Cabinet Doors: Hinge Anotomy Overlay vs. Inset Cabinet Hinges

cabinet doorsMeasuring Cabinet Door Overlay

The cabinet door overlay is the distance that the cabinet door extends past the door opening in all four directions in order to cover it. Some cabinet doors show none of the cabinet frame, others will have a good amount of distance. However, this distance may not be exactly equal on all four sides. So in order to accurately measure this…

  1. Close the cabinet doors.
  2. Use a pencil to make a light mark on the cabinet frame using the edge of the door as your guide. Make sure you do this on the hinge side of the door. If you’d rather not use a pencil, a piece of tape will also work. Just make sure the tape is lined up well.
  3. Open the door and measure from the mark over to the edge of the face frame.

This measurement is normally in the range of 1/4″ to 1-1/2″, and anything significantly larger or smaller than that, then you are probably measuring the wrong part of the frame.

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Caring for Decorative Hardware — General Tips

Caring for decorative hardwareCaring for decorative hardware should provide our customers with years of beauty. Most modern day finishes should last a lifetime with the proper care and maintenance.  However, keep in mind all hardware surfaces are “stain resistant,” not “stain proof.” The sooner stains and grease receive attention the easier they are to remove. Stains can set over time if they are allowed to settle penetrate into the surface of protective coating.

Do’s

  • Dry surfaces immediately with a soft, lint-free cotton cloth.
  • Use a soft, lint-free cotton cloth dampened with a mild detergent or soap, and warm water.
  • Keep sharp items, such as knives, away from hardware. Dropping a knife and having it hit your hardware can cause scratches and dings.
  • Use care when opening drawers and cabinets using a pull or knob. Most decorative hardware just requires you to place your fingertips behind the hardware and pull. You should not have to grab the pull and yank on it. Not only does tugging on the pull cause unnecessary strain, but the oils from your hands can damage the hardware over time. While it sounds a bit silly, caring for decorative hardware requires you to keep

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10 Myths about Chandeliers

ChandeliersChandeliers are more often than not thought of as a luxury, reserved for the wealthy and used only in large homes and upscale venues. However, these are misconceptions that we will unravel along with other false ideas in the following ten myths about chandeliers.

1. Chandeliers are too expensive. Chandeliers today are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes, including the popular mini-chandelier. There is certainly one for every taste and budget.

2. Chandeliers are antiquated. The concept of chandeliers certainly came from times long past, when hanging candles from a frame attached to the ceiling provided an excellent means of illumination as well as reducing the fire hazard of candlesticks that could be knocked over. However, nowadays chandeliers range in material and design from every prominent style period and region throughout history. Traditional, crystal and Tuscan chandeliers add class in any setting, whereas modern, contemporary and eclectic varieties will appeal to most every other taste.

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Where to Mount Cabinet Door Handles

Amerock Cabinet HardwareA simple way to change the look of existing cabinets and drawers is to add decorative knobs and handles. With the wide assortment of materials, designs and sizes available, it is an easy task to find the appropriate hardware that not only adds functionality to the storage area, but will add complement the décor of the room and reflect personal style. Often the proper choice of hardware can be used to pull several elements together to give the impression of a professionally decorated room.

Choosing the right knobs and handles is not the only area where personal style is displayed. Determining the placement can also be a big part not only of functionality, but of design.

You can mount cabinet hardware either horizontally or vertically. Some people choose to install a handle or pull horizontally on drawers and place the same hardware fixture vertically on the cabinet.

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Replacing Old Discontinued Furniture Hardware

When a piece of hardware on a cherished piece of furniture breaks the first thought is to try to replace it with a matching piece of hardware that will be consistent with the wear of the remaining hardware. Many people have luck locating the perfect piece of hardware through collectors, but it is a time consuming process.

Attempting to replace all of the hardware on the piece of furniture can also cause a problem if the hardware is discontinued. With luck and perseverance, the replacement for the original hardware can be located through the original seller or manufacturer, but it cannot be expected that they have ample storage space to stock discontinued items.

