Thought you knew how to use your ironmongery? Think again!
At From The Anvil, we offer a wide array of high-quality ironmongery and accessories, ranging from curtain poles and door handles, and cabinet knobs to coat hooks. We’ve compiled some alternative ways to use these products which is a great way to create interest using ironmongery beyond the uses they were intended for! Read on to find out more…
As the name suggests, curtain rods are traditionally used to keep curtains in place, but that’s not their only function. Why not convert your windowsill into an indoor greenhouse and hang your house plants on a curtain pole in a nice, bright spot warmed by the sun. Our Curtain Poles are forged from solid steel meaning they have the strength to hold a whole lot of potted plants! We suggest using sturdy ‘S’ hooks, or macrame hangers to hold your plants, like the ones pictured below. Coordinate the look with our Leaf Curtain Finials in a matching Beeswax finish or create contrast with a rich Pewter finish.
Read our Curtain Furniture Explained blog for more information!
From The Anvil has a vast selection of curtain finials available, from our simplistic Ball Range to our sophisticated Shepherd's Crook design. With so many styles and finishes to choose from, we have the perfect finials for every curtain pole, with various products designed to match, including cabinet knobs, door handles, and coat hooks. What many people don’t realise is that our curtain finials can be the perfect substitute for the standard end caps supplied with our Pull Handles to create further consistency throughout your home! Our Hammered Ball Finials are a flawless example of this as demonstrated below and look even better when matched to our Hammered Mushroom Cabinet Knobs.
Large pull handles are a modern option for entrance doors as their simplistic design is both stylish and practical. Aside from their conventional use, pull handles can be incredibly useful in the kitchen; when attached sideways to a wall, they can function as tea-towel or dishcloth holders. This idea is both aesthetically appealing and space saving, and the theme can be carried to the bathroom where a larger pull handle can serve as a towel rail! Our T Bar Range is ideal for this purpose as they’re forged from stainless steel which offers unrivalled corrosion resistance, making them suitable for use in damp kitchen or bathroom environments. With the choice of matt black, polished, or satin stainless steel, these pull handles are an effective and practical way to add a contemporary twist to your home, especially when coordinated with your existing ironmongery.
Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best, like how these Cup Hooks, whose original purpose is to hang mugs and other kitchenware, have been reimagined to create an art wall. This piece displays interesting botanical prints, making a wonderful statement on this brick wall in a Pewter finish which emphasises their ornamental twist. These hooks also look brilliant when contrasted against natural wood and used to display a variety of products including decorative cups and vibrant kitchenware as demonstrated below.
The versatility of wall hooks should not be underestimated as they have useful applications throughout the home. For example, our Celtic Single Robe Hooks are the ideal size for use as curtain tiebacks. Properties that have limited space around their windows may struggle using traditional tiebacks since they’re quite wide; using robe hooks instead is an ingenious idea due to their compact size. Below, we show how our Black Celtic Single Robe Hooks have been used to neaten a pair of curtains.
Another way to add interest to your hooks is by placing them on a decorative plaque. Larger hooks, such as our Hat & Coat Hooks, work best for this and look particularly effective against a neutral background. We love how these Pewter Hat & Coat Hooks look against these distressed pieces of wood and create a striking contrast of textures. While Pewter works well in modern properties, our Beeswax finish is an attractive alternative for rustic homes and can be paired with matching ironmongery accessories to truly elevate the look.
An often overlooked and underappreciated piece of ironmongery is the shelf bracket. In reality, these items are capable of so much more and one of our favourite uses is in the stairwell, where shelf brackets can be used as a decorative way to support a handrail. Our Black Handrail Brackets are a fantastic example of this, as demonstrated by @farrow_and_dale_oak_frames in the images below.
By now, you should have some idea of how versatile ironmongery can be! High-quality ironmongery adds the finishing touch to any property when used as intended, but it’s important to remember that there are plenty of other ways to use these products!
Thinking outside of the box and finding creative ways to use your ironmongery is an excellent way to add interest to a space, particularly when the styles and finishes are coordinated throughout!
If you’d like to try these ideas yourself, explore our range of From The Anvil Ironmongery, or take a look at our Gallery for more information.
Email: info@fromtheanvil.co.uk
Instagram: @fromtheanvil
