the expert eye of personal taste. We encourage you to look closely at our range, imagine what might work, then dig deep into the imagination to see what might fit perfectly in your own space.
