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FEBRUA RY 2019 | 25 Architectural Hardware Architectural hardware perfectly combines functionality and design by STACEY MCLACHLAN A rchitectural hardware is the unsung hero of any space: the mechani- cal components that make doors, cabinets, and drawers flawlessly functional and the experience of a space enjoyable. But while these small elements may fly under the radar, technology and trends don't pass them by. As the industry evolves, hinges and handles, railing systems and cabinet pulls, door locks and latches, are better, faster, and stronger than ever before, and available in a variety of finishes. While functionality is always critical for architectural hardware, design matters as well. Visible hardware – drawer pulls, knobs, and door handles – are the finishing touches of any space. "People can have a personalized environment using what I would call jewel pieces," explains Françoise Dion from Richelieu Hardware Ltd. "People start to dare more and are realizing that changing the hardware only could really change the look of a kitchen." While everyone has their own personal taste, trends still bubble up in the industry, and manufacturers respond to demand with new lines. Richelieu, for one, is launching a new collection of Italian designs for 2019 and another signed by fashion designer Jean-Claude Poitras. The company also introduced over 1,000 new pieces in over 40 new finishes for 2018, bringing the offerings to well over 6,000 pieces; truly something for everyone. But what's received the most atten- tion from this wide selection? "Long pulls are still very popular, and we see more recessed pulls for a modern sleek look," says Dion. "We have cut-to-size ones adaptable to any door width." And in terms of finishes, metals never seem to go away. "Metallic colours and mate- rials like brass, copper, and chrome are extremely in demand in contemporary styles, and of course, all colours that match all the new appliances," says Dion. However, he points out that the number one finish is still stainless steel: a classic look for modern, contemporary, and transitional spaces alike. H I D D E N A S S E T S These days, a truly great hinge might just slip under your radar because hinges are intentionally designed to be out of sight, out of mind. In fact, with Grass Canada's new Tiomos H and the H-AL hinge system, the "H" stands for "hidden." As the first Grass hinge that is fully recessed in the furniture, it's skillfully integrated in the cabinet, allowing the design of the furniture to stand out. "The new hinge surprises with its slender design," notes George Pavlov, national archi- tectural and design specification manager for Grass Canada. Ultra-versatile, it can be used with an opening angle of 105 degrees and is suitable for installation on doors with a thickness of 18 millimetres, plus, an optional damping system provides additional comfort. For a balanced gap alignment, it is also possible to perfectly adjust the door laterally, in height and in depth thanks to the integrated adjustment mechanism. Meanwhile, the versatile and extremely shallow Tiomos M-series works well for demanding door applications, with maximum stability and integrated damping that make it ideal for use with very thin furniture doors, rebated doors, and four- sided mitred applications. For mirror and glass doors, though, it's the Tiomos Mirro that takes the lead: it's designed to gently close with a flowing, hardly noticeable movement. "Soft-close and damping mechanism integrated into the hinge arm of the tried-and-tested Tiomos hinge generation ensures a gentle closing action for glass and mirror doors," explains Pavlov. All the Tiomos hinges include 3D adjustment and stepless height adjustment, as well as great kinematics, which results in the extremely effortless opening of furniture doors. "Furniture designers all over the world are enthusiastic about the perfect reveal alignment with minimum gaps," says Pavlov. Hinging On It Tiomos H-AL hinge system from Grass Canada Inc. Designer pulls by Jean-Claude Poitras from Richelieu Hardware.

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