There are so many details when we renovate or build a new home. One such detail is hardware. Whether it be hidden in the form of hinges or magnetic underfloor doorstops (no more stubbing those toes!), or more elaborate handles and knobs adorning our entrances and cabinetry. Even just updating the hardware on a tired piece of furniture can take it to a new level.
I am lucky to work with a number of suppliers who meet the needs of so many budgets, needs and styles. One of which is Lisa Tuersley who supplies beautiful European Hardware from brands like Jolie and Formani through her family run company Two Tease Architectural Hardware in Sydney's North. Lisa has kindly sat down to answer a few of our questions about the trends and indeed some of the challenges she sees coming through in relation to hardware, in particular European hardware in the Australian market and I thought that it would be great to share these insights.
Photo and Styling @emma_stergoulis_design
1. Market Reception and Trends
What trends are you seeing in the Australian market in terms of demand for European hardware? Are there any specific features or designs that are gaining popularity?
"I think the demand is driven by finish. At present there is a lot of bronze whether it be aged bronze or powdercoat bronze such as that found in Formani. The other big draw card is unlacquered natural brass and brass cast in sand like our Jolie Collection. High end projects like to specify designer handles such as Piet Boon who has designed 4 Collection with Formani: ONE, TWO, INC and ARC. "
Photo and Styling @emma_stergoulis_design
2. Design Preferences and Differences
Do you have any insight into differences in design preferences between your Australian customers compared to the European base. For example, are certain finishes or styles more popular in one market than the other?
"The European market is less “matchy matchy” they do not get caught up on every metal element being of the same finish. This mind set tends to be more evident amongst home renovators in the Australian market who I believe like to play it safe and do not draw on the complexity of design with finishes, textures and the like that is found when detailed by a professional in the industry is at the helm. Obviously nothing wrong with matching finishes but the Europeans appear quite relaxed about having a SSS lock face (on the edge of the door) with a bronze handle on the face of the door). With cabinet handles the tendency is often to match them to the tapware. I can’t tell you how many times as an example a retail client is concerned that their sink is SSS and will it look funny with a Bronze, Gold etc handle."
3. Cultural and Practical Influences
Do Australian cultural and lifestyle factors influence the selection and popularity of European hardware in this market?
" I think the only factor is our harsh coastal climate that can throw strong prevailing winds to projects. Satin Nickel finishes are never recommended in this case. Formani and M&T both offer PVD finishes (Physical Vapour Deposition), with Formani releasing a beautiful new PVD Light Bronze recently. These PVD finishes are proving to be more durable than a 316 SSS. PVD increases the products longevity even in an SSS with a PVD application. With cabinet handles it is less of an issue but I have seen economical brands of SSS handles in a laundry tea-stain. The quality of a SSS finish depends on the quality. A good quality satin finish on stainless steel is denoted by the level of grit used to brush the steel to create that low sheen and brushed appearance. The finer the grit the better the quality and the less chance for imperfections when there is no PVD present. Like everything, maintenance is key."
Are there any practical considerations, such as climate or typical home design, that affect how European hardware is used in Australia compared to Europe?
"To deliver a project of hardware and ensure that everything is streamline and consistent, it is bests to work with a supplier and provide them with a good overview. Hardware is the marriage of many components that all need to work in harmony. At Two Tease Architectural Hardware, we like to work with the floor plan and the door schedule so I can understand the project and the position of each door. For me the end look and detail are important. This is not as relevant for cabinet hardware which is more autonomous when selected as there are less variables. The only variable to consider is batch matching in an aged brass finish."
Photo and Styling @emma_stergoulis_design
4. Challenges
Have you encountered any challenges in supplying European hardware to the Australian market, such as differences in standards or installation practices? Do they see costs as a factor or request Australian made?
"One of the challenges we face in supplying European handles in the Australian market are the Australian Standards. As an example, other brands claim that all their handles are fire rated up to 4 hours but when you get the test report, they may have only tested 4 handles from their entire range. It is allegedly believed that an Australian fire burns differently to those in Europe (chuckle). Even though European handles are fire tested, like the Formani Collection, the European test is not valid here in Australia.
