Coastal Hardware

Sometimes it's the little things, the smallest details, that mean the most. Case in point: finding just the right hardware for your home. Those finishing touches--door knobs, hooks, cabinet hardware--really pull things together in the same way that the right necklace or belt can make or break an outfit. If you're trying to create a cottagey/coastal vibe, you may find some inspiration here.

Let's start with door hardware. When I saw the photo of this home in the Beacon Hill section of Boston, I couldn't get over how cute the horseshoe crab door knocker was. I found something very similar (2), the Colby Smith Horseshoe Crab Door Knocker, at Door Knockers & Bells for $140. It's solid brass and comes in a nickel or an oiled bronze finish.  But if you'd rather have a doorbell than a knocker, it would be hard to resist this Painted Seahorse Doorbell (4) from Sunland Home Decor for only $18. Moving inside, I just love this vintagey crystal doorknob. It reminds me of the doorknobs in the house where I grew up. The Filmore Crystal Doorknob (3) is from MyKnobs.com. It's $120. Finally, who could resist this  Glass Bubble Doorknob (1) in "mint" from Anthropologie for $32? 

Hooks are great for hanging everything from coats to bags to towels. Many beach cottages are low on closet space, which makes having alternative storage even more important. For a vintage look, the Bubble Glass Double Hook (5) from World Market is both practical and attractive--and a bargain at $7. I've shown this octopus Eight-Arm Hook (6) priced at $48 from Anthropologie in another post, but I couldn't resist going back to it. Along the same lines, these cast iron Seahorse Hooks (7) from At West End are really cute ($12). Sometimes it pays to think outside the box a little. Boat cleats make great hooks. These Sea Dog Galvanized Cleats (8) from West Marine start at $1.99 depending on size.

We usually think of cabinet hardware in terms of kitchens. But drawer pulls and knobs can be used in a number of different ways. For example, a fresh set of knobs on an old dresser can make it look like a whole new piece of furniture. I'm back to Anthropologie again with this Simmered Glass Knob (9). The color shown here is "mint", but it comes 8 other colors including pink and clear--$10. You can never go wrong with a classic bin pull (10). The Dakota Cup Pull is from Knobs & Hardware. It comes in three colors including Antique Pewter and Oil Rubbed Bronze for $6.39. This Turquoise Ceramic and Metal Knob (11) is from World Market. A set of two is $8. For a knob with a subtle coastal motif, I like this Nautilus Cabinet Knob. It's available through Amazon.com. A single knob is $3.40 or you can by a set of 25 for $131.

© Salt Marsh Cottage 2013