Pulling open the same drawers and doors every day is a routine performed without even looking — just reach, grab and pull. So why not snap the mundane out of the routine by having something fun and utilitarian in hand like decorative knobs and pulls.
Swap out the bland, pragmatic metal for colorful ceramic knobs and glass pulls on kitchen and bathroom cabinets and fun will easily follow function.
Even electrical switch plates can get into the act with mirrors and ceramic material. And they don’t have to match. In fact, the pieces can be even more fun and interesting with a mix of colors, shapes and material similar to the way the furnishings and accessories are dressed in a child’s room.
“It’s a really affordable makeover,” said Jeff Allen, a Washington homeowner looking to get his house ready for guests for the presidential inauguration celebration weekend. “That’s a great idea for giving a new feel to an old look.”
A collection of painted ceramic knobs can give a kitchen an instant face-lift and facilitate conversation among guests who like hanging out there anyway. But you don’t have to stop at the kitchen.
Small, stackable wood storage boxes are great for holding small hardware items like bolts, nails, tools and seasonal items. Paper or paint the boxes and add colorful, contrasting knobs. Sit the dressed up containers in plain view on a table or stool to add a bit of welcoming whimsy and a fun design element. The added bonus is contents will be easier to access.
With suggestions for how to use them, the idea of mixing up a knob collection had sudden appeal for Lori Dunston, a clothing designer contemplating change around her place. “Now, I can see it working for sure as a seasonal face-lift for Christmas and just anytime.”
