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1 January 2021
Knurled Handles for an Industrial Look
As interior design trends move further toward the dark and dramatic, we’re taking a look at one of the most sought-after recent interior accents: Knurled design.
Knurled handles and knobs impart a timeless industrial feel to interiors and pieces of furniture, and we’re seeing these pieces used to great effect on some of the most impressive interior fit outs and installs this year. Knurling is a process of lathe cutting to add traction and grip to an oft-touched part. Knurled knobs have been used on machines and tooling in factories for well over a century, and there’s something comfortingly familiar about their no-nonsense appearance, yet they feel interestingly complicated to the hand.
The use of knurled cabinetware on kitchen cabinets suggests uncomplicated and yet comfortable function and design, which is something that resonates with many of us in these turbulent times. We are seeing a firm favourite combination emerge in knurled design with satin brass and matt black finishes. These two flat, monobloc finishes work well with the actually quite intricate-yet-symmetrical knurl cut into the face or sides of the piece, offsetting the geometric design with flat, understated elegance.
Interior design trends have once again embraced the warm tones of brass, bronze and nickel, erring away from the bright polished gold finishes and cold chromes, in favour of more muted, reassuring and warm colours. The knurled trend embraces this move and our knurled handles are available in various brass, black, nickel and bronze finishes.
Knurled door handles and cabinet handles are versatile, and they can be dressed up or down. They can play well to both dark and light tones in an interior, however, given their relatively complex and geometric nature, knurled handles are best when paired with simple woodwork, such as shaker or plain block design kitchens, and flat panel doors, or doors with shaker elements and little or no intricate beading.
When planning an interior with post-industrial themes, think about the elements that make something ‘industrial’ to look at. Uncomplicated design themes, and generally darker tones are key here. Accent your design, but try to keep a running theme for example use stripped back, skeletal pieces such as angle-poise and tripod lamps, and uncomplicated wall mounted light fittings. Ceiling-mounted pendant lights can be used to great effect here to create pools of light, and the cables connecting multiple pendants in a row will add to the industrialist theme.
The trend towards darker colours in modern interiors is striking, and can be daunting for those used to working to create light and airy interiors. Many people worry that they may create something that is dull, rather than dark and moody, however with the right colours and accents used well, it is difficult to go wrong.
