Alice In Wonderland

I am a lover of movies. Typically, if it's quirky or artsy...I like it. The idea of reading something and turning it into something you can watch just fascinates me. I love a good story, or excellent acting, and I even like special effects. But, my favorite thing off all is cinematography. The way a movie is filmed, the method, technique, type of camera, type of lens, lighting, these all create the "feel" of the movie.

Do you ever see an object that reminds you of something completely different? For example, a pair of shoes that remind you of a car. The two seem completely unrelated, but it might be the lines or curves, etc. I do this all the time. Yes, this is a blog about hardware, so where am I going with this? I've done this with a number of movies and hardware. It usually happens with one piece of hardware that reminds me of a movie and then I go on a hunt to find other pieces that would fit. I've got enough pieces picked out that I might do a series of these, just because they're fun.

First up on the list: Alice In Wonderland.

I chose the Tim Burton version because well, he's Tim Burton and you're bound to get some striking effects with his movies. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, here's some stills to give you an idea of the "feel."








What kind of hardware could possibly remind me of this movie, you say?













See what I mean?

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Cliffside Is Color Crazy!

Cliffside knows what they're doing! They have always had great quality and lots of options for styles and finishes but this year they've started grouping their cabinet hardware by finish as opposed to by design. If you ask me, this makes picking out your hardware much easier.

The thing is, it's your house....you can mix and match styles or go with all of one design. Regardless, you want the finishes on each piece to match. Cliffside has knobs, pulls, hinges, and latches in pretty much every finish.




Flat Black has become quite popular and to be honest, not a lot of manufacturers have this finish in all of the items needed for cabinets. Cliffside has these super cool icebox latches in flat black. Which by the way, are one of my favorite hardware items ever.

They also have cup pulls, knobs, handles, and appliance pulls in 8" and 12" on center.




Polished Nickel is another finish that has become popular. I could probably write five posts about new polished nickel collections and trending styles that feature polished nickel. The knob below is a neat one that they're offering in the Polished Nickel finish.



Cliffside does have your typical finishes; Polished Brass, Antique Brass, Satin Nickel, Polished Chrome and Oil Rubbed Bronze but they also have a few finishes that aren't typical such as Iron and Antique Copper.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Quirky Is The Word Of The Day

We all have our own quirks and silly things about us, some of the items we carry seem to fit in the "quirky" category. Now, I'm not saying they're weird or that you're weird for buying them (okay, maybe one of them is a little weird... I'll leave you to guess which one.) It's just that they don't fit the bill for being conventional.

Check out these cabinet hardware items below. Starting from the top Left is a pull by Notting Hill Hardware. They have an entire series dedicated to labeled pulls such as forks and spoons, but who ever heard of "pieces of string to short to keep?" We all have one of those junk drawers in the kitchen and what a cute way to call something "junk". The Pipe Smoking Frog by Schaub and Company is just comical. I imagine this in a study or den (or some sort of mancave.) This style frog has been around for a while, I can think of one book from childhood that has a frog who's dressed very similarly. Directly next to the frogs feet is a pewter baby face by Soko.....need I say more? OK, fine. This cherub like baby face is made from solid cast bronze and well, it wouldn't go just anywhere in ones home but I'm sure someone could find a spot for it. Perhaps Tim Burton? To the right of the baby face is a faux antler by Wilderness Treasures. These are actually pretty popular here in the Northwest, the best part about these-they're cruelty free. Wilderness Treasures has done a great job in making resin look like the real thing. The Level pull by Lewis Dolin, this is my favorite. Obviously it looks like a real level and measuring tape, and the cool thing is the measurements are correct and the level works. The not so cool thing is that you've got to have level cabinets or anyone can tell. Again, the right place for these and they'd actually be useful. I'd like to have one of these in my craft room. I wouldn't have to search for my ruler ever again.



Quirky doesn't stop in the kitchen, Anne at Home makes some cute hooks that are shaped like cowboy boots. They've even added an extra quirky twist, the boots come as a front half and as a back half like they're growing right out of the wall. The next time you're in a Levi's store, take a look around-you might see some of these.



Moving on to the outside of the house, some people don't like to get as eccentric outside of their home but just in case you're one of them, there's still some pretty fun stuff for the exterior. House Art has come out with some house numbers that come in colors like Miami Mango and Key Lime, they probably wouldn't be so funky in Miami but in Denver they might. Still, in the right setting they're pretty darn cool.



Also, for the outside of your house there's a palm tree door pull from First Impressions (hey, this wouldn't be bad with the colored numbers!) It comes in a frosted white acrylic, but First Impressions can do custom colors too. The Gecko doorbell button by Waterwood Hardware, they've paid great attention to detail and making this critter look pretty realistic. And, I bet you no one else on your block would have the steer head door knocker by JVJ.



