Top Knobs - Top Expressions

A Mid-West Kitchen Gets an Industrial Update with Top Knobs

August 19, 2020

Before finding success as an award-winning kitchen designer, Dave McFadden had a long and accomplished career as a mechanical engineer, leading design teams for several electronic manufacturing companies. After changing course to follow his creative passions, McFadden started his own firm, PB Kitchen Design, lending his architectural expertise to clients longing for one-of-a-kind interiors.

Interior Designer Dave McFadden

Based in a small Chicago suburb, McFadden’s artistic style draws upon the surrounding city’s contemporary architecture and blends with the traditions of mid-west homes. It is with this unique approach that he received top honors for an industrial kitchen renovation in Top Knobs inaugural “Design Board Contest”.

With the objective of presenting a designated kitchen space where the homeowners had ample room for meal prepping and entertaining, McFadden and the team at Kubala Washatko Architects based all of their design decisions on creating a space that complemented the home’s existing modern appearance.

Top Knobs Industrial Kitchen Design

“The key to this project was to create a kitchen fitting of a residence with strong industrial aesthetics that works equally well for quick family meals or large gatherings,” said McFadden. “Warm, organic and sturdy materials were specified to enrich the integrity of the design.”

Although the completed space is nothing short of spectacular, McFadden faced a few challenges throughout the design process. The expansive windows above the sink and large hood above the range meant there was limited space for upper cabinets. With a need for additional storage, he was strategic about lower cabinet placement and utilized the expansive island to include 42” cabinets. While the unusually high ceilings could not support optimal lighting, suspended structural beams were installed to create an impressive light fixture.

Top Knobs Industrial Kitchen Design

With the foundation of the kitchen complete, Dave McFadden combined transitional elements and luxurious finishes, to complete the look of this avant-garde kitchen. The floors are composed of polished concrete, stone and wood cladding were used on the walls and Top Knobs Flat Sided pulls in Silicon Bronze Light adorn the cabinets.

Top Knobs Industrial Kitchen Design

View more of Dave McFadden and PB Kitchen Design’s work here:

Website: https://pbkitchendesign.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbkitchendesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastBasketDesign

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/PastBasketDes/boards/

 

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Q & A with Interior Designer Ariana Lovato of Honeycomb Home and Design

June 17, 2020

California based Interior Designer Ariana Lovato has made a big name for herself in the design community. As Owner and Principal of Honeycomb Home Design, she has always had a spark for design and all things creative. Recently named an NKBA 30 under 30 during this year’s KBIS she has a keen understanding of kitchen and bath design and brings a distinguished edge to interior spaces.

Ariana’s talents were on full display in a kitchen renovation that was selected as an honorable mention in Top Knobs’ inaugural Design Board Contest. This dreamy farmhouse kitchen was carefully crafted with love after a fire had destroyed the owner’s original home. We had the opportunity to delve into Ariana’s design decisions, creative inspirations and much more during a special Design Board Member Spotlight Q & A.

TK: Tell us about the kitchen and how it fulfilled your client’s plans for their home.

AL: This was a whole house re-build. We completely redesigned this home from the ground up due to a devastating house fire. My clients are elderly so I worked mostly with their daughter who lives in Houston, TX. We corresponded mostly via Zoom and email to make their decisions. We designed the single level home to accommodate their large family with a big open floor plan, a large kitchen island and butler’s pantry, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and a spacious master bath.

TK: Which Top Knobs hardware did you use for this project?

AL: I used the Ascendra pulls and knobs in Sable in the kitchen and also in Brushed Nickel in the Master Bath.

TK: Tell us what made you choose Top Knobs hardware for this design?

AL: We wanted a sturdy piece of hardware but did not want to compromise on style. I found the Ascendra collection and I fell in love! The Sable finish was the perfect contrast to the white cabinetry in the kitchen. We used the brushed nickel in the master bath against the stained wood cabinetry.

TK: Did you run into any challenges with this specific project?

AL: The plans that my client had drawn up by their previous architect yielded a much more craftsman style home. My client was wanting more of a modern farmhouse style, so we had to make some changes to the exterior and interior as we went. That was challenging, but I think we did a good job of incorporating the touches they were looking for.

TK: We’d love to know more about you and your design firm can you tell us more about your background?

AL: My name is Ariana Lovato, Owner and Principal Designer of Honeycomb Home Design. Honeycomb Home Design is a full-service Interior Design firm located in Pismo Beach, CA. I grew up on the coast and moved to Los Angeles to attend FIDM for Interior Design after high school. I moved back home upon graduating, earning a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of LaVerne, and worked for designers, builders and even in the tech world for a start-up company before branching out on my own in 2016.  I had been moonlighting for a couple years and had a small savings and a whole lot of determination. Design has always been a passion of mine and I love working with my clients and making them happy.  Our design aesthetic is based upon our client’s tastes, but we always try to streamline and modernize finishes to highlight architectural details. Now, we have a team of 3 designers and usually work on about 15-18 projects at one time.

