An often overlooked, but extremely important feature of any home is its ironmongery, which has the potential to totally transform a property. While it may be a mere afterthought to the majority, the interior designers amongst us know that the right ironmongery can not only elevate the look, but also improve the functionality of a space.
Read on to learn how ironmongery can totally transform your property!
Pictured above: Aged Bronze Hinton Stays, Aged Bronze Hinton Fasteners.
A Brief History
Historically, ironmongery refers to the production of iron-made goods, but these days it has evolved to include the sale of items made from steel, aluminium, brass, and other metals.
For a long time, all ironmongery was hand-crafted by talented individuals called Blacksmiths, but the rise of the Industrial Revolution saw an increased demand for goods that could only be met by mass production. As a result, the late 20th century saw a decline in demand for work by the traditional Blacksmith, their work replaced with mass produced ironmongery more widely available from hardware and DIY stores.
However, at From The Anvil, we believe in the importance of preserving our history, so we continue to hand-craft all our ironmongery. Not only does this mean our ironmongery is made to an exceptionally high standard, but it also allows us to create bespoke products for our clients, like the finish on our Lion’s Head Door Knocker below. Our products range from door knobs and window furniture to curtain poles and hinges, all available in a wide range of designs and finishes.
The Importance of Ironmongery
Ironmongery is essential and, if chosen correctly, will enhance any property or interior. Too often, it’s an afterthought of a design project, leaving little time or budget to make a careful selection. For an interior that exudes luxury, allocate plenty of time to choose your finishings before starting your project, and always use high-quality products where possible.
What many people don’t realise is that you can order your doors, windows, and cabinetry without the cheap ironmongery provided as standard, and select your own products instead. Either make a request to your joiner or install the fittings yourself; the process is surprisingly easy, and we offer numerous Fitting Guides on our website!
Considering your ironmongery at an early stage gives you the time to coordinate the style and finish of your products to create a consistent theme throughout your home. Below you can see for example, how painting the cabinetry and exchanging their kitchen furnishings with our Polished Bronze ironmongery completely transforms the look, adding a touch of class and elegance.
Pictured above: before and after adding a fresh coat of paint and our Polished Bronze Mushroom Cabinet Knobs and Polished Bronze Regency Concealed Drawer Pulls.
Exterior Ironmongery
The front door is the first thing people see when they approach a property, and the right door furniture can create a long-lasting impression. To select the best ironmongery for your home, it’s important to consider both the aesthetic and the level of security you’re hoping to achieve; the best choice will optimise both.
The product finish should be taken into account before selecting the style. This is because some materials are damaged by weathering and harsh conditions and are therefore unsuitable for use outdoors. Fortunately, From The Anvil offers a wide range of finishes which are both damp- and corrosion-resistant, therefore perfect for external use. This includes our Black, Pewter, Brass and Bronze products! We also offer a signature External Beeswax finish, crafted from anti-corrosive beeswax which is unique to From The Anvil.
All our finishes are designed to enhance their surroundings. Each one is made to last, offering unrivalled quality and durability. Once you’ve decided on a finish, you can start thinking about the style…
In this modern age, we’re spoilt for choice between door knobs and lever handles, but how do we know which one is right for us?
Door knobs are a classic staple for period properties and look fantastic in a Georgian or Victorian home. Their historic beauty makes them a timeless option, and the diversity of our designs ranging means there’s a perfect style for every door! Our collection of Oval and Ball mortice/rim knob sets are among our most modest styles and work especially well against painted timber, as demonstrated below.
Door levers are a more recent advancement compared to the historic door knob but offer an extremely attractive alternative. Their ergonomic handle makes them easy to use and a great functional choice for those who may struggle operating traditional door knobs without compromising aesthetics. Lever handles offer a huge variety of designs to match any interior, including our modern Avon collection which blends seamlessly with a contemporary interior, pictured below.
A simple, but highly effective, way to bring a sense of refinery to your doorstep is by adding a decorative escutcheon to frame your keyhole. Our Polished Brass Beehive Escutcheon is an eye-catching option that provides a beautiful yet functional way to preserve the lifespan of your locks.
If you want to make a bold impression, we recommend adding a feature knocker to your front door. With more elegance than a standard doorbell, your guests are sure to make themselves known with this functional and stylish accessory. For an especially grand entrance, consider our Loop Door Knocker which brings an elegant touch to any home as shown below.
