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December 2014 ForResidentialPros.com | 43 that the exterior appearance of the kitchen or bath is always the primary consideration of homeowners but, more than ever, they are aware of the various options that are available from a hardware standpoint. Utilization of space in cabinets and drawers is a primary concern, and there are plenty of hardware inserts to meet these needs." With the choices available, the possibilities are endless, and hardware must be capable of handling all of these options. "If homeowners have done their homework, they're going to know there's a wide variety of options in designing the interior of the space as well as the movement or functionality during the opening and closing process," says Fitzpatrick. EASY AND EFFICIENT Functional hardware must perform well, creating doors and drawers that work efortlessly for the end user. Soft-close and touch-to-open mechanisms are key elements in this type of hardware, as is anything that can bring more efciency, manu- facturers say. "Products with features that can save the customer time, whether in installation or adjustment, are getting more atten- tion," says Travis McElveen, functional product manager for Bossier City, LA-based Hardware Resources. "This is one reason why our Dura-Close soft-close slide has been such a hit. It makes a time-consuming, often frustrating, process of installing and dialing in soft-close ball bearing slides much easier." Soft close goes beyond just hinges on cabinet doors, but is expected on slides and organizers as well, he adds. Steve Regele, v.p./sales and marketing for Blum Inc. in Stanley, NC agrees. "Trends we are experiencing in functional hardware include integrated soft-close hinges and integrated soft-close full-extension drawer runners," he says. Most cabinet manufacturers are ofering these features at all price points, from builder lines to custom cabinet lines, he adds. Touch- to-open doors and drawers are also on the rise, with either electronic or mechanical components, Regele notes. Hossli believes that everything should have soft-close func- tionality. "It simply provides a more comfortable use of doors, drawers and anything that moves. It is becoming more aford- able to motorize devices, as well, so it's just a matter of time before we'll see doors move and drawers open by waving our hand to initiate the action," he states. McPeek is seeing a continual pull toward the soft-closing components, especially electric-assist attachments, which have been incorporated into several of the company's waste contain- ers. These attachments, which require electricity, allow the user to simply tap the front of the cabinet and it opens automatically. Another tap shuts the door. Along the same lines is Rev-A-Shelf's patented gas-assist mechanism, Rev-A-Motion. This assists in the same way with opening and closing the cabinet, but does not require electricity. Fitzpatrick states that soft close is still a growing demand for the cabinet industry, and the mechanism must have adjust- ability so that cabinet doors, regardless of weight or size, can all be consistent in their closing action. EUROPEAN INFLUENCES Innovations that have been available for some time in Europe are slowly making their way to the North American market, having an impact on emerging hardware trends. "Increasingly, we are seeing European infuences in U.S. kitchen design, both in cabinet construction and styling as well as in functional and decorative hardware trends," says Van Wyk. "Historically, European styling has been understood North River Mint is adding 20 new sculptured decorative hardware designs by Corrine Weinberg, owner/partner of the frm. The Japanese knob and pull collection is lead-free and handmade in the U.S. from jewelers metal. Shown is the ancient bronze patina. Circle No. 170 on Product Card Doug Mockett & Co.'s Grip Rail Drawer Pull is fashioned from aluminum. The DP215 aluminum extrusion does not require any routing of the drawer, screws in from the top and is cut to size. The pull is made to order from 5" up to 6'. Circle No. 167 on Product Card Premier Hardware Designs' new Acanthus Collection of solid pewter cabinet hardware includes matching 12" and 6" appliance pulls, 3" cabinet pull, cup pull and knob. Each piece is hand cast and hand fnished in the U.S., and available in nine designer fnishes. Circle No. 168 on Product Card Cabinet knobs and pulls from Barz Decorative Hardware are conceived and created by artist Pete Barszcz. The pieces are crafted from lead-free pewter, and each can be fnished in a variety of pewter, nickel, brass, bronze or copper fnishes. Each piece is available in any of 22 fnishes. The frm has added new oversized pulls to its collection. Circle No. 169 on Product Card The 'All That Glitters' Crystal Collection from Topex Design features distinctively cut Swarovski crystal knobs and pulls. Each piece captures and releases colors diferently. The collection includes 21 knobs and pulls along with a full line of crystal bath accessories. Circle No. 172 on Product Card Sietto's newly introduced Reed pulls, fashioned from glass, are shown in light aqua, white and black. The pulls are handcrafted in the U.S. Circle No. 171 on Product Card Accuride International has introduced the enhanced 3832 Easy-Close (EC) slide, which has been re-engineered to include new features while ofering smoother movement and soft-close action. Components were refned to eliminate drag and friction. The Easy-Close mechanism has been reshaped, resized or replaced, and the mechanism housing the material has been strengthened. Circle No. 176 on Product Card The Brenton collection of decorative hardware, part of the Elements series from Hardware Resources, includes one round knob with geometric focal points and four distinctive pulls. All pieces are available in six fnishes: Brushed Chrome, Brushed Pewter, Gun Metal, Brushed Oil Rubbed Bronze, Polished Chrome and Satin Nickel. Circle No. 175 on Product Card The Weymouth bathroom suite of products from Moen now includes decorative cabinet knobs and 3" drawer pulls. The hardware sports traditional details and is available in four fnishes: Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Polished Nickel. Circle No. 174 on Product Card "Creations" by Alno Inc.'s new Cube Collection series features two knobs as well as a range of cup pulls, pulls and appliance pulls in seven sizes. Finishes include: Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Satin Nickel, Bronze, Chocolate Bronze, Polished Bronze and Polished Bronze/ Nonlacquered. Circle No. 173 on Product Card