Luckily, the availability of new hardware that will compliment the discontinued piece of furniture can be found because of the popularity of reproduction hardware. This makes it easy to match the new hardware design with the manufacture era of the piece of furniture.

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Difference in Crystal Quality

Crystal Quality HardwareWhen looking for an elegant way to dress up wooden doors, drawers or cabinets, explore the possibilities offered with glass and crystal knobs, and handles.

Crystal quality is usually determined by the amount of lead that is used in the manufacture of the handle, knob or pull. Crystal is described as full lead crystal if it consists of 23% lead. The light that comes through makes it glisten and picks up color from the light refraction.

Lead crystal with lower lead content doesn’t refract the light in the same way, so the colors and sparkle of the sunlight in the crystal quality are diminished slightly, though still beautiful.

High lead crystal is easier to cut than lower lead crystal because it is softer. The high lead content crystal is also easier to decorate. If crystal is manufactured with less than 23% lead, it is considered a standard crystal.

Glass manufactured with minute lead content is really not considered a crystal product as it is just glass, although designers often use the term crystal when talking about the material.

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Decorating with Cabinet Hardware

Decorating with cabinet hardwareThe purchase of large appliances or other major furniture acquisitions is a big step that takes time and planning. Once the new pieces have been delivered and arranged in the home, it’s often the case that something doesn’t seem quite right.

The discord may be simply that existing hardware doesn’t match the new décor. Luckily, this is an easy problem that can easily be remedied by changing out the existing hardware.

Kitchen cabinet hardware is available in a variety of materials, colors and finishes to complete the look that new appliances give a room. If the existing cabinet hardware doesn’t complement the new stainless steel appliances, simply change them out. You don’t have to choose stainless steel hardware in the same finish, although that would be perfectly suitable. Instead, you can choose a material or design that draws from the overall theme of the kitchen because the stainless steel appliances are neutral.

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Choosing Hardware from the Same Collection and Manufacturer to Assure Color Consistency

Many people who are doing large renovations or building projects with multiple pieces of the exact same hardware are often surprised to see a slight difference in color or finish when the pieces are unwrapped and placed side by side. The differences in color are usually not enough to be noticeable once the hardware is installed over a wider area as they are when they are in such close proximity.

In fact, in most cases the differences are so slight that no one but the handy man ever notices. But to a perfectionist, once the differentiation is observed, it presents a distraction that soon can lead to overall dissatisfaction with the result of the entire project.

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All About Door Hardware

Door Hardware

Door knobs and levers are chosen for specific applications and for functionality. With the options available on the market today, décor, safety and functionality can all be combined in the perfect choice.

If you haven’t heard of pocket door hardware, this may interest you. This door hardware allows the door to slide into the wall rather than open front to back. This is ideal for smaller rooms or hallways that would be cramped by a swinging door. When installed properly these doors are very unobtrusive and appear to simply be part of the wall when closed.

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Add a Touch of Style with Decorative Hardware

Decorative Hardware When you want to add a touch of style to your kitchen or bathroom, installing decorative cabinet hardware can really make a difference. From polished brass or stainless steel to crystal and glass handles and knobs, it is quite easy to give the whole room a fresh, decorative look by incorporating different cabinet hardware. Imagine a kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The stainless steel can cause even rich wood cabinets and drawers to feel cold and stark. But when you add elegant rich gold tone cabinet handles and knobs you are adding a touch of warmth and richness to the room. 

The same can be done in a modern black kitchen. Black cabinets look wonderful with stainless steel handles, intricate antiqued knobs and other stylish touches that you can add, and are sure to make a statement. Bathrooms are another place in the home where cabinet hardware can make a huge difference in the feel of the room. For example if you have a pastel colored bathroom with light airy colors you can easily find simple decorative pull handles for your drawers and cabinets. 

If you have an opulent luxurious bathroom with rich colors like burgundy and gold, you can also find gold toned or brushed brass cabinet hardware to complete the look. The bathroom also offers many other decorative hardware options including towel racks and shower door handles. It is easy to add a touch of class to any color scheme or design by using decorative cabinet hardware.

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