Top Knobs has been making decorative hardware for 20 years. It all started with 2 collections back in 1995, and the rest is history.
Did you know that Top Knobs has attended KBIS, Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, since the very beginning? “It’s a great opportunity to meet [our] customers and network,” explains Warren Ramsland, President of Top Knobs.
While at KBIS 2015, designer Joann Kandrac of KandracKole Interiors had the opportunity to talk to Top Knobs about why they attend KBIS every year. Take a look!
Designer Susan Serra recently teamed up with television chef, cookbook author, and author of the blog Steamy Kitchen, Jaden Hair to renovate and design Jaden’s new and improved kitchen space in her Florida home. The goal for this design was to provide Jaden and her family with a wide open area for family activities while still maintaining enough space for prepping and cooking. With the help of Top Knobs Chareau collection Chalet pulls and an eye-catching wall mural, Susan was able to design a kitchen suitable for both a hard-working chef and a busy family of four.
Susan Serra, CKD
Top Knobs interviewed Susan to learn exactly how she was able to create such a multifunctional design.
Q: What was your biggest design challenge during this remodel?
The challenge for every kitchen is to find the perfect balance between function and aesthetics. My philosophy is that aesthetics and function should be equal partners starting out in the design process. Sometimes one or the other will emerge as the leader, sometimes not. In this case, due to a large walk-in pantry outside of the kitchen, storage was not the critical functional element to lead the design as it often does in most American kitchens. We found the sweet spot! As a result, the hard surfaces (cabinetry) are not visually overwhelming in the space, especially as it is an open plan concept, open to a dining space and family room.
Q: How did Top Knobs help you to create the perfect kitchen environment for someone who is a mom, wife, and chef?
The first thing that comes to my mind as I answer this question is STYLE. After all, it’s usually the first thing one notices when experiencing a kitchen. The Top Knobs hardware was chosen for its visually soft properties. I love the selection of extra long pulls paired with knobs. Although good looking in their own right, the long pulls make access to cabinetry quick and easy. They also add a more horizontal perspective to the cabinetry, which I like.
Q: What was your inspiration for the stunning wall mural?
The mural was a joint effort. I suggested a mural to feature this single wall and Jaden chose a motif that she feels very connected to – the bamboo forest, a homage to her heritage. I do love the effect in the room!
Q: What other materials and techniques were used to create this kitchen?
It was important to me to unite each wall of cabinetry with the same size top doors so the eye experiences this symmetry. This took quite a bit of coordination with stock KraftMaid cabinetry, believe it or not, but you don’t need custom sizes to be creative. Had the wall cabinet to the right of the oven been taller as it would be designed typically, it would disrupt the top line of cabinetry on both walls.
The transformation of a San Francisco home’s kitchen into a Tuscan inspired eatery was featured in the March issue of Better Homes & Gardens: Kitchen & Bath Ideas, and Top Knobs took center stage.
After California couple Heather and Massimo met during an extended stay in Tuscany, they knew that their first order of business was to remodel their kitchen using the Italian influences that they fell in love with.
The Victorian style home’s kitchen was remodeled in the late 80’s, but lacked the culture and character that Heather and Massimo had imagined.
“The kitchen was really unattractive. In fact, it felt more like an office space with its long bank of plain cabinetry and black appliances,” says Heather.
The newly remodeled kitchen included limestone floor tiles, a handmade limestone range hood, a handmade tile back-splash, and custom two-toned cabinetry all tied together with popular Italian motifs.
Top Knobs cabinet hardware was used to accent the beautiful cabinetry and finish off the Tuscan design. The Devon Knob and the Tuscany D Pull from the Top Knobs Passport Collection, both in the Pewter Antique finish, were used in the remodeled kitchen.
The article “Italian Romance” from Better Homes & Gardens: Kitchen & Bath Ideas was written by Mervyn Kaufman, edited by Karen Reinecke, and photographed by Paul Dyer.
The new Top Knobs Mercer Collection Oculus series of decorative hardware accents cabinetry with a strong circular shape and clean lines. Rounded bases for the pulls and tops for the knobs add strength and performance.
“Perfectly round shapes are always eye-catching design elements,” states Christine Zimmer, product manager for Top Knobs. “We set off these shapes with smooth geometric arches for pulls and bases for knobs and you have a collection that has firm contemporary character that integrates well with transitional rooms.”
Round shapes, such as the Pantheon dome in Rome, are the inspiration for the Top Knobs Mercer Collection Oculus series of cabinet hardware.
Top Knobs Mercer Collection Oculus Series
Oculus is available with 3 knob sizes and 3 sizes of pulls. Five trending finishes offer added versatility including Brushed Satin Nickel, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Sable and Umbrio. Retail prices vary based on size/finish from $5.00 per piece to $13.00 per piece. For more information, and to order samples, visit TopKnobs.com.
Top Knobs was used to help transform a Scripps Ranch area San Diego, California kitchen renovation spearheaded by Borrelli Design.
This $75,000 kitchen renovation includes the flared pull and the 3/8” x 1 1/2″ L knob from the Top Knobs Sanctuary Collection in a Tuscan Bronze finish. The kitchen is loved by people and pets alike. The clients’ dog showed up and found its spot in the kitchen!
When asked why they choose Top Knobs for the project, Borelli Design had this to say:
“We chose this particular collection for this project because we felt that it complemented the timeless and unique feel of the kitchen. The rich finish of the Tuscan Bronze went with the custom stained Walnut wood and Espresso-stained doors for the refrigerator panels and pantry area. We chose pulls that had a slight curvature to play off of the wood grains and pillowed-edge door profiles. Elegant and simple, yet the perfect finalizing touch for the kitchen.”
Borrelli Design+Cabinetry is a multidimensional interior design firm specializing in custom design and installation of kitchen, bath, home theater, and other projects for home and office. With more than 30 years of experience serving clients throughout the United States, the Borrelli Design team of interior designers, on-site cabinetmakers, and installers, in conjunction with the Borrelli team of craftspeople, work with clients from the concept phase to completion of each project.
Do you have a project where you’ve used Top Knobs? We’re always looking for beautiful kitchen and bath projects to share on our Imagine Daily blog. Contact us on Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus and we’ll work together to share your projects.