Hardware is definitely not boring, and with any one of these pieces you can express your personality. Have fun with the things in your life, be creative, be quirky! Sometimes, it's just a lot easier to go with the flow rather than keep up with the Jones'.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Good Things Come in Small Packages

In today's world of imports and mass production, it's refreshing to see artisans who can make a living doing what they love. At The Hardware Hut, we love to support "The Little Guy" as long as they can produce quality product and stand behind it.

We distribute for some manufacturers on our site, that do just that. Each of these brands are made by Artists either as a full time business or in their spare time and the entire company is run by them and or family/friends. When you order items by them, you're getting an individual miniature work of art.

I'll start with Earth To Peter, ETP is run by a man named Peter Conley who personally designs each piece and fabricates each one. ETP hardware is designed in a manner that embraces the beauty in imperfection and the grace of age. ETP hardware is made from solid pewter that's poured into a mold and every single piece is hand finished before it ships out.



Next up is Roscoe's Expressions, this is a company that uses unfinished wooden knob bases, and hand paints every single item. All of the designs are original to the owner and her daughter. Because every piece is painted as they are ordered, the design will be the same on all of the items but the colors slightly vary from one piece to the next. Roscoe's Expressions is a company that is run solely as a hobby and done for the love of painting.



Keeping along the lines of fun, whimsical, and unique is a company called Stuck Up Knob Company, this little establishment is run by one woman. Each piece is made from ceramic, the glaze is hand painted on the individual items, and fired at the time of order. Ann over at Stuck Up Knob does it all; not only is she the designer of the hardware, she's the artist who glazes, fires, and finishes them, but she also runs the office and ships the product. Talk about Superwoman!



Another colorful company that we carry is called Sietto, the name Sietto is a combination of two Italian words "Solido" meaning solid and "Schietto" meaning straightforward. I think that's fitting name, considering the product. When an order is placed with Sietto they cut the sheets of glass, fire them in a 1500 degree kiln that fuses the layers together, and affix them to their three base choices. There are a number of different styles and textures to choose from in this line so if you're looking to add some personality to your room, this line has it!



Last but certainly not least, is a company called Bright and Thorpe. Bright and Thorpe are based out of Hawaii (lucky ducks!) This is one of the more expensive lines that we carry, but to see these items in person you can tell why. I once spoke to the owner about why her products cost so much and I got a pretty good explanation. She comes up with the designs and takes them locally to a mold maker; the molds that she uses deteriorate slightly over time and lose some of the detail so she makes molds more often than most companies. The mold making process is pretty expensive. Gail at Bright and Thorpe started out as a jewelry maker and needed some hardware for her own home, she decided to make them herself and Bright and Thorpe was born. Each piece has such intricate detail that they truly do look like pieces of jewelry.



As with all handmade products there will be variances from piece to piece and typically there is a longer lead time than most companies, but we all know Rome wasn't built in one day. The outcome can be so much more rewarding than having the same items as everyone else. Purchasing from small companies such as these can even help stimulate our economy.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey July, What's New?

As usual, around here at the Hardware Hut we're busy little bees. So far in the month of July we've added five new Gatco bath hardware collections, two new Schaub and Company cabinet hardware collections, some door locks, some keyboard slides, and some miscellaneous cabinet hardware items. Not only have we added all of that but, we have just started a fairly big project. We will be adding our complete stock catalog to the website. When I say a fairly big project that's actually an understatement. Our stock catalog is roughly 400 pages with five or 6 sku's per page. That's a lot of product! Perhaps, I'll save that for a blog post in itself.

Back to what's new for July...I'll start with the new Gatco bath hardware. We've added the Oldenburg collection which comes in finish choices of burnished bronze, polished chrome, and satin nickel. This style would be suitable in a traditional setting. It looks elegant and rich. We've also added the Jewel collection which is more square in design but it's a soft design. You can get the Jewel collection in satin nickel or polished chrome. Another collection we've added is the Irvine collection, this collection is my personal favorite from the new Gatco items. My own personal tastes are typically more contemporary, but there's something about the shapes on this collection that appeal to me. The Irvine collection comes in burnished bronze, satin nickel, and polished chrome too. We've also added the Philadelphia collection which is another square style but this one has a little more detail to it, and more defined edges. It sort of reminds me of crown molding. The last new collection from Gatco is the Max, the Max collection is the sleek modern look that I like, the robe hook in particular is really cool. This collection reminds me of plumbing parts a little, it's a little bit industrial looking without being "cold."



We've also added a square passage pocket door set by Valli and Valli to match their privacy set. Valli and Valli make some great quality, unique pocket door items and when a privacy set and a passage set are ordered together they can be used on double pocket doors.




We've also added some Schlage commercial locks in oil rubbed bronze. We've carried the Commercial levers in satin chrome and brass for some time, and have finally added the oil rubbed bronze. Schlage's commercial locks come in keyed functions as well as interior functions such as passage and privacy.



