1970 kitchen renovation | installing cabinet hardware

by | Jun 5, 2023 | 1970 home renovation, home improvement, Kitchen, My House, Tutorials | 29 comments

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Last weekend, Jeff and I took some time to put the hardware on the cabinets  We have put a lot of hardware on furniture and cabinets over the years, so we knew this was a task we could manage ourselves.  We were also working with two different styles and a few different hardware sizes, so I wanted to ensure I could take my time to determine the correct placement on each cabinet and drawer.  It would be somewhat tedious due to my own uncertainty on a few things, so it would be better for us to install it ourselves instead of dragging someone else into the lets-try-it-in-the-center-again process.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

As a reminder, THESE are the crystal and brass knobs I selected for the cabinets and a few of the drawers and THESE are the unlacquered brass pulls I ordered for the drawers, appliances, and select cabinets.  I did a lot of browsing and comparison shopping on different pulls and, ultimately, these are the two I kept coming back to and I decided it was worth the splurge.  The hardware is, after all, the jewelry that finishes off the cabinets.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

I will admit that I doubted myself when we were first installing two different kinds of hardware side-by-side, but I love the result.  It looks intentional, yet has a collected feel that is a bit more interesting than having all of the knobs matching or even from the same collection.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

Installing the knobs on the cabinet doors was easy.  We were able to use a plastic template made for installing hardware.  I’ve had a few different ones in my kit for years to use on furniture and one ended up being the perfect configuration.  (My templates are similar to THESE.)  With the template, I just put it on the corner of the cabinet and drill in the same place over and over.  It takes out all of the measuring, guesswork, and minor variations in placement from knob to knob.

The pulls were going to be a bit trickier because the hardware was too wide for any of my templates. Jeff and I discussed a few different options and, in the end, he made two templates out of some scrap 1/4″ mdf.  He made one that would work for the thinner drawers and one that would work for the taller drawers.  Using a template would ensure each pull was centered on the drawer and they would all line up.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

Because we were working with different drawer widths, I went before him and measured and marked the center of the drawers on a piece of tape.  He then lined up the center point of the template with the mark on the tape.

It was definitely a nail-biter drilling into our brand-new cabinets, which were the single largest purchase of the kitchen, but you can’t install hardware without drilling some holes!  And they are absolutely beautiful.  They really brought the cabinets to life.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

I decided to use pulls centered on the upper cabinets flanking the range for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I though a pull would be best for the appliance garages.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

And second, the cabinets on the right have a little secret.  Instead of being one cabinet with doors that open away from each other, they are two skinnier cabinets with doors that both open to the right.  This makes them easier to access and cabinet knobs installed in the bottom corner of each cabinet aren’t going to give it away.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

A few people have asked about accessing these cabinets and it really isn’t any more of an issue than it would’ve been if we had installed a corner cabinet.  It occupies the same space and I have to use a step ladder either way.  We are going to keep a slim step ladder hanging in the basement stairwell so I can easily get it when needed.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

Our contractor ended up working at our house on Saturday to finish up some things in the kitchen and the basement, so we are nearing the finish line.  The floors will get another sanding and a final coat of finish on Tuesday and then I’ll be able to paint the trim and start bringing the furniture in.  I cannot wait to see the antique baker’s table and the pine hutch in this room.  We’re still going to have to wait a couple more weeks on the window, but that delay will soon be a distant memory.

installing hardware on kitchen cabinets | 1970 kitchen renovation | miss mustard seed

I’ll share more about the cabinets we selected and how we have customized them later this week.

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    29 Comments

    1. Teresa

      You have made some beautiful decisions on every detail! I’m curious what you plan to use for backsplash? I am in the mid of some updating in my kitchen & waiting on my ilve range to arrive. Also going to have my wide plank floors refinished & trying to decide on the sheen. What do you recommend?

      • Marian Parsons

        I am going to use tile for the backsplash, but I haven’t picked it out yet. As far as the floors, I like a satin sheen, so there is some shine but not a strong glare or reflection.

    2. Kim

      The brass cabinet pulls coordinate beautifully with the stove handles!

    3. Alice

      The color on those cabinets is to die for–amazing that it wasn’t custom (if memory serves). The brass pulls particularly were worth the splurge!

    4. Elena M.

      I have never had appliance garage cabinets before, and I’m wondering how they open – do they swing up? How do they install backsplash tile on your sink wall if the swing is so close to the wall itself? I would love to have a place to hide the coffee maker and electric tea kettle, but it looks like you can’t put decorative items in front of them, unless you move them every time you open the “garage”! I can’t wait to see what you choose for the backsplash – that will be another big decorative decision that is so important! But you have excellent taste, I’m sure it will be gorgeous.

    5. Irene Kelly

      Backslash ? It all looks so elegant ! Just love the hardware ! So glad 1gold has come back. That side photo of your cabinet and range is a great shot right out of a magazine ! !1

    6. Diane

      Everything is looking beautiful. I love the brass accents.

      • Patricia Kasparian

        Marian, I meant to mention that Etsy has some really pretty brass salt and pepper shakers that would look fantastic in your kitchen. Perhaps look at those! I love mixed metals and did it in my own kitchen and everyone always loves my “warm” kitchen 😉

    7. Teddee Grace

      I love your choices and placement! I know, even with templates, I would have been sweating bullets drilling the holes.

