If you’re stumped on what hardware to pick for your kitchen cabinets, British housewares designer Matilda Goad has an opinion. Ahead of her new Hardware Store pop-up in London’s Notting Hill (it’ll run through September 26 and play host to a series of DIY workshops), we asked her if there are any trends she’s tired of seeing—and she delivered.
“The really dull wood knobs that are painted in with the color of the joinery…it just feels like a wasted opportunity when you could add some character by way of color or material,” she says. Her take could be considered a bit controversial, as there are many beautiful kitchens following this route lately (the lovely kitchen of Loeffler Randall’s founder, Jessie Randall, is proof). But that’s the beauty of interior design—there are 999,999 other routes to follow.
Goad’s current obsession? Combining her star-shaped brass backplates with matching metal knobs. Think of it as going about a monochromatic look a bit differently. “It can only elevate a door or piece of joinery,” she says. “I love the look of the brass on brass, and it really pops on every cabinet color.”
Despite the fact that Goad thinks of hardware like jewelry for your home, she still puts function first. “Would a bar handle be more suited than a knob, and if so, what length? I really am one for doing things outside the box, and I don’t like having design rules, but do consider the style of the piece and what it sits around,” she advises.
Star Brass Backplate, Matilda Goad ($20)
Hardware aside, there’s one rule to follow if you want to inject some of Goad’s iconic British style into your own kitchen. “In the U.K., far fewer people use interior designers, so we are a little more ‘make do and mend,’ maybe splashing out on a new dining table but using a dresser that was inherited,” she says. Specifically, she suggests working a few unexpected pieces into the kitchen can go a long way (“Lamps on countertops are essential”). Her final hot tip: Hang paintings and mirrors as a way to inject some extra personality. “It’s a good way to soften things up and make everything feel less sterile,” she says.