And to wrap up this post before it get's too long, is the Schaub and Company Firenza collection. Schaub does a great job of coming up with innovative designs that a lot of other companies try to replicate. They seem to always be ahead of the pack when it comes to styles. The Firenza collection has a hint of old world italian charm. I like the lace-like scroll pattern they've incorporated into the pulls. The Firenza collection comes in three finish choices.



That about sums up the month of July so far. Stay tuned for next months new stuff!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Schaub's Symphony

Schaub & Company has come out with a new line of hardware over the past year called Symphony Designs. I want to mention them just because they are so beautiful. First of all, I want to say that not a single one of these pieces are in my own personal taste (I'm more of a sleek modern kinda girl) but man, these are gorgeous. They're like miniature artworks for your furniture or cabinets. And, just because something isn't my style doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty.

The pieces in the Symphony collection are made on a low volume basis by artisans, so each one is unique. They have very slight variations that make them one of a kind. They feature rare inlaid materials, and all the pieces are individually molded.

There are a few pieces I'll post as examples and of course I'll pick my personal favorites, but you should really check out the rest of the series.


This piece reminds me of something out of the Art Nouveau period, for those art lovers out there the whole Heirloom Treasures collection reminds me of Alphonse Mucha. This pull is made out of solid brass that's been aged with a subtle greenwash. It has two types of Mother of Pearl, Tiger Penshell, and a giant piece of Jade inlaid in the center.



This next piece is a branch pull that comes in a left and a right, and of course at 8" long you can't use a lot of them in one space, but a few would make a pretty big statement. The attention to detail in these is insane, the branches have little grooves that look like real bark, the flowers have tiny veins, and there are real black pearls, and crystals strategically placed on it. I can envision these on a big armoire or hutch.



The octopus is probably my favorite, and I can't pinpoint why other than it just looks really cool. The best part about this piece is the design. The placement of the tentacles is perfect, the eyes are a different color than the body so they stand out, and under the tentacles they even made little indents for the suction things (I know-very technical).



This is another one that I can't say exactly why I like it. The patina is perfect, it looks tangible and soft. This is a piece that just makes you want to touch it. Again, the attention to detail is incredible. It kind of reminds me of a piece cloth that's been rolled instead of a piece of metal. The entire French Court collection has the same soft look.

These are just a few pieces out of the 13 different collections that Schaub & Company for the Symphony Designs series. If you have a minute, you should check out the rest. They truly are magnificent.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Amerock....Ingenious!

Amerock has once again pulled ahead as the industry leader in innovation. Amerock has just come out with some new collections that I think are going to be trend setting.


The first collection is called Blackrock. This collection is unique because it offers standard and over sized knobs in square and round. On the pendant pulls they've engineered and patented the design so that when the bail swings back down it will not hit the cabinet. This collection has clean strong design elements that would compliment a utilitarian galley kitchen or a contemporary cottage and almost any design in between.


The next collection is called Highland Ridge, I have to say that his is probably my new favorite collection. Amerock has managed to take period accurate design elements such as the cabinet latch and exposed screws on the cup pull, and they've paired those with modern finishes and smooth curves to create a unique collection. Highland Ridge is reminiscent of early 20th century kitchen hardware, but it's less utilitarian and more elegant.



Another offering from Amerock that I think will be popular is the Revitalize collection. The name says it all, this collection is a traditional style that has been revitalized. This collection takes typical traditional design elements such as round knobs with grooves and faux backplates and matched them to pulls that have detail but are square in shape. Mixing the two elements still gives the collection a formal, classy feel but not overdone or outdated. It's a collection that is timeless. In the revitalize collection Amerock is introducing Gilded Bronze. A warm golden finish designed to coordinate with the latest in kitchen cabinet, appliances, lighting designs and color palettes.



Last but certainly not least is the Riva collection. If you want dramatic without all the fuss, this collection is it. The Riva collection emphasizes bold crisp lines that accent any modern kitchen. There's no frills or fancy detail on these knobs and pulls, yet with the color choices of Satin Nickel and a new finished called Graphite they'll definitely draw attention. The Urban design is a trend on the rise, suburbanites and small town residents love the look of a mid-city loft. The Riva collection brings the big city to your home.


Not only are these new collections innovative in the style offerings and design themes but Amerock is expanding their size ranges. Starting with these four collections Amerock is offering their pulls in 3in., 3-3/4in., 5in., 6-1/4in., 8in., 12in., and 18in. hole spacing. With the variety of sizes available of the pulls in these collections you can do all of your doors, drawers, over sized drawers, dishwashers, freezers, and refrigerators in matching hardware. You've now got a complete, well designed, put together room to enjoy.

*** For the month of June www.thehardwarehut.com has the new Amerock collections on sale for an extra 10% off our regular price***

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”