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Architectural Hardware B Architectural hardware is going for bold by STACEY MCLACHLAN Beauty is in the details, they say, so selecting architec- tural hardware – handles, hinges, railings, locks and the like – should never be an afterthought. Whether you prefer a sleek, concealed look for your cabinetry or bold and beautiful knobs on every drawer, these small elements can have a huge impact on the look and func- tion of your space. "The key word for 2015 is expression," says Francoise Dion, national manager of specifications for Richelieu. "Express your taste, your personality, and think outside the box. What makes you feel good?" He points to a wide range of popular styles and materials that run the gamut from Swarovski handles to pieces in metal, leather, wood or acrylic. "Forms are geometric, linear, slim, bold or robust, or even a balance between them all. Some are tiny, others oversized." "Homeowners are getting quite sophisticated," notes Frank Sansalone, product manager for Blum Canada. "They're keeping up-to-date with decorat- ing shows and magazines, and are asking questions of their suppliers and doing research before starting their renovation projects." Wendy Johannson, director of marketing for Taymor agrees: "They're looking on Houzz and attending trade shows." "Everybody seems to be getting more organized," notes Nicola McGown, specification consultant for Richelieu. "There are lots of things you don't see that are there to help the functionality of the space." Hidden organization set-ups inside cupboards help the func- tionality of the space, like built-in cutlery systems or slide-out recycling bins. That concealment trend car- ries over to hardware that lifts and slides doors and drawers, while remaining out of sight thanks to special touch latches and hidden hinges. Sansalone has also noticed the trend towards handle-free kitchens: "We're having success with our Servo-Drive products, which provide an electri- cal assist to help you open the drawer and maintain a clean look for your kitchen." There's also Blum's popu- lar Blumotion technology, which offers a nice soft-close feature as drawer and door fronts reach the cabinet. "This helps you with noise reduction inside the cabi- net, but it also helps you maintain the life of your cabi- net fronts," says Sansalone. A trend report released by Hettich agrees that the handleless look is still right on trend. "Trends change the world. They are the result of constant new directions in society and technology. Trends express personality," explains Andreas Hettich, managing director. The ProDecor handle collection from Hettich rigidly focuses on market preferences and makes it just as easy for furniture buyers to identify with their own particular style as it does to individualize furniture in line with the latest trends. ProDecor – Inspired by Life, represents a collection of handles and doorknobs. It showcases the four trend styles of New Modern, Deluxe, Organic and Folk. From the natural, beautiful form of the Organic Handles to the uber-stylish New Modern handle collection, the ProDecor handles from Hettich are the perfect finish- ing touch to any kitchen. The clean look is a favourite of architects who are looking for concealed hardware that's functional but minimal. Homeowners, on the other hand, are more about what feels right when they touch it, Richelieu's McGown says. "They're more attached to it because they have to use it." When hardware is on display, it's designed to stand out. "It's about making a statement, and with the economy, people are using everything they can to get the biggest bang possible," says McGown. In terms of colour, black is making a splash for the coming year. "Powder-coated matte black finish is very on trend," says Taymor's Johannson. The company is introducing a whole line of modern black products in hardware but also for the bathroom. "It's such a great neutral. It goes with any interior and it's modern look- ing," she explains. "It's a way to put in a modern touch without changing too much." Bath accessories are being used in other parts of the home, like the laun- dry room or on kitchen islands, which offer consumers more options than ever before. Mixed finishes are also a hot trend. "People are putting chrome hardware in one part of a bathroom and then using locks in another finish like oil-rubbed bronze," Johannson notes. "Shiny finishes are out," says PJ Rosch, brand man- ager at Baldwin Hardware, pointing to oil-rubbed matte finishes as the current hot look. Crystal, sur- prisingly, is also a popular choice, particularly for transitional-style spaces. "With a timeless quality that appeals to young and old alike; crystal doorknobs feel luxurious in the hand," says Rosch. McGown still sees chrome, brushed nickel and stainless as strong finishes right now. "People still really love the stainless look, but it depends where you are in the market," she points out. "Some people are pushing the boundaries, so each time we introduce a new piece of hardware we add the black, but also have the chrome." Rosch suggests the company's new contemporary hardware collection, Santa Monica, as a flexible hard- ware option that can work for a variety of applications. "It's stunning in its simplicity and clarity of form, and features a keen focus on pure geometry without sac- rificing comfort." The collection – consisting of five levers, four rosettes, one square deadbolt with single and double configurations, and handle sets – puts a visual emphasis on vertical and horizontal lines. "The 'less is more' principle also applies to doorknobs, as people are opting for smaller, Euro-inspired sets with decorative flourishes," says Rosch. Ease of access can improve your kitchen experience drastically, so new innovations like wide-angle hinges, which can help improve access to upper cabinets, should prove to be popular in the coming years. Blum's new Aventos HKS cylinder lift system opens, closes and holds with reliable ease. Down below the countertops, a Back In Black Estate lever in Satin Black; Estate knob in Oil-Rubbed Bronze; Filmore knob in Satin Brass and Black; Santa Monica entrance trim in Lifetime Polished Brass; all from Baldwin Hardware.

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