Aluminum Switchplates from Restoration Hardware
We first launched the Idea Guide section of our houseblog back when we were just planning our first floor bathroom. Putting the cart squarely before the horse, we researched and wrote about all our fun ideas that would make that bathroom stand out--fixtures, bathroom hardware, tile samples. This was the stuff that we knew bathrooms were made of! After all that research, we marched out and bought them all...and they promptly sat in a corner of the basement for about six months.
Two bathroom gut rehabs later, we've learned that most of those accent details are used pretty late in the game and only after much blood, sweat and tears. Some decisions (and purchases) can just wait for a while.
That said, it sure is fun and rewarding when the time finally arrives--and as luck would have it we're now in full swing in those little finishing details for our second floor1
One of those little accents that Jeannie discovered way back in our old condo were these great metal switchplate covers. They have a fun boxy look and a matte aluminum finish. They're definitely modern looking but have a subtle period feel to them at the same time.
If you like them, Restoration Hardware carries them. Strangely they're only in stores so there's no information on their website or in catalogs about them. They come in a variety of configuations for both switches and outlets (although if anyone from corporate headquarters ever reads this, you definitely need to come out with a two-gang switch/outlet combo cover like you offer for the porclein series you carry!).
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Comments
I ran into the same thing when I was trying to get 2 matching sconces from Restoration Hardware- the catalog and stores operate out of separate inventories of merchandise. The store was out of sconces and they could not access the catalog to see if they had any of them.
Posted by: Carol | July 19, 2005 6:52 AM
It's my understanding that some building codes do not allow metal switch & outlet covers..POPS -30
Posted by: POPS | July 19, 2005 9:11 AM
Rejuvenation carries several finishes of switchplate, in quite a few different configurations for plugs, modern switches, and pushbutton switches. Not sure if it has the "shape" you're looking for though... And if you can make it to the Portland store they have great salvage switchplates as well...
Posted by: jamie | July 19, 2005 10:56 AM
Ooh, I like! Sadly, I can only order from the catalog or Web, so no metal switchplates for me. :)
Posted by: Kristin | July 19, 2005 4:03 PM
Oddly enough, Target carries some very cool switchplate covers. Betsy Enfield designs. The quality actually matches that of my Rejuvenation plates.....and a nicer price. They have them on their wesbite and selected stores. On the Restoration Hardware....be careful of the screws they use.....very soft metal on any of their nickle products that snaps off easily. I learned the hard way.
Posted by: StuccoHouse | July 19, 2005 4:14 PM
I know EXACTLY the covers you're using. They have a slightly uneven, wavy thing to them~ they're not machined perfectly flat and square. They're just a little inconsistant from one to the other, and they're heavy because they're cast~ I think that's what gives such a spare design an almost period feel.
Before I signed up with a firm and was working "Guerilla", my partner and I loved them so much that we used them on every single project we did. Part of the allure was that there's a Hdwr store on E. 23rd st in NYC called Vercese that sold them for something like $2 for a single switch plate, $4 for a double, etc. They have matching outlet covers, too. So we got to the point that we'd just check in and buy them whenever they were stocked (which was a little spotty)~ $50-$60 worth at a time. Whenever finishing time came on a project, we'd go around and install these babies and just charge the client for however mahy we used. It's so cool to see these again! Vercese is a goldmine of great stuff and good service for truly reasonable prices... when the time comes for my house I'll probably do a buying trip up there.
Posted by: Nathan | July 20, 2005 3:46 PM
I know EXACTLY the covers you're using. They have a slightly uneven, wavy thing to them~ they're not machined perfectly flat and square. They're just a little inconsistant from one to the other, and they're heavy because they're cast~ I think that's what gives such a spare design an almost period feel.
Before I signed up with a firm and was working "Guerilla", my partner and I loved them so much that we used them on every single project we did. Part of the allure was that there's a Hdwr store on E. 23rd st in NYC called Vercese that sold them for something like $2 for a single switch plate, $4 for a double, etc. They have matching outlet covers, too. So we got to the point that we'd just check in and buy them whenever they were stocked (which was a little spotty)~ $50-$60 worth at a time. Whenever finishing time came on a project, we'd go around and install these babies and just charge the client for however mahy we used. It's so cool to see these again! Vercese is a goldmine of great stuff and good service for truly reasonable prices... when the time comes for my house I'll probably do a buying trip up there.
Posted by: Nathan | July 20, 2005 3:48 PM