June 25, 2025
Functional Beauty: Hardware That Does More Than Look Good
Often considered the jewelry of the built environment, hardware—be it a door lockset, a kitchen cabinet knob, or a curtain rod—serves a functional purpose while also adding a decorative touch that enhances a project’s aesthetic. Here, we highlight a few new hardware products that are both eye-catching and highly practical, exemplifying the perfect balance of form and function.
Ellis
Keeler Brass
The Empire Series from Keeler Brass bears artisanal touches—such as hammered and knurled detailing—that hint at the brand’s heritage as a small family foundry from the 1890s. Among the collections from this decorative hardware line, which was inspired by New York City localities, Ellis comprises eight pulls, a T knob, and a round knob constructed of solid brass with a reeded texture that’s accentuated by slightly darker recesses.
Loki
Krownlab
At once both elegant and industrial-chic, this low-profile sliding barn door system features a streamlined design that conceals the wheels and fasteners of the system’s trolleys and two-part track. Loki is competitively priced and is compatible with wood, glass, metal, and other types of doors weighing up to 200 pounds. It is available in brushed stainless steel and black stainless steel finishes.
EMPowered 2 Touch
Emtek
A smart, touchpad-based access-control system, EMPowered 2 Touch offers even greater convenience with its biometric fingerprint technology, which boasts 99 percent accuracy and unlocks doors in under half a second. It stores up to 20 programmed fingerprints and pairs with select keyed or key-free dead bolts or complete entry sets. The sleek, minimalist pad is available in seven finishes, including unlacquered brass, oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome, and flat black.
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