From The Anvil offers decorative letter plates in a wide selection of finishes, specifically designed to match your exterior door furniture. Whether choosing traditional Beeswax or reflective Polished Chrome, the consistent use of a single finish ties the look together, giving a sense of refinement. On the internal face of the door, letter plate covers can be fitted to limit drafts and noise pollution.
Pictured above: Windsor Door Knocker, Oval Mortice/Rim Knob Set, Black Small Letter Plate, Black Loop Door Knocker, Black Large Letter Plate, Black Octagonal Mortice/Rim Knob Set.
Interior Ironmongery
Although we’ve focused on front doors so far, it’s important to remember our internal doors too; after all, it’s the inside that counts! For this reason, it’s essential to select high-quality ironmongery that not only looks good but is also functional and long-lasting. Often, interior designers will coordinate the internal ironmongery with the external door furniture. This creates a harmonious flow throughout the property to add a truly luxurious feel. At From The Anvil we have a range of handles suitable for both internal and external use in various finishes, including Polished Nickel, Satin Chrome, and Rosewood. Or if you want to try something different, why not choose a combination of different styles to give your property an eccentric twist? For a real wow factor contrast our sleek Straight selection with one of our decorative Tudor handles.
Windows are a major feature of most homes and can have a significant impact on the overall feel of a property, so it’s important to accessorise them with the correct window furniture. Careful consideration should be taken to choose options that combine style with functionality.
Espagnolettes are a type of locking device, frequently used on the vertical frame of traditional casement windows. Most windows are installed with basic white espagnolettes which stand out and add no value to the property. Exchanging them for high-quality ironmongery can instantly update your home. Our exquisite Peardrop Espagnolettes are a brilliant example of this, shown below in Satin Chrome. The coordination with the matching Satin Chrome Peardrop Stays elevates the overall appearance of the window to a much higher standard.
From The Anvil produces many different styles of window fasteners and espagnolettes which can be used to complement various interior styles. For example, the ornate design of our Hinton collection is inspired by original Georgian designs, making them ideal finishings for a period home.
If your property has sash windows, you’ll need alternative window furniture. Sash windows are characterised by one or more moveable panels known as ‘sashes’ and are often found in older properties dating back to Georgian or Victorian eras. Traditionally these windows are opened vertically using sash lifts. To fully appreciate the history of these windows, we recommend choosing sash lifts in a subtle Aged Bronze finish, like these! Aged brass offers an abundance of character for period properties and is made from a solid bronze alloy. Due to the process used to age the metal, the finished products are very dark with a rich, matt appearance.
If your kitchen cupboards are looking a little dull and lifeless, consider a fresh coat of paint and some high-quality ironmongery to bring them back to life!
Changing the cabinet handles is a simple, yet extremely effective, way to refresh your furniture without having to replace it – this saves you both time and money! It’s also incredibly easy to do and we have plenty of fitting guides available on our website to help you, which you can find here!
Our collection of Hammered Mushroom Cabinet Knobs are available in Aged Brass, Aged Bronze, Polished Bronze, Polished Chrome, and Polished Nickel, Beeswax, ideal for pairing with both dark and pastel colour schemes. Part of our Blacksmith Range, these knobs are hammered by hand to give them their unique, textural shape, and their versatile design is suitable for any home interior.
In modern properties, a minimalist design will produce a greater impact and enhance the overall aesthetic. Our Aged Brass Art Deco Drawer Pulls are understated but chic, making them the ideal candidate for a contemporary home. The image below shows the breath-taking contrast of these pulls against navy blue kitchen furniture, but in a Polished Chrome finish they also pair flawlessly with black, or smoky grey cabinetry.
For a truly high-end feel, coordinate your cabinet furniture and accessories with our matching curtain poles, door stops, hooks, and more! Your guests are bound to appreciate your exceptional attention to detail!
Summary
Ironmongery is so much more than a finishing detail; it’s something we use every day to add functionality to our homes, and an opportunity for us to express our style. Ironmongery should be considered during the planning stages of a project, with plenty of time and care, and chosen to complement the existing interior and hardware. However, it’s never too late to elevate your ironmongery and From The Anvil offers a wide range of durable products designed to last a lifetime. With an extensive selection of designs and finishes, we have products to suit every interior, and our bespoke services allow you to customise our ironmongery to your exact specifications.
To view example properties that have been transformed using From The Anvil ironmongery, explore our Garden Cottage Transformation, Meadowside Transformation, and In Conversation With @studiorhodesinteriors blogs.
For any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch using the contact information below – our staff are happy to help!
Email: info@fromtheanvil.co.uk
Instagram: @fromtheanvil
