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7 Steps to Achieving the Kitchen Island of Your Dreams

March 30, 2022

Improve your kitchen functionality with a few simple additions

The workhorse. The dining table. The desk. The prep station. Today, kitchen islands have become more than just a focal point – they’ve become the center of activity. Making prep work, entertaining, and dining easier than ever, the kitchen island provides endless functionality. And the best part? You don’t have to sacrifice beauty. It can be both functional AND beautiful.

From under-counter storage and housing your appliances to stylish small details like mix and matching hardware, you can take your kitchen island from workable and efficient, to sleek and stunning.

Check out our tips below on how to create a dreamy kitchen island:

It’s All in the Details

Is your style more traditional, modern, minimalist, or transitional? Do you prefer bold accents or subtle charm? No matter what you love, make sure you choose hardware that perfectly complements your style. With knobs, pulls and appliance pulls available in over 25 collections and 30 finish options, choose from endless decorative pieces to help create the ultimate focal point.

The Modern Metro tab pulls shown in Flat Black is a sleek showstopper.

Decorative Hooks and Storage

No one likes a cluttered countertop…right? Consider adding a few well-positioned hooks under your island counter to add a decorative yet purposeful touch, allowing you to hang backpacks, small pots, or other items, all while freeing up counter space.

The Ryland collection of decorative hooks offers added personality and storage to your space in familiar styles that complement some of Top Knobs’ most popular decorative hardware pieces.

Seating

For some homeowners, island seating is an informal area used for quick meals and to connect with whoever is in the kitchen. For others, it’s a more formal area where many meals are shared. No matter how you use your kitchen island seating, we recommend keeping the following in mind whenever choosing new seating: chair height, comfort, and style.

These gold metal bar chairs are the perfect complement to this kitchen island. The bronze finish brings a pop of color to this traditional kitchen and perfectly pairs with Top Knobs’ Honey Bronze hardware that adorns the cabinetry, while the height and spacing leave enough room for guests to sit comfortably.

Storage

Being the central hub, it’s only natural for the kitchen island to become a drop zone for everything from books and laptops, to schoolbags and snacks. Adding additional storage like a small bookshelf or cubby helps keep items neatly stowed away and organized.

Cabinetry

While the options for cabinetry seem to be endless, have fun exploring customization options that help make your island yours. Taking the time to add extra detail to your cabinetry like glass panels and column legs, to bold colors and open shelving creates the perfect opportunity to have your island shine in the kitchen.

One trend we love is incorporating a pop of color – the contrast of the white kitchen cabinets and black kitchen island creates a neutrally cohesive, yet stunning look.

Integrated Appliances

You’ve chosen the perfect countertop, but do you really want to clutter it with appliances? For a real space saver, we recommend integrating appliances like a microwave or wine fridge into your island to maximize space and storage.

And for an easy and stunning upgrade, swap your appliance pulls for a perfectly matched look throughout the kitchen. Our Regents Park and Morris collections offer robust ranges of styles and finishes, allowing you to take customization to the next level.

Mix & Match Hardware

A simple, yet subtle, design choice to elevate your cabinetry even further is to mix and match your decorative hardware. The combination of knobs, bar pulls, and cup pulls, can give your island a slightly different look and feel without straying too far from your kitchen’s overall design.

Our go-to favorite, the Channing Series, offers knobs, pulls, cup pulls, and backplates that can be combined to establish a cohesive look.

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

Defining Design: Leading Interior Design Genres of 2022 and Complementing Decorative Hardware from Top Knobs

February 23, 2022

Interior Design – /in-te-ri-or de-sign/: the art or process of planning the aesthetic and execution of architectural interiors and spaces.

Design comes in all shapes, sizes and formats. From neutral color palettes to modular furniture and avant-garde accessories, each component of a room should come together in complete harmony to craft a space to be relished in.

Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, refreshing a kitchen or redecorating an entire home, your abode should reflect you and your taste, and when it comes to homewares and fixtures, we believe you should have the same opportunity to express yourself.

Read on as we break down today’s leading interior genres and coordinating Top Knobs decorative hardware offerings to help you craft a look that speaks to you and your home:

Traditional

One of the most popular and enduring design schemes, traditional interiors are evocative of classic European decor. Rich wood tones, prominent architectural details, understated finishes and elegant furnishings often accompany spaces rooted in traditionalism.

For traditional interiors, we recommend knobs and pulls from our Chareau® collection. The subtle details and soft silhouettes that enhance each series in the collection invite timeless charm and classic perfection to all households.

Minimalism

One of the most considered modern styles, minimalism can often be mistaken as cold and severe. The key to achieving this aesthetical approach and crafting a serene environment is to focus on simplicity, refinement and functionality. Minimalist interiors are defined by a soft neutral palette, limited ornamentation and visual symmetry.

Our tab pulls including offerings from the Europa, Minetta and Modern Metro series complements minimalist environments. Each pull seamlessly blends into the cabinetry and furniture they adorn, for an uncompromised look.

