Ornamental Style Cabinet & Door Hardware

"The Knobs Company manufactures a captivating range of ornamental hardware. The detailed, decorated designs are created with various materials, such as pewter, brass, zinc, and white metal. Artisanal skill imbues each piece with unique beauty. You can also explore our collection today and discover the enchantment of our exquisite animal cabinet options."

Ornamental vs. Modern – An Age-old Showdown

Strictly speaking, the word “ornamental” describes a decorative item that is purely used for aesthetic effect, and is not presumed to serve any function. In contrast, modern styles restrict us to purely functional pieces with no additional frills or detail that do not serve a functional purpose.

There is a peculiar pattern to the use of ornament in popular décor styles over the ages. The history of most cultures shows that there was a time when people did not have the intent or the luxury of procuring or creating ornamental pieces to adorn the rooms they lived and worked in. It just didn’t matter what door handles you had if you were a peasant or a farmer. As each culture matures, the wave of ornamental adornments and their applications increases. You can also explore our collection today and discover the harmony of our exquisite nature cabinet options.

In due course, the ornamental style’s popularity would burn out, with trends returning back to the simplistic, strictly functional, modern aesthetic. As time passes, the ornamental movement gains momentum and popularity again, and so on.

We are currently in a transitional stage. There is not really a greater preference for either ornamental or modernistic décor. In fact, the most popular trend for ornamental vs. modern is to use a combination of the two styles – either using different pieces in the same room, or different styles in the same piece.

We are now in an age where both sides of these styles can be combined. An ornamental, decorative piece can now be just as functional as a modern, less detailed piece. The perk is that when the hardware looks good, it feels good to use it.

When incorporating ornamental pieces into your décor and architecture, an eye for tasteful combinations will guard against tacky gaudiness. The right mixture of clean lines with detailed decorative accents is a safe bet for most modern homes.

On the other hand, one could theme an entire room or home entirely with ornamental décor. It is important to keep a similar style to prevent the room from feeling too busy.