It’s all about the details when it comes to home renovation, but that rings especially true if you’re in the business of custom cabinet hardware. From light-reflecting Italian glass knobs to earthy tree-like pulls, creating a true reflection of the space, whether it’s a home or a hotel, can make all the difference. We caught up with Michael Bruno from Cabinet Hardware Specialties to tell us more about aesthetic, functionality, and putting personality into every project.
Tell us a little bit about Cabinet Hardware Specialties.
If you need anything to complement your cabinets, we can help. We operate as both a wholesale and retail supplier so someone can come into our West Hartford showroom or go online and order whatever they need for their kitchen or an entire office fit-out. We have been selling functional hardware like hinges and slides as well as decorative knobs, handles, and pulls for more than 70 years.
What do you like most about your industry?
There is so much variety because we offer options for both new construction and renovation. We are able to work with designers on major projects as well as local homeowners who are doing a simple remodel. There is a lot of movement in terms of trends and innovation and people are constantly looking for ease of use so all of that keeps us very busy.
What are the biggest trends in the market?
I really like how creative cabinet lighting is getting and soft-closing hinges and drawer slides have become very popular. There is also big demand for black and brass finishes which is a significant departure from matte silver finishes.
What’s a big misconception about what you do?
Some people think that long-standing businesses don’t keep up with innovation and trends, but we are the opposite. We have an impressive e-commerce component to our company which allows people all over the country to “shop” our West Hartford store. On the flip side, we have people who come in looking for a knob replacement because they did a project with us 30 years ago. Our business has been here for 70 years because we stand by our products and our team is made up of the most knowledgeable people in the industry.
What is your favorite piece of advice for someone who is embarking on a remodeling project?
There are so many products, shapes, styles, materials, and finishes out there, so it’s easy to make your cabinets stand out. Just make sure you include fixtures in your budget. You don’t want to spend the money on an entire kitchen and miss the wow factor of those finishing touches.
What mistake do you see a lot of people make?
People will come in after they’ve bought hardware online that looks and feels completely different than what they were anticipating. A good deal is usually a compromise in quality and it gets hard a year or two down the line when a handle breaks and you have to replace everything. Feeling something in your hand can make a world of difference.
Why should someone come to see you instead of a big retailer?
It’s about the people and the quality of the products. Our team knows everything there is to know about what we sell and most of them have been doing it for decades. We also have an extensive selection of unique options to make your project absolutely stand out.
What do you love about being in the Design District?
We see renewed interest in the Design District and are really looking forward to helping and growing with our neighboring businesses. It also gives us the ability to easily recommend another specialty store right in our area if you’re looking for something outside the scope of our business.
Cabinet Hardware Specialties is located at 50 Chelton Ave in West Hartford, CT and their showroom is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Browse their online store or find out more on their website at www.cabinethardwarespec.com