Installation methodology is a big factor in comparison to the European market who primarily work with mortice style latches as opposed to tubular latches. Checking out for a tubular latch is with a chisel and relies on the precision of the carpenter. Many carpenters do not install enough hardware to know anything else but tubular latches and tubular bolts but in Europe with long face plates that have curved ends, carpenters use routers and jigs/templates to provide accuracy. Unfortunately, the carpentry that surrounds the installation of door hardware is a small module when doing a carpentry apprenticeship in Australia. It would be nice to have carpenters major in a preferred skill set eg: framing, fitoff carpentry and detailed items such as door hardware. In the UK, I believe this is more commonly called 1st fix and 2nd fix. I have come across very skilled British and Irish tradesmen here in Australia.
Australian made is not easy to find unless it is bespoke work undertaken by local forgers. There are Australian manufacturers on non-metal handles (eg: clay and leather) but the picking of Australian non-ferrous and ferrous metal door hardware and cabinet hardware manufacturer’s is very slim at present. Australian owned is not Australian made. Australian designed is not Australian made and these are the draw card that some companies rely on. Some companies may have a small range that is Australian made. Eg: timber wood turned handles but don’t do a complete collection of metal door hardware and cabinet hardware that is manufactured in Australia. One has to ask, were does the metal come from? We want to support Australian made but the question is how deep do we want to dive into the conversation and which element of our home are most critical to support Australian made.
As mentioned, door hardware is a marriage of components, and it is our job at Two Tease Architectural Hardware to ensure that the components work harmonious together. When representing Formani, Jolie and M&T in the Australian market it was our job to ensure that this marriage worked and source the components that filled any gap thus ensuring a smooth and streamline supply from our door hardware schedule.
Here is a link to our BLOG that your readers may like that specifically relates to European Hardware in the Australian market that particularly gives insight to renovations using existing doors."
5. Future
How do you anticipate the demand for European cabinet hardware evolving in Australia over the next few years? Do you expect any particular styles or trends to gain traction?
"That crystal ball is too hard to predict. There are too many design styles from farmhouse style, classic elegance, mid century modern, to minimalist design. I am not sure that there will never be a defining trend. At the high end each project is different. While some designers stick to their favourites’ others like to push out and source different handles that suit each project. With cabinet hardware it depends on the kitchen/joinery design. Not every project needs a Formani BOSCO cabinet handle of solid unlacquered brass detailed with Carrara Marble. Some designs call for the flourish of cabinet handles and others don’t. The integrated fridge seen in many kitchen design calls for a Pull Handle and this may play the hero in this case with all other cabinets being free of cabinet handles. Cabinet handles are both functional and can have an impact on the overall aesthetic and enhancing the room much like the finish touch of jewellery to an outfit or pillows and a throw on a lounge. As a side note, I do wonder whether the interest in knurled cabinet handles will dissipate. People may like the texture but from a practical viewpoint they are not ideal in a kitchen where many hands and often not clean ones are touching them. "
About Two Tease
Two Tease is a traditional family business with a history deep in Australian building and interior design.
Two Tease owners combine decades of industry experience. They started the Two Tease journey in 2018, with the aim of providing specifiers with the very best in architectural hardware, expanding the choices available to those working in luxury homes and commercial properties.
In October 2018, Two Tease partnered with Jolie Handles from Belgium to bring the craftsmanship of their solid brass, sand-cast cabinet handles and accessories to Australia and New Zealand. Later that year, Two Tease signed an agreement to offer M&T door handles, crafted in solid brass and stainless steel with 15 different finishes including PVD and Titanium black.
Arrangements followed with Belgian premium pivot hinge and concealed hinge innovators Argenta and the Dutch red dot design winning door handle makers Formani. With its superior service, product knowledge and a true passion for these premium exclusive collections, Two Tease quickly became the new favourite in the architectural hardware world.
#hardware #renovation #interiordesign #joinery #cabinethandles #doorfurniture #heritageproperty #luxuryinteriors
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