So frustrated! Does this new kitchen cabinet hardware work??
Renee Hunter
3 years ago
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jck910
3 years agoraee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Switches! So many, does this work?
Comments (16)williamsen - horray! I'm glad that I'm not the only one that is "electronically challenged". You're definitely further along than we are. We have just in the past day figured out WHO will be making our cabinets...we have to iron out details with him and get them made then. We've got a few more questions to clear up with the GC and then once we have those two pieces in place, we'll be able to get an expected demo-start date. (You don't want to know about our experience so far...but long story short, our kitchen was supposed to be started/completed around October of last year with another person. It's not............But, we have a bunch of appliances sitting in our basement and garage right now!) The *hope* for the hidden switch is a hope at this point and not a definite plan. We are planning on hiding plugs under the cabinets along with the UC light strips and I'm hoping that we can put a switch for the UC lights and the kitchen sink light under in the same area where the UC lights and plugmold will go. I have NO idea of the feasibility of it. I would be totally cool with the back portion of the one upper cabinet having a "recess" to fit the switches up "into" the cabinet if we need to...I just don't want it on our backsplash. It's funny, but every kitchen I see now where I see light switches and electrical outlets in the backsplash just irritates me. It always has, but until GW, I never really considered that there was another way! As far as dimming from both switches, I don't know how important that feature is for us. The one side is just to turn on the lights when we come up from the basement. The other side will be when we come from the living area...so if only dimming from one side the living area would be where I'd pick. OTOH, really, how much more is it going to cost and am I going to rue the decision to "cheap out" to save $30-50 (???) on a feature in a kitchen reno where that's something like 1/10 of 1% of the total budget (I think my math is right). Now knowing that what I wanted to do initially IS possible, will I wind up being frustrated and wishing that I would have just done what my initial wish was and call our handyman to have him fix it the way we wanted it and pay even more than it would have cost to do it the way we wanted....See MoreSo how in God's green earth did you choose your cabinet hardware?
Comments (13)Alabamamommy - It was a long and more complicated process than I expected. I expected picking stone counters would be difficult, paint colors are always a challenge but hardware? One thing to keep in mind that if you pick a standard size - I think that 3.5" or 4" center to center are common measurements - you can always change them (especially if you have not spent a fortune.) I definitely recommend going to a local hardware store and picking up a few - different finishes, different styles - to start to narrow down what you are attracted to. We also put the samples on the doors (we used that adhesive tacky putty but the tape mentioned above may work better.) You may get lucky and find one you love, but if not you will have a better idea of the style or finish that works for you. Then you can order samples - from one of the online knob sites, a local restoration hardware (they don't charge you shipping if you order from the store - I even ordered on the phone via the store so I didn't even have to go to the mall :) or other store that carries hardware. We have a great local hardware store that carries all kinds, BUT each manufacturer charges shipping so it stinks for samples (versus the online consolidators that will charge you one fee even if you order from different manufacturers.) I also found some online stores that specialized in more period hardware, even some more simple (www.whitechaple-ltd.com, wwww.houseofantiquehardware.com and www.horton-brasses.com.) The surprising thing was to me some handles looked good in some finishes but not in others. Additionally, finishes look different for each manufacturer - some lacquer, some don't, some times there is a "grain" on a brushed knob or pull that goes in a certain direction. Some knobs have an orientation. OK - maybe I have freaked you out more at this point. I surprised myself in the process - I originally wanted a silver color but not polished (actually loved the pewter but everything was either rustic or super expensive.) BUT - I ended up with polished nickle because it really complimented my natural birch cabinets AND I used ORB on my white island and cabinets AND used glass knobs and satin nickle on my desk/hutch. Oh yeah AND two different handle styles AND knobs. I also wanted something that was a little old (we have a turn of the century house) at the same time contemporary. I went with Restoration hardware bistro pulls - but almost went with the House of Antique Hardware's "Classic Early 20th Century Pull" (and don't even look at Sun Valley bronze unless you have an "unlimited budge" - they are beautiful :) Regarding you kitchen - I love ORB with white, but you have to decide do you want hardware to stand out as ORB does with your walnut accents. I became attached to PN because it actually reflects what is there and therefore doesn't stand out as much as an ORB but give a lightness and glow that I didn't expect. Chrome is "cooler" looking than PN to me. Satin nickle (stainless has a similar look but is more expensive) would be more "modern" and does look really nice on the white as well. There is also antique brass (sort of a dulled almost browned brass - not shiny) that would give you more of a classic feel and may be a nice compliment to walnut but based on what I read this may not be your cup of tea (I have just warmed to it recently.) Obviously I still have some hardware baggage based on my long post - I wish you luck and hope that some of this helps....See Moregeneral Kitchen Cabinet buying frustration
Comments (56)I think wedding planning was easier! We started off first thinking we were going to have the cabinets in our "new to us" house repainted, since the off-white paint was peeling off. The granite countertops were in great shape, and it was obvious the previous owners spent a lot of money on these counters. We received an estimate for $4500 for repainting. Then, I figured it would be better to reface, and get a whole new look. I received estimates ranging from $12k- $20k (with one place being very high pressure, "will drop the price if you order today" type of attitude). One place I called, also did remodeling, and I called them in asking for prices for remodeling, not refacing, yet told me remodeling would be "much more expensive" than his quote for refacing. How much more? He would not elaborate. At this point, with particle board cabinets that really were not in the greatest shape and could stand for a lot of improvement, I figured I had to try to get an answer from SOMEBODY about a remodeling price. We were not even trying to change much - just pretty much keep the same layout in terms of appliance placement, but make a few modifcations to get it to where I thought it would be more functional. I finally got one place, when he saw in person that our kitchen wasn't as big as he thought based on the pictures I showed him, to give us a quote for remodeling. Came in around $32,000. Ok, finally! I tried a few other people, both of whom wanted a budget. I explained how we went from spending $4500, to $15000, to now maybe $30-40k? But that honestly we wanted to spend as little as possible to get the look and features we wanted. My DH was not thrilled at the thought of spending $45 (as one quote came in) and the idea of redoing the kitchen fizzled. But I knew there had to be a way.. I called a custom cabinet maker that had done a few kitchens in our neighborhood, and I went to their homes to see his work. Beautiful! I was shocked to find out he came in the lowest out of them all (around $20k for just the cabinets - since at the time we were thinking we would save the granite, and he was able to do that.) We are still toying around with what to do - we have another quote from a friend who has told us that the markup on cabinets and granite is just ridiculous. Some of the quotes I received were more detailed than others. I have been trying to get more specific on other quotes so that it would be easier to compare them - I am so afraid of choosing one, thinking it comes with everything I want, then finding out it will be extra $ here and there after we've signed on....See MoreHelp with new hardware for kitchen cabinets
Comments (6)Hi! I think that for the finish of the hardware, you should either go with stainless steel or oil rubbed bronze. Both of these finishes would look very nice in your kitchen, it really just depends on how noticeable you want them to be. As far as style, I'm not sure how big of a change you are hoping to make from the current hardware, but I would go with something sleek that compliments the traditional door style. Here are a couple of ideas, a mix of transitional and contemporary: I hope this helps!!...See MoreSusan Davis
3 years agoraee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoJody
3 years agoRenee Hunter
3 years agoRenee Hunter
3 years agoRenee Hunter
3 years agoRenee Hunter
3 years agoRenee Hunter
3 years agoKatie B.
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoJAN MOYER
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoJAN MOYER
3 years agoRenee Hunter
3 years agoCici Chouse
3 years agoJAN MOYER
3 years ago
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