How to Transform Your Space With Ironmongery

Often, hardware decisions are left until the end of a project, resulting in rushed decisions and a non-cohesive look. While it may be a mere afterthought to most, the interior designers among us know that the right ironmongery can not only elevate the look of, but also improve the functionality of a space.

Above: From The Anvil's Satin Stainless Steel Slimline Newbury locking lever door handle set.

What is Ironmongery?

As the name suggests, ironmongery originally referred to products manufactured from iron, but has evolved to include the production of goods made from steel, aluminium, brass, bronze, and other metals.

Historically, all ironmongery was hand forged by talented tradespeople known as Blacksmiths. The rise of the Industrial Revolution was a turning point for ironmongery as it created increased demand which could only be met by mass production. The art of the Blacksmith dwindled as their work was replaced with mass-produced ironmongery sold widely in hardware and DIY stores.

However, the art of the humble Blacksmith has not yet ceased. From The Anvil believes in preserving our history which is why they continue to hand forge all of their ironmongery. This enables them to create products that are not just beautiful, but also incredibly hardwearing and weighty due to their solid metal composition. It also enables From The Anvil to create completely bespoke products for clients - you can discuss your bespoke requests here.

Above: From The Anvil's Pewter Peardrop window fastener.

Why is Ironmongery Important?

To discover the importance of ironmongery you need only to walk into the nearest room. Chances are you used ironmongery to grasp the door (a door knob or lever handle), to open the door (locks, latches, and hinges) and can see ironmongery in your eyeline (window handles, cabinet knobs, and shelf brackets). 

Ironmongery is essential to every property and, if chosen correctly, will enhance any space. Too often, ironmongery is left to the last minute, leaving little time or budget to make a careful selection. If you want your interior to feel luxurious and complete, allocate plenty of time to choose your hardware before starting your project and opt for high-quality pieces where possible.

Many people don't realise that you can order doors, windows, and cabinetry with the ironmongery of your choice; simply make a request to your joiner to swap your hardware for pieces you love, or install the fittings yourself. The process is surprisingly easy, and we have plenty of Fitting Guides available to help!

Take a look at the example below, where you can see how a coat of paint and updating the kitchen cabinetry with Polished Bronze ironmongery completely transforms this space, giving it a touch of class and elegance.

Above: From The Anvil's Polished Bronze Mushroom cabinet knobs and matching Regency drawer pulls.

Exterior Ironmongery

With the front of your house constantly on display to the neighbourhood, it's important to create the right impression. To select the best hardware for your front door, you'll need to think about both the aesthetic and security you want to achieve; the best hardware will optimise both.

First, think about what finish you want to use. Pick a finish that both complements the colour and style of your door, and is suitable for external usage. Examples of this includes From The Anvil's Black, External Beeswax, Pewter, Bronze, and Brass finishes, which you can learn more about here.

Once you've selected your finish, you can start thinking about style. If you have a Period property, you may opt for a door knob in a traditional style, like From The Anvil's Beehive collection, or their Brockworth range. Or, for more modern properties, opt for an Oval or Ball door knob, which work especially well against painted wood doors.

Above: From The Anvil's Oval and Ball door knobs.

Alternatively, opt for a door handle rather than a knob. The lever handle offers an easy-to-use alternative which is a great choice for those with limited hand function who may struggle operating traditional door knobs. From The Anvil's lever handles offer a huge variety of designs to match any interior. Take a look at the Avon Collection for contemporary interiors, or the Regency Range for a more classic property.

A simple yet effective way to bring a sense of refinery to your doorstep is by adding a decorative escutcheon to your keyhole. From The Anvil's Satin Brass Round escutcheon is a great way to protect your keyhole while elevating the look of your door.

To complete the suite, we recommend using a door knocker in the centre of your door, allowing your guests to announce themselves in style. For a grand entrance, consider From The Anvil's Loop door knocker which will add a touch of elegance to any home.

Above: From The Anvil's Black Loop door knocker.

 If your front door has a letter slot, you'll want a matching letter plate to tidy it up, alongside a letter plate cover internally to limit draughts and noise pollution.

Above: From The Anvil's Black Letter plates.

Interior Ironmongery

We've talked a lot about exterior doors, but what about our internal doors? You'll want to select high-quality hardware that is both functional and hardwearing (and complements your interior of course).

Interior designers often coordinate a property's internal and external hardware to create a harmonious flow throughout the property. Or, if you prefer to create intrigue in your home, try mixing finishes - find out how in our Mixing Hardware Finishes blog!

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Bronze and Polished Nickel Hammered Newbury Slimline lever espag. door handle.

Windows are incredibly important and hold a profound influence on the overall feel of a property. Therefore, careful consideration must be taken when choosing window hardware.

Espag. fasteners are a type of window lock commonly used on the vertical frame of casement windows. Most newly installed windows are fitted with basic white espags. which are unsightly and prone to breakages. Swapping them with high quality handles is an effortless way to instantly update the value of your property. Below, you can see how a Black Monkeytail espag. makes this window look sleek and luxurious.

Above: From The Anvil's Black Monkeytail espag. handles.

If you have an older property, you may find that you have sash windows which are characterised by one of move moveable sashes known as panels. Traditionally, these open vertically using sash lifts or pulls. To keep in line with classic designs, consider using Aged Bronze or Aged Brass hardware.

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Bronze sash window lifts.

 Ironmongery is a great way to quickly refresh your home. If you have a wardrobe or kitchen cabinet which is looking a little lifeless, a fresh coat of paint and some high-quality hardware can instantly bring it back to life. Check out our Fitting Guides for a little guidance.

For example, by replacing a worn cabinet knob with something more interesting, like From The Anvil's Hammered Mushroom cabinet knob can completely change the look of a piece of furniture. Every single hammer mark is created by talented artisans to form a textured surface that refracts the light around it.

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Brass Hammered cabinet knob.

In a contemporary property, you can choose drawer pulls or edge pulls for a sleek and understated look. From The Anvil's Art Deco drawer pulls are a prime example and pair fabulously with this navy blue kitchen.

Above: From The Anvil's Polished Nickel Art Deco drawer pulls and Polished Nickel Prestbury cabinet knobs.

 Overview

Ironmongery is more than a finishing detail. With little effort, switching your ironmongery can completely transform the look, feel, and function of your space, so care and attention to detail should be taken when selecting your hardware. From The Anvil offers a wide range of beautiful and durable hardware which you can discover here.

Or head back to our blog for more inspiration!