Guest Spotlight: Bianca Hall

Bianca Hall is a multi-talented writer, stylist, and interiors enthusiast, best known for her blog, French for Pineapple.

Recently, Bianca refreshed her dining room sideboard and alcove cabinets using our Moderne Edge Pull and Tilt Pulls and the transformation is stunning!

Discover Bianca’s design journey and process below.

"They say that ‘touch-points’ are one of the areas where you should spend and not scrimp on when renovating or redecorating, and I am one hundred percent in agreement.

Alongside light switches, and power sockets, nothing lets a space down quite like a cheap or dated handle, knob or pull. And in fact, these small but oh so important details can really update and elevate a space with minimal effort."

"I wasn’t sure about the future of my dining room sideboard, and had actually been toying with the idea of replacing, it, but it’s so brilliant for storage and replacing it would be such an investment, so rather than replacing it with something that was bound to have less storage capacity anyway, I set about giving it a glow-up instead.

Out came the paintbrush and roller, and some delicious glossy biscuit-toned paint (Truffle by Paint and Paper Library since you asked, in their water-based full gloss). And then, to take it up another notch, I added Moderne top-fix edge pulls from Croft Hardware."

"I’d never wanted to add handles to it as I always thought it would be too busy with the stepped fronts, but when I saw Croft’s edge pulls I knew they’d work perfectly - they’re subtle, but at the same time they really do elevate it - not to mention what a game-changer being able to easily open the doors without having to bend down and open them from the bottom for the first time ever is. In fact, they work so well, it’s like they’ve always been there.


Choosing the finish was not so easy, but from Croft’s extensive range, I narrowed it down to Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, Pearl Nickel, Aged Brass, and Distressed Antique Brass. Believe me, this was not a simple task as I also love the Distressed Antique Nickel, Distressed Oil Rubbed Bronze, Polished Nickel, and Smoked Brass among others! So spoilt for choice - they actually have a whopping TWENTY-SIX finishes across their collections."

"In the end, I loved how the Pearl Nickel plays with the Truffle colour. It holds its own, whilst not competing - they’re the perfect match. It’s a really beautiful contemporary finish, and yes, I’m now positively ITCHING to update the kitchen cabinet handles among other things - the decorating domino effect is alive and well!

"Obviously giving the sideboard a glow-up made the alcove cabinets in the adjoining living room suddenly feel a bit tired, so off came the old handles, and on went Croft’s Tilt pulls in the same Pearl Nickel finish. I love the contrast of the traditional moulding with the contemporary pull shape here, and though the designs are different, the same finish brings everything together nicely."

"I’d been spending less and less time in these rooms, and they’d been a bit neglected. It’s nice to have reminded myself that a few simple changes and a re-style, can not only update a room, but make it feel fresh and inviting again. But will I be able to resist the urge to replace the rug and cushions? Who knows!"

"Croft Architectural Hardware are a fifth generation family run business who manufacture to order in their factory in Birmingham. They have some excellent sustainability credentials, even offering a refinishing service to update older, working products so they don’t have to be thrown out. Such a great idea!

Do go and have a peruse through Croft’s beautiful and vast collection - they cover everything architectural hardware related, from entrance door hardware, to door hinges, levers, handles, bathroom turn and releases, window hardware, sliding door hardware, flush fittings and so much more. Oh and their Cremone Bolts are absolutely worth redesigning your kitchen for."