Transitional

Perhaps one of our favorite interior design categories, transitional spaces offer plenty of interest and prevent rooms from leaning in the direction of a particular style. The best transitional settings boast a balance of traditional furnishings with modern elements while establishing a warm and welcoming environment.

Our Transcend collection is the very essence of transitional design. The combination of easy shapes, refined features and broad finish options makes this collection an effortless match to marry multiple trends.

Modern Farmhouse

Today’s take on modern farmhouse is rooted in rustic charm peppered with opulent and technical elements. Striking just the right ratio of countryside chic and sophistication, modern farmhouse interiors emphasize casual living with contemporary sensibility.

The Channing series, featured in our Barrington collection encompasses the heart and soul of modern farmhouse flair. Each knob, pull and cup pull in this series has been crafted to evoke feelings of comfortability and familiarity to make each room instantly feel like home.

Mid-Century Modern

The retro whimsy and flamboyant nuances of Mid-Century Modern details have experienced a resurgence in recent years. The beloved round edges, smooth surfaces and organic movements of 1950s accessories have been updated for today’s young homeowners who have an appreciation for vintage details.

Serving as an homage to this iconic design movement, our Lynwood collection encapsulates the electric nature of the mid 20th century.  Each piece in this complete line of knobs, pulls, cup pulls, and backplates feature a unique look produced during this time.

Industrial

As the name implies, Industrial interiors conjure an urban atmosphere, with exposed building materials and factory-like elements outfitting the space. Open floor plans with strategically placed furniture to define each “room” commonly accompany industrial-style homes, with a muted or gray-scale color scheme and minimalistic accessories to finish the look.

Versatile in form and function, our Asbury collection is the ideal accouterment for industrial dwellings. Series including Bit, Charlotte and Arendal offer lean physiques with mechanical detailing from exposed faux screws to two-toned metallic finishes.

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

Perfect Pairings: Top Knobs Guide to Coordinating Kitchen Finishes

December 1, 2021

In 2022, residential design will focus on creating cohesion throughout the kitchen. The best way to achieve a this is to  pair corresponding fixtures and finishes throughout your space. By incorporating metals of one chromatic scheme in the kitchen, you’ll establish a greater sense of stability and structure in a room where an abundance of activity occurs each day.

With so many details to consider, it can often become difficult to begin the accessory selection process. We recommend it’s best to start with the defining features of a kitchen’s design:  the appliances and cabinet hardware.

Whether your interior style leans more towards keeping up with current trends or you find yourself recreating vintage designs, we’re offering insight on curating the perfect finish scheme.

Read on as we explore the leading finish options from top appliance brands and our complementing hardware to complete the look.

Age of Bronze

Shades of gold are having a moment in kitchens this year. Pops of brass make a bold statement and bring attention to areas that can often be overlooked. Café Appliances summons serious elegance to the kitchen by adding Brushed Bronze accessories to their expansive selection of ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers and more.

When placed in line with cabinetry adorned with our Honey Bronze or Brushed Bronze knobs and pulls, the synthesis of golden hues emits an illuminating brilliance that will cast a soft glow across the entire kitchen.

The New Neutral

Subtle variations of silver embellishments welcome a sense of simplicity and serenity to kitchens. Bridging the gap between modern metallics and classic polishes is a finish that quite literally falls in the gray area. Our Ash Gray and Patina finishes lend an air of sophistication to interiors while remaining in the neutral zone.

Sub Zero Wolf’s answer to a unified style is their delectable Stainless Steel, the standard base choice across all range models. When paired with our daring charcoal-toned decorative hardware, the result is powerful. The slight nuances in color inflection establish balance and harmony in the heart of the home.

Revisiting Timeless Metals

No matter the shape or size, all chef-worthy kitchens have one trait in common – a timeless design scheme. With polished finishes always on-trend, Monogram Appliances refreshes this time-honored metal with a dramatic edge. The Monogram Dual Fuel and All-Gas ranges are all meticulously crafted from one piece of high-sheen stainless steel that covers the cooktop and control panel and are further enhanced with backlight knobs.

Coordinating this precision in appliance technology with our Polished Chrome or Polished Nickel cabinet hardware will craft a kitchen of unmatched detail that is sure to reflect the delicious meals prepared in an equally appetizing space.

Matte and Modern

Matte and flat blacks have long been a stand-out among designers and homeowners aspiring to curate an interior full of high-impact style. This chic and refined varnish satisfies all decor genres, from farmhouse to ultra-contemporary.

To conjure this opulent pigment to residential kitchens, La Cornue invites Brilliant Black and Matte Black as color options for its luxurious Cornufé range and hood collection. These two delectable obsidian coatings leave something to be desired when united with our fan-favorite Flat Black.

Beautifully Brushed

A subtle alternative to its glistening chrome and polished counterparts, brushed nickel fixtures enhance kitchens with its satin and velvety surface. As a staple option for many kitchen appliances and accessories, the textured appearance of this decorative veneer is the top choice for those who wish to outfit their kitchen with versatile pieces that transition with the ever-evolving nature of interior design trends.