TK: Where do you turn to for new ideas and inspiration?

From other designers. I also love Kelly Wearstler, Vanessa DeLeon and House of Bohn’s work.  I also find inspiration from travel. Earlier this year my trip to Malaga, Spain fueled my passion for handmade tiles!

TK: Which design trends are you most excited about in 2020?

AL: Terrazzo!! It is everywhere right now and I am not mad about it!

TK: What’s the best interior design lesson you have learned?

Pay attention to scale. It’s one of the fundamentals of design but it is so important especially when you are playing with patterns. Also, double-check your measurements. That was not a fun lesson to learn but it had to happen. From a business perspective, I would suggest to hire out the things you are NOT good at (i.e. bookkeeping), but I encourage everyone to know how to read a balance sheet and a profit and loss sheet so they can do their own check-ins.

View more of Ariana Lovato’s work here:

Website: www.honeycombhomedesign.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeycombhomedesign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeycomb_homedesign/ or https://www.instagram.com/ari.lovato_/

Photography provided by Ariana Lovato and Marcel Alain Photography

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

A Ponte Verde, Florida Kitchen Gets a Costal Makeover with the Help of Top Knobs

March 18, 2020

A true interior visionary, Donna Mancini, of Donna Mancini Interiors & Flooring, works meticulously to provide her clients with exceptional design solutions. From consultation to project execution, Mancini has a well-developed understanding and appreciation for beautiful and functional spaces, and the emotions they evoke.

“My background is quite varied with over 30 years of experience in real estate, business, retail sales management, and interior design. Everything I’ve learned over the years has enabled me to bring a unique perspective and skill set to our current business.”

In her latest project, Donna Mancini deployed her talents to update a dysfunctional kitchen for a Ponte Verde, Florida couple who have a strong love of entertaining and cooking for family and friends.

Mancini began the renovation by eliminating two prep islands that did not offer much usable surface space and prevented the kitchen from its full functional potential. After removing both islands, Mancini created one large island that provided more seating, ample surface space and additional storage for her client’s small appliances.

Along the perimeter of the kitchen, Mancini removed the microwave above the stove and opted for a new range hood. The microwave was moved into a much more accessible and convenient location in the lower cabinets. This small change allowed for the addition of upper-stacked cabinetry where the homeowners could showcase their collection of home décor items.

With a new floor plan in place, Donna Mancini began her work refreshing the aesthetic of the kitchen to tie in with the costal décor of the rest of her client’s home. She relied upon her expertise and knowledge of current design trends and new products to lighten up the kitchen’s color palette and brought in texture and warmth with Top Knobs Ascendra pulls in Honey Bronze.

“I’m loving the warm golds, bronzes, and champagnes that are back in a big way,” says Mancini. “We loved the style of the Ascendra pulls for this kitchen! The lines are soft but clean, and the base provided just enough substance while remaining classic and refined. The look we wanted to achieve was coastal-inspired transitional and we thought this choice was perfect.”

Paired with Gray Mist colored cabinets, the Honey Bronze finish added the perfect amount of sophistication for a design Mancini’s clients are now proud to show off to family and friends.

Thank you, Donna Mancini, for choosing Top Knobs and sharing your project with us! For more design inspiration from Donna Mancini Interiors & Flooring, be sure to follow along on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Top Knobs Announces the Winners of the 25th Anniversary Design Board Contest

January 7, 2020

Top Knobs, the leading manufacturer of decorative kitchen and bath hardware, announces the five winners of its inaugural Design Board Contest. Entrants including interior designers, architects and trade professionals, were invited to submit their Top Knobs projects for a chance to win up to $5,000.

The Design Board Contest ran from June 3, 2019, to November 1, 2019, and winners were selected by a panel of design professionals led by Top Knobs President, Warren Ramsland.

“The Design Board Contest has provided our supporters with a platform and community to celebrate, share, and express their extraordinary designs,” says Ramsland. “We are filled with gratitude from the number of responses we received in our first Design Board Contest. To see the unique designs in which Top Knobs has been a part of has truly been an honor.”

Winning Designs

Grand Prize – Dave McFadden, PB Kitchen Design, Geneva, IL

Dave McFadden used the Flat Sided pulls from Top Knobs Aspen II Collection in Brushed Satin Nickel in his kitchen design. McFadden focused on creating a kitchen fit for entertaining while maintaining the industrial aesthetic of the rest of the house.