    8. sandi m

      Everything looks beautiful. Since the bottom drawers have the knobs far apart, do you have to use both hands to open them? In the one photo, my eye went directly to the brass register vent. Maybe paint it the cabinet color so it does not take away from the lovely stove legs?

      • Cassandra E

        I actually love the brass vent. It’s a sweet little detail in my mind’s eye. Isn’t it fun we all have different ideas of how a space comes together?

    9. Pamela P. Bold

      I love how adept you are at curating your decisions as your curate your selections. Bringing the kitchen project all together – using two different door styles, two different colors, two different knobs and pulls, and incorporating that gorgeous baker’s table island is genius. Watching someone’s dream-come-true is delightful, and allowing your followers in on the backstory is pure joy. You are not just creating a kitchen, you are creating a legacy that your family will enjoy for years. Thanks and Blessings to you for including us in this whole house project!

    10. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

      Marian, your kitchen is absolutely beautiful! I love all the choices you have made!

    11. Maureen

      It’s looking gorgeous. Love the two tone cabinets.

    12. Felicia Adams, Austin, TX

      I’ve long been a proponent of mixing colors, textures, metals, tiles, and hardware. I completely gutted and remodeled my modest1954 (purchased in late 1999) house in 2000. The kitchen and 2 baths were in original condition…think washer in the kitchen. I was very intentional about what I wanted and how I wanted the kitchen and butler’s pantry to look and feel. People thought I was nuts having custom cabinets built with some of them painted and some natural maple. I also did large drawers and custom cabinets to hold baking trays, etc. I got a lot of pushback, but I was determined to fulfill my vision. Long story short, I did it the way I wanted. It turned out great. My house was featured on the local AIA home tour. I know I don’t need to tell you, but do what is right for your vision and ignore the naysayers. 😉

    13. Felicia Adams, Austin, TX

      I’ve long been a proponent of mixing colors, textures, metals, tiles, and hardware. I completely gutted and remodeled my modest1954 (purchased in late 1999) house in 2000. The kitchen and 2 baths were in original condition…think washer in the kitchen. I was very intentional about what I wanted and how I wanted the kitchen and butler’s pantry to look and feel. People thought I was nuts having custom cabinets built with some of them painted and some natural maple. I also did large drawers and custom cabinets to hold baking trays, etc. I had 3 different countertops…quartz on one side of the kitchen with the sink and fridge and on the countertops on either side of the stove, I had a custom butcherblock across from the fridge and to the left of the stove, and then did stainless steel to the right of the stove. I got a LOT of pushback (multiple cabinet colors and countertops were yet to become a trend), but I was determined to fulfill my vision. Long story short, I did it the way I wanted. It turned out great. My house was featured on the local AIA home tour. I know I don’t need to tell you, but do what is right for your vision and ignore the naysayers. 😉

    14. Karen K from Buffalo

      Stunning!! Now where do you intend to put your pot rack?

      • Patricia Kasparian

        Everything is just beautiful!

    15. Jen C

      Your new kitchen looks beautiful! I love the brass pulls with your cabinets. You must be so excited for it to be almost finished. We can’t wait to see your final touches with the furniture and your other decorative touches.

    16. MaryLisa Noyes

      The kitchen looks wonderful! It will be your happy place for sure!

    17. Rebecca

      I love how your cabinet handles coordinate with the oven pulls! Looks great!

    18. Carol I

      Your cabinet color choice and pulls are beautiful. That stove, oh my goodness is incredible! Enjoy!!

    19. Christine Tigges

      Marian,
      I love it! I’m thinking a white subway tile would look fabulous as a backsplash!

      Loved seeing you again at Luckett’s…. There’s always room at the inn!

    20. mitchandjeanine

      It’s coming together beautifully! The patina that these unlaquered brass pulls will have over the years will just add to the charm. The glass knows complement the creamy cabinets so well. I see just a snippet of your pretty unlaquered brass faucet too! What color white are your walls? This is going to be incredibly fun to style! I can already see one of your
      painting in a vintage gold frame hanging on the wall!

    21. Michele M.

      I realllly like your choice of your brass pulls. They’re a perfect choice!

    22. Patricia

      Stunningly Beautiful !

    23. Barbara Cuevas

      Beautiful, just beautiful

    24. Laurie Mo

      Ohhh I LOVE how the knobs and pulls look together. I’ve been considering similar knobs and the partner pulls for my own kitchen, but have been vacillating that idea with gold pulls, but I’m actually liking the two together. Very nicely, done.

      I’m so excited and thrilled how your vision is all coming together. The end result is just beautiful, but then I had no doubt it would be. I’ve always loved your aesthetic and the things you did in your last home and the same can be said of the choices you are making with this home. So I can’t wait to see the final product.

      I’m also so happy for you that you are enjoying each milestone with excitement and anticipation of the next step, rather than seeing it as just a stressful situation. Continue to enjoy the process and loving seeing your vision come to life.

    25. Betty M Bashaw

      Your kitchen is truly inspiring! We’ve discussed that when we buy a home, the kitchen is a major consideration. I’ve lived with many inferior kitchens, and this is a space I would love to make my own. Perhaps not as ambitious and gorgeous as yours, but still a place with my personl touch … and a range like yours!!

      Congrats on nearing the finish line!!

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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