Design professionals appreciate good hardware, and many architects consider the door handle to be “the handshake” of a house. It’s an important accoutrement that sets the tone for things to come on the inside, and it alerts visitors that the homeowner put some thought into the decision.
In the past, really good hardware cost a pretty penny, but today builders and buyers can choose from a wide selection of moderately priced high-quality products. They may also choose truly imaginative offerings that add creativity to a home.
One example of the latter can be found in the Archetypes Collection from Baldwin Hardware Corp., based in Reading, Pa. Though the product line evokes an old timey vibe, the company says the products are not reproductions. Instead, they convey the aesthetic of other times and places.
As part of its effort to suggest bygone eras, Baldwin manufactures the bronze products using “lost wax” casting, a method from antiquity that was used to produce fine jewelry for Egypt’s pharaohs, and sand casting, which dates back 200 years.
If buyers are looking for more contemporary hardware but still want products with a taste of the dramatic, they can turn to the Brighthandle line of stainless steel interior door levers. Manufactured by Emtek Products in City of Industry, Calif., each unique handle features an acrylic section that illuminates when the user engages the privacy function from the inside, which is ideal for a bathroom.
While cool and truly unique hardware still does cost a little—and in some cases a lot—more than the traditional products that can be found in a big box retailer or the entry-level line of major manufacturers, don’t fret.
Architects and designers have a cost-saving solution: Put the high-quality hardware on the doors on the first level or in the main spaces of the home and use a lower-cost product in the private spaces or on the second level. You’ll save money but still maintain the design impact of the exceptional hardware products you took the time to select.
Love Handles: The Brighthandle line of levers combines stainless steel with an acrylic handle that illuminates when the privacy function is engaged. Available in two lever styles and three acrylic designs, the handle uses a single AA battery that provides up to one year of bright red illumination. Emtek Products. 800-356-2741. www.emtek.com.
Eco Centric: This eco-savvy Inlay Collection handle blends reclaimed wood with recycled-content tumbled bronze. It measures 2 1/2 inches by 10 inches and is offered with a choice of four inlaid lever designs and three handles. The line comes in white bronze with 95 percent pre-consumer recycled content and silicon bronze with 90 percent pre-consumer recycled content. Sun Valley Bronze. 208- 788-3631. www.sunvalleybronze.com.
Bronze Age: Part of the Solid Bronze Collection, this Tubular Gripset handle features a satin nickel escutcheon, concealed screws outside, and an option for any lever or knob inside. It comes standard with tubular latch and deadbolt. Nine levers and two knob designs also are available. Ashley Norton. 800-393-1097. www.ashleynorton.com.
Le Chateau: The Archetypes Collection features three lines of elegantly designed door hardware and accessories, including the Chateau tubular handleset shown here. Cast in bronze, the mortise lockset has a covered cylinder that is crowned by a shelled motif and acanthus vines. It is shown in a pewter bronze finish that will continue to age. Baldwin Hardware Corp. 800-566-1986. www.baldwinhardware.com.