Second Place – Craig Couture, Cypress Design Co., East Providence, RI

Craig Couture remodeled a 1940s Rhode Island home with the goal of keeping the home’s existing character while creating a functional modern space. In the kitchen, Couture used Knobs and Pulls from Top Knobs Devon Collection in Honey Bronze to add a touch of warmth to the space.

Third Place – Katie Borchardt, Jean Stoffer Design, Chicago, IL

Katie Borchardt was tasked with creating a custom kitchen that was both elegant and functional for her client. Borchardt used the Rounded Pulls, Round Knobs, and Oval Knob Backplate from Top Knobs Aspen Collection in Light Bronze to harmonize the kitchen’s two-toned cabinet design.

Honorable Mention – Ariana Lovato, Honeycomb, Home Design, Arroyo Grande, CA

Ariana Lovato designed the home of her client’s dreams after a fire destroyed their previous home. With a modern farmhouse aesthetic in mind, Lovato opted for the Ascendra Knobs and Pulls from Top Knobs Transcend Collection in flat black to help bring the rustic design scheme into the kitchen.

 

Honorable Mention – Meadowcreek Builders, Inc., Waukesha, WI

The team at Meadowcreek Builders, Inc. transformed a dark and dated kitchen complete with an adjoining dining area into a bright and spacious retreat for their clients to enjoy. They used Top Knobs Somerset Weston Pulls and London Knobs in Old English Copper to add contrast and texture to the space.

Click here to view the full image gallery of the winning designs.

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest

Top Knobs Guide to Decorative Hardware Size Selection

November 13, 2019

Choosing the right decorative hardware for your cabinets requires a balance between functionality and style. The knobs and pulls you select will effortlessly tie your space together when coordinated with the relative scale of your cabinet doors and drawers. But how do you decide on the proper size of hardware to use?

While there are no strict rules to follow, the number of options can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why Top Knobs has created a comprehensive guide to ensure your hardware perfectly pairs with your cabinetry.

Before pulling out your measuring tape, it’s important to note some key terms when it comes to measuring knobs and pulls:

  • Overall Length: The distance from one end of the pull to the other end
  • Center-to-Center: The industry standard for measuring pulls, the distance from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole
  • Diameter: Refers to the width of a knob or width of the thickest portion of a pull
  • Projection: How far the pull or knob sticks out from the surface of the cabinet once installed

Now that you are familiar with the terminology and you can properly measure, let’s review how to proportionately pick hardware for your cabinets.

Knobs

Knobs are the most versatile hardware options. Available in a broad range of styles and finishes, standard size knobs range between 1-2 inches in diameter and will complement cabinet doors of any size.

When arranged on drawers less than 16 inches in width, we recommend installing one knob directly at the center. As for drawers larger than 16 inches, two knobs should be installed. For a symmetrical appearance, measure the drawer into thirds and set the knobs in the center of the two outer portions.

Pulls

Pulls come in a variety of styles and lengths, which can prove to be daunting when selecting proportionately sized hardware. Bar Pulls are traditionally measured center-to-center and they should not exceed 1/3 of the length of a cabinet door or width of a drawer.

Pulls 3-7 inches in length will sit the most comfortably on doors less than 24 inches tall. Cabinet doors 24-36 inches tall are best adorned with pulls 7-12 inches long, while cabinets taller than 36 inches such as pantries, built-in appliances and pullouts should be accompanied by pulls longer than 12 inches.

When fixed on drawers one pull 3-5 inches in length should be installed in the center at the center of a drawer less than 16 inches wide. Drawers 16-32 inches wide are best embellished with two smaller pulls 5-7 inches in length or one larger pull 9-12 inches long. Any drawer broader than 32 inches will require a pull longer than 12 inches.

Cup Pulls and Tab Pulls

Cup and tab pulls will follow the same sizing recommendations as bar pulls however, their placement will vary.

Due to their size and configuration, cup pulls are commonly reserved for drawers and are positioned at the top center or directly in the center. When installed on drawers, tab pulls should be placed along the top center of drawers. On upper cabinets, tab pulls are either installed vertically on the opening of the doors or horizontally on the very bottom.

Appliance Pulls

Appliances pulls are the perfect way to match your appliances and oversized cabinet doors with your decorative hardware. Appliance pulls are available in a variety of sizes from 12 to 30 inches. They should be placed on cabinet doors taller and drawers larger than 36 inches.

Want more design tips? Read our placement guide for a comprehensive look into positioning your hardware.

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest

Stay Connected

Follow Top Knobs on Social Media

Subscribe to receive monthly updates:


Archives

Join Our Design Board

TKDBMEMBER