June 6, 2015

Sayonara, brushed nickel! Amerock recently launched an array of summer-hued hardware with aptly named shades like calypso, sea glass, surfside, lemon twist and more.

                

“Splash” isn’t just a product line. It’s also an interactive design and shopping experience, available at www.splashbyamerock.com, that allows users to virtually try on colored pulls and knobs with popular cabinetry styles. This first edition includes 20 different shades and five of Amerock’s bestselling “geometries” (aka hardware shapes) – a total of 400 possible color combos in all. 

                

The classic hardware company, in business since 1929, consulted with Manhattan-based interior design expert, Eric Cohler, for the line.

“Amerock is functional, beautiful, aspirational, affordable and versatile, which I hope my work is as well,” said Cohler, whose award-winning work includes textile and furniture design for Lee Jofa and high-end interiors for clientele throughout the U.S., the Caribbean and Europe.

Though Cohler deals in glamorous, upmarket interiors (think glass-box penthouses and iconic World Monument homes), he occasionally incorporates contemporary African art purchased off the street or sofas from discount retailer One Kings Lane in clients’ homes. There’s no excuse (not even a small budget!) for bad taste, he said.

                 

“Everything’s predigested today,” he explained, “but what isn’t easy is to curate and bring the experience together as a whole entity.”

That’s where Amerock’s new “visualizer” comes in: Consumers start with a clean design template, choose a product and color, then drag it to the cabinet visualizer and pick a cabinet color. There are options for the kitchen, bath, bedroom — every room in the house. Splash is a direct-to-consumer program, available only online through Amerock.com for now.

                 

The program allows designers and DIYers alike to easily change out hardware for seasonal or holiday décor. Cohler likes surf side, a seafoamy green, for a summery bedroom.

“We replaced the boring nickel hardware with some color,” he said, explaining a recent chest-of-drawers makeover, and tangerine for a fun autumn look. “For Halloween you could put it on your kitchen cabinetry and it becomes part of the holiday décor,” he added. “It can stay up for the whole month and go through Thanksgiving because it’s harvest time, and [the color] is similar to gourd or sweet potato.”