With over 1,000 color combinations across their growing line of range, refrigeration and ventilation products, Bluestar is an expert when it comes to design flexibility.  By installing any of Bluestar’s unique appliances in a kitchen with our Brushed Satin Nickel knobs and pulls, the possibilities become limitless in the realm of kitchen design.

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

Top Knobs Guide to 2022 Kitchen Trends

October 20, 2021

Kitchen design has come a long way. What was once a room tucked away and hidden from other areas of the home has now become its heart and soul. The kitchen is the space that sparks creativity, sustains residential ergonomics and fuels day-to-day life. As an area that serves such vital household importance, it’s no wonder kitchens are constantly updated and refreshed.

With new and innovative design ideas on the horizon, there are plenty of looks to try out in your space in the coming year. However, before you dabble in the overwhelming amount of options, we’re taking a peek at the 5 leading kitchen trends of 2022 and inspiring images to help navigate this new season of style.

Golden Hour

While matte black has been the “it” color for home accessories in years past, there’s a new aurous hue taking its place next year. Now that decorative hardware is available in a myriad of finishes, all kitchen fixtures are following suit with the availability of more choices. In 2022, the golden palette will be in high demand among interior stylists and homeowners.

This warm and inviting scheme establishes a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen and casts an illuminating glow in rooms with ample amounts of natural light. With knobs, pulls and appliance pulls available in Brushed Bronze, Honey Bronze, Tuscan Bronze and more, we offer endless decorative pieces to bring this brilliant color range to your home.

Detailed Cabinetry

So long to the days of ordinary cabinetry and the cluttered open shelving look. In its place are unique cabinet surfaces that offer high-impact and dramatic pause. From mesh fronts, glass panels and cane webbing, bespoke cabinetry is taking front and center in the kitchen. While these new cabinet door alternatives allow homeowners to showcase their dishware in style, they also bring an air of mystery and excitement leaving guests to ponder what’s on the other side.

To further up the ante of this bold new trend, designers are teaming these detailed cabinet faces with matching knobs and pulls that feature just as much charm, like our Amwell series or Crystal collection.

Closed Kitchen Concept

In the early 2010s, the open floorplan took precedence in the home, breaking down “barriers” and allowing household members to remain connected while utilizing different areas. But, 2020 and 2021 brought a shift in how we interact with our homes and each room began to take on its own purpose again. During the next year, the kitchen will return to its roots as a place where cooking becomes top priority and mealtime and friendly gatherings can take place without the interruptions of today’s technology.

Here we will see “walls” put back up in the form of swing doors, windowed partisans and small cutaways as a way to define the kitchen space yet maintain the flow of the home.

Island Time

As the closed concept begins to take shape, one area of the kitchen that still calls for open communal use and multi-functionality is the island. The idea that the island has become a catchall will still reign true in 2022 and beyond, however, its designated usage will change at different moments of the day. To ease the transition between playtime, homework, office hours and meal prep, we suggest adding additional storage to the island.

Our favorite solution is installing a small bookshelf and decorative hooks from our Ryland collection at the end of the island. This space then becomes a drop zone where toys, backpacks, bags, school work and papers can be neatly stored without getting lost in the kitchen shuffle.

Pops of Color

We’re not completely moving away from neutrals quite yet, but adding a touch of vibrancy to the kitchen is the perfect way to bring personality and contrast into this central hub . Be it a section of cabinetry, backsplash, piece of furniture or block of paint, we’re all about infusing electric energy into the heart of the home this year.

Our best advice for exploring your chromatic comfort zone is, begin small with muted hues that fit your kitchen’s aesthetic. Then, graduate to more adventurous hues when the time is right. Rich greens, heavy blues and striking yellows are sure to be a hit next year.

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

Top Knobs Launches New Social Media Mood Board Campaign

July 29, 2021

Top Knobs, the leading manufacturer of decorative kitchen and bath hardware, announces the 2021 Mood Board Campaign. Top Knobs is calling on architects and designers to showcase their design inspirations and innovations by posting their mood boards, featuring Top Knobs hardware, for a chance to be featured on Top Knobs’ social media channels.

The campaign, which runs from August 2021 through December 2021, celebrates the art of visual design and thoughtfully crafted presentation.

On the first Monday of each month, starting in August, Top Knobs will announce a theme, via social media, as a guideline for participants to follow. Design professionals are then invited to post their mood board, inspired by the given theme, to their own social channel. Participants are asked to tag Top Knobs and use the hashtag #TopKnobsMoodBoard for a chance to have their design reposted with credit on Top Knobs’ Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

“Every month, Top Knobs lends creative encouragement to our design community in the form of meticulously curated flat lays and mood boards,” says Warren Ramsland, President of Top Knobs. “We’d like to turn the tables and offer an opportunity for talented design professionals to share their ingenuity, craftsmanship and personal style with their peers and celebrate their talent with our vast network.”

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

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