Still brainstorming on how to do a cost-effective paint/hardware update for my kitchen cabinets, I thought I'd try to choose a knob that is the same finish as my hinges, which are exposed. This seems better than hunting down new hinges in this 3/4" inset that is no longer made, and I'm not keen on the idea of spraypainting the hinges either.
After checking out what I thought was all knobs displayed at both Home Depot and Rona, I stumbled across a knobs display in the kitchen display area of Home Depot today. To my delight I found one knob with a finish that matches my hinge, still in my purse, exactly. Howeever, I was shocked when the HD rep told me the price: $30 per knob. With a look of disbelief on my face, he voluntarily checked again, and confirmed the price, saying that was actually pretty good since the MSRP or whatever is listed at around $57, and it is a "SPECIAL ORDER" item. The manufacturer, by the way, is Kraftmaid, and the finish is called aged bronze. It looks heaps nicer in person, but the price!
Wow. Am I the only one that thinks this is kind of a lot for a knob like this?
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That also sounds like what Borat would say :biglol:
Here are the pics DD took with her camera in the store for me, which show how much nicer the knob (#7034) looks in person.
Oh well. I have lots of time to keep looking. Hardware manufacturers seem to be putting out a lot more knobs in several different bronze finishes to go with the stone and slate looks for counters and floors, so I'm thinking I'll find a good match in about a year's time.
As Viktor Navorski (played by Tom Hanks in The Terminal) would say, I WAIT. :laugh:
My hubby and I were at this store in the US and found knobs that we really liked and were shocked to hear that they were about $38US each. For us to buy 50 of them would have been crazy. We ended up buying ours at Lee Valley for about $7 each...gave us the look we wanted and we saved a ton. Keep looking. I think Lee Valley or Ebay would be good bets. Good luck :)
Doesn't surprise me at all I paid more than that for mine for the bathroom vanity but I only needed 4 so I went for it.
Richelieu Hardware sells them or something similar.
[url]http://www.richelieu.com/produit/index.php[/url]
Call them with the model number and colour.
I think what bugs me about the price of this cabinet knob the most is when I think about people going to a builder store like HD for cabinet replacement instead of a 'boutiquey' kitchen design store, and get the Kraftmaid knobs with their chosen Kraftmaid cabinets without looking closely at the price breakdown. I know there are a lot of designer knobs out there, particularly at exclusive shops, but I don't expect this price at a place that people flock to for DIY savings.
I'll keep looking, and I'll keep that hinge in my purse until I find something. If I end up using spraypaint as a solution, I'll definitely spray the hinges, not the knobs that get handled every day. The hinges I have look like antique brass with a bit of a custom spraypaint to match my brown wood cabinets on only the part of the hinge that shows. I think I have a better chance with going darker with paint on the hinges than trying to make them white. (seems one would start with chrome hinges if they were spraypainting white) Hidden hinges (european?) would be my first choice, but it's too pricey for my budget to convert. White hinges are my second choice, and I'll keep an open mind about hunting some down. But for now, it looks like I'l have to settle for dark hinges.
I do see a lot of bronze options in knobs on the internet, but from my comparisons in HD and Rona so far I figure it's best to see the finish in person to determine a good match. If I ordered over the internet I suspect I'd be doing a lot of returns by mail. (I have checked ebay and Lee Valley)
It doesn't surprise me either..........when we were looking for handles for our bathroom vanity, my DH just about had a seizure when he saw the prices......of course, we ended up getting cheaper ones, but I must say they are accessories that compliment the furniture, just like say a pair of earrings will do to an outfit you're wearing, so you can't really go too cheap. ;)
Nope, doesn't surprise me. Doesn't mean I'd pay for them, but doesn't surprise me.
If you could get hinges in a different metal would that work for you? I have found hinges at places like Restore or salvage places. There are lots of people who need the older hinges (I was one of them who had that realization that sometimes there was a reason the old style were still on the doors). I know the came in shiny chrome and I believe black as well so you might be able to find those which would open the options for handles and knobs.
Otherwise, I find the best prices and assortments of knobs to be in shops that specialize in that sort of thing (and Lee Valley). I think they are normally listed under 'hardware' or 'kitchen hardware' in the phone book.
The big box stores just can't compete IMO so I always try a handle shop first (besides I found a double towel rack in the one here that was selling for $20 less than Linens & Things so that gives you a sense of how you can save). Last time I did knobs they actually had a special shipment of the knobs I was wanting for $1 each (compared to $4 each at Rona). BEsides the specialty shops have all sorts of dodads that might help you get around those hinges too.
On Ebay -- starting bid is $1.98!!
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/Aged-Bronze-Cabinet-Hardware-Knob-K-2009-DORB_W0QQitemZ320100003158QQihZ011QQcategoryZ41974QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]
You could contact the seller and ask how many are available (there are quite a few listed) and if you can just buy them outright.
Just found this listing on the sellers site -- you can buy them for $1.98, and there are over 8,000 available!!
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/Distressed-Aged-Bronze-Cabinet-Knob-K-2009-DORB_W0QQitemZ220003098679QQcategoryZ41974QQcmdZViewItem[/url]
HOLY CRAP!...that's insane...but i feel your pain Dawn...i need to change the hardware on my kitchen cabinets too...and anything i find that i like costs an arm and a leg...i agree with jan when you're told ''an inexpensive update''...yea right...not when you're got 56 pieces to change!...i'm sure there is some out there...have you tried looking at smaller hardware stores?..like a Home Hardware..or Millwork...sometimes the smaller places have a good selection
Holy crap -- $30?!??! That's insane. I replaced 47 handles on our kitchen cabinets -- if they were $30 a pop, that would have cost me almost $1,500!!!! :eek:
How many do you need?? Are you looking for knobs only, or handles as well?? There must be similar knobs & handles out there for a lot less. Have you checked Ebay??
Painting the hinges would be a relatively simple job. Clean them, spray them with primer, and then spray them with the finish colour that you want.
That's just plain crazy! I've seen hand made knobs that didn't cost that much. Have you checked out the Lee Valley catalogue? It always drives me crazy when the designers suggest changing all your hardware in the kitchen - "it's an inexpensive way to ...." Nothing cheap about it imo. It adds up.