Think about it, we wear jewelry to enhance our appearance, which is just what cabinet jewelry does for your home. And like jewelry, cabinet hardware comes in all different shapes, sizes, styles, materials and finishes. Here, we’ll help you find the perfect match for your home while creating a flawless balance between form and function.

What is Cabinet Jewelry 

Cabinet jewelry are the knobs, pulls and hinges attached to the cabinets and drawers inside a home. Typically, knobs are used for doors, while pulls are used for drawers. Before there was a variety of hardware available, knobs were dominant in older homes, but are becoming popular in newer homes. Pulls tend to have a more contemporary look and are big in modern homes. Really there are no rules set in stone, so never hesitate to mix and match where you like. 

Materials and Finishes 

You can choose from a variety of materials for your hardware, ranging from brass, bronze, stainless steel, nickel or even crystal or ceramic. Depending on the material you select, cabinet hardware looks best when finish is applied, which quickly adds contrast to a room. A few popular finishes include polished, brushed, satin, matte, burnished, oil-rubbed, antique, weathered or painted. 

Style

Along with material and finish, cabinet hardware comes in any style you could possibly imagine. If your home is on the traditional side, go with more decorative hardware. If it’s contemporary make sure to choose hardware with long simple lines. Transitional homes look great with simple hardware and bright colors. Lastly, rustic homes look fantastic with dark finishes and materials like copper, black or bronze. The material, finish and style you select should reflect your personality, like the necklace you wear around your neck or the bracelet around your wrist. 

Choose the Right Size

You wouldn’t think about it, but the size of your cabinet hardware is also important in establishing your space’s aesthetic. For smaller drawers, anything around 12” or less work well with pulls between 3” to 4” long or a knob 1” in diameter. Medium drawers around 12” to 30” work with pulls between 4” to 8” or a knob between 1” to 1.5” in diameter. Larger drawers around 30” to 48” usually require a pull longer than 8” or a knob 1” in diameter or longer. 

In the end, the best way to decide on cabinet hardware is to experiment with different styles, sizes and finishes, just as if you were trying on pieces of jewelry.  Before you buy, do your research, order samples and see how your look changes with each unique design. 

At Johnson Brothers we carry cabinet hardware from suppliers including Top Knobs, Amerock, and Emtek. Visit our Idaho Falls or Boise Showroom today for information on your home improvement inquiries.

Paint-grade Millwork
One trend to consider as you’re selecting millwork that’s captured the attention of many homeowners is the sleek white-on-white look. Simple, yet effective, white painted millwork, i.e. door and window casing or trim, crowns, baseboards and moulding, can brighten up a room by adding an architectural element also making it feel fresh and modern. Well-painted trim work can also help achieve that popular farmhouse look, or accent most any style due to its versatility. 

Paint grade millwork has a smooth and modern look which is a great option for out of reach areas such as windows and crown moulding, which creates a sense of depth in a room. Due to the lightweight and soft qualities, paint grade material is very flexible around corners and curves.

Although popular and stylish in modern homes, paint grade millwork surprisingly falls a bit on the expensive side. Supplies for paint can cost around $200, and labor can cost between $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the size of the project. 

Your budget may ultimately come down to how long you expect your millwork to last and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Paint lasts a little over 10 years as it is prone to cracking and chipping due to the fact that it doesn’t move with the natural expansion and contraction of wood.

Stain-Grade Millwork
If you have an older home, there’s a high chance you probably have some high-quality stained woodwork. The ability to match trim work around an older house is important in achieving a sense of warmth and rustic charm, especially during any remodeling phases. Classic homes such as Victorian style commonly have gorgeous woods that can be difficult to match without the help of a professional.

In general, stain grade millwork will result in sturdier higher-quality wood, therefore it’s a great option for high traffic areas like homes with kids or pets, plus it’s gorgeous and very low maintenance. Stained wood also has a more natural appearance, which pairs beautifully with traditional homes.

The average cost for stain is a bit less than paint and falls around $100 to $150 for the supplies and between $1,500 to $4,000 for professional labor. Staining wood is also generally easier than painting, which in turn could save you a lot of money by doing it yourself.

In addition to a lower cost, stained millwork also lasts an average of around 20 to 30 years as it is less prone to cracking, flaking, and chipping. Stained wood is also washable due to its waterproof base, which means it is very hassle-free to clean. 

Custom millwork is created locally at Johnson Brothers and has been since the turn of the 20th century. Whether remodeling one room, updating a historic structure, or building all new from the ground up — the choices and selection at Johnson Brothers are practically endless — just check out the below catalog link and you’ll get the idea! Choose from oak, poplar, Alder (clear or knotty), ash, birch, cherry, hickory, walnut or white oak. Ask your contractor, or visit our Idaho Falls or Boise showrooms today to inquire about special order designs and custom millwork. View our Custom Wood Moulding and Millwork Catalog.