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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.

How to Expertly Mix Metals in the Home

February 18, 2020

There are many tried and true rules for home décor that most abide, but one thing that isn’t so far fetched is the idea to mix and match metals where you reside.

Black, brass, chrome, nickel and bronze, with so many options to choose, picking the right metal for your home can be a difficult process. Rather than dwelling on the right metallic finish for your space, consider mixing them up! Designers and homeowners alike are opting for this contrasting trend to add interest and depth for a one-of-a-kind look.

 

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With over 37 different hardware and bath accessory finishes, Top Knobs has the perfect combination of metallics to complete the look of any space and style. Read on as we explore this popular trends and share tips to incorporate mixed metals in each room of the home.

For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place for gathering and entertaining, therefore thoughtful space planning is required to ensure a kitchen is both inviting and highly functional. When incorporating mixed metals in the kitchen, we recommend beginning with a neutral color pallet. The key to mixing metals in the kitchen is layering. To achieve this look, divide your space into horizontal or vertical sections and select a different metal for each area.

 

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The living room is where designers and homeowners become creative and let their personal style shine. We suggest a bold look by coordinating the contrasting metals with different accessories and elements in the same finishes to emphasize the daring look and draw attention to the design details.

 

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Mixing metals can be a fun experiment in the bedroom but it does require some planning and structure. Bedrooms are a place for relaxation and their design should never be overwhelming. We advise choosing a dominant metal for your furniture then introducing a second metal subtly through accessories and accent pieces. We recommend incorporating no more than two metals in the bedroom for a cohesive look.

 

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Bathrooms used to be a space reserved for chrome and nickel finishes. With brass and bronze leading the finish trend this year, the bathroom has become the ideal spot to harmonize warm and cool tones. This look requires a thoughtful balance that shifts away from the traditional matchy look. Try opting for a cool silver tone as the base for your plumbing and cabinetry hardware and pairing it with warm bronze accents and bath accessories for a style will co-exist.

 

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

Top Knobs Introduces Ellis, a Collection of Decorative Hardware that Exudes Southern Sophistication

February 12, 2020

Top Knobs, the leading manufacturer of decorative kitchen and bath hardware, introduces the Ellis Collection. Influenced by the opulent and intricate architecture of Savannah, GA, Ellis includes five series of delicately detailed knobs, pulls and appliance pulls.

“When you think of Savannah, you think of southern hospitality, tradition and classically inspired designs,” states Christine Zimmer, Top Knobs Product Manager. “Each of these characteristics have been modernized and are embodied in every piece of the Ellis collection, allowing interior designers and homeowners to bring that feeling of sophistication into every project.”

Ellis Collection Details:

  • 274 pieces
  • Five series: Telfair, Hartridge, Julian, Davenport, and Ellis
  • 12” and 18” Appliance pulls available in all 5 series
  • Pulls in all 5 series available in sizes ranging from 3 ¾” to 12”
  • Knobs in all 5 series available in sizes 1 1/8” and 1 1/2”

 

All hardware in the Ellis collection is available in Ash Gray, Brushed Satin Nickel, Flat Black, Honey Bronze, Polished Chrome and Polished Nickel. MSRP for the Ellis collection ranges from $7.35 to $175.00.

All Top Knobs collections come with a lifetime warranty. Visit TopKnobs.comfor more information.

TOP KNOBS COMPLETES THE GRACE COLLECTION WITH THE KENT AND BARROW SERIES

October 16, 2019

Top Knobs, the leading manufacturer of decorative kitchen and bath hardware, announces Kent and Barrow, the final two series in the Grace Collection of knobs, pulls and appliance pulls.

In line with Grace’s aesthetic, the design inspiration for both series was drawn from their namesake neighborhoods in New York City. The regal details in the Kent Series rounded knobs and bar pulls are reminiscent of the posh Upper East Side neighborhood of Kent. While the influence of Barrow Street can be found in the refined elegance of the Barrow Series.

“The Barrow and Kent series are a true reflection of the sophistication and unique style Top Knobs has displayed over the past 25 years,” says Christine Zimmer, Top Knobs Product Manager. “These two series complete the Grace Collection and are the perfect ending of this milestone year.”

 

Kent Details

  • 1 ¼” Knob
  • Pull Sizes: 3” cc Pull, 3 ¾” cc Pull, 5 1/16” cc Pull, 6 5/16” cc Pull, 7 9/16” cc Pull, 8 13/16” cc Pull, 12” cc Pull
  • Appliance Pull Sizes: 12” cc, 18” cc
  • Finishes: Ash Grey, Brushed Satin Nickel, Flat Black, Honey Bronze, Polished Chrome, and Polished Nickel
  • MSRP: $7.30 – $135.10

Barrow Details

  • Knob Size: 1 ¼” Knob
  • Pull Sizes: 3 ¾” cc Pull, 5 1/16” cc Pull, 6 5/16” cc Pull, 7 9/16” cc Pull, 8 13/16” cc Pull, 12” cc Pull
  • Finishes: Ash Grey, Brushed Satin Nickel, Flat Black, Honey Bronze, Polished Chrome, and Polished Nickel
  • MSRP: $7.40 – $43.74

All Top Knobs collections come with a lifetime warranty. Visit TopKnobs.com for more information.

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