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    Ted Talks Schlage Custom™: A Look at Form and Function with Schlage’s Style and Design Chief

    January 30, 2018 2:58 PM by Ted_Roberts

    Tuesday, January 30, 2018

    Ted Roberts - Schlage Custom - Designer Door Hardware

    Styles change. Preferences change. Technology changes. How do you enjoy the best of everything?

     

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    Ted Roberts - Schlage Custom - Premium Door Hardware

    Styles change. Preferences change. Technology changes. How do you enjoy the best of everything? This is the enviable challenge faced by today’s homeowners who are looking for style, flexibility and function as well as security from their door hardware.
     

    Enter Schlage Custom Door Hardware, a major innovation featuring a multi-purpose single-core lock – and an array of premium style options – that have been re-imagined and designed from the ground up to deliver a truly superior user experience.
     

    Aesthetics. Reliability. Affordability. All have been factored in, while incorporating functionality that allows locks to be customized to specific styles, security requirements and practical usage needs. It’s one system offering virtually limitless possibilities.
     

    For more, we talked with Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Allegion, Schlage’s parent company.

    Ted Roberts - Schlage Custom Door Hardware

    Q&A with Ted Roberts

    Q: Why is the melding of style and function so important in general?

    A. “When it comes to style, staying ahead of the curve is certainly challenging. But it’s also only one part of an equation that needs to take into consideration how something feels, works, lasts. Focusing on both style and function allows for seamlessly incorporating aesthetics with features, reliability and performance that delights.

    “If all of this is in harmony, our homeowners are less likely to have a bad experience. We look at the entire experience – from the product and engineering itself through to product purchase and installation – to make sure homeowners who choose Schlage get what they expect. And more. Our new Schlage Custom Door Hardware is no exception.”

    Glass knobs - Premium door hardware - Schlage Custom

    Q: So just another day in the office for you and your team at Schlage?

    A. “Anything but, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has purchased a Schlage product. This kind of innovation is at the heart of what we do and has been since Walter Schlage’s first patent in 1909 for a door lock that had the ability to turn lights on and off.
     

    “It’s not technology for technology’s sake, but rather the development and application of new technologies to provide value to our customers, solve problems whether they be from a design perspective or a usage perspective, make things easier and in the end, truly delight. Schlage Custom Door Hardware really reflects this.
     

    “With today’s smart homes, we’re developing a world of next-generation connected electronic hardware. Yet here we are introducing a new mechanical lock product that puts just as much of a premium on the needs of today’s – and tomorrow’s – homeowner as our smart home products. We’re really proud of that.”

    Q: What was the inspiration for Schlage Custom™ Door Hardware?

    A.“Quite simply, we wanted a product that solved more than one problem. We want to be stylistically relevant. We want it to be functionally flawless. We designed it to be customizable in both look and performance. And we want the user experience to be so good, the customer may actually be able to take for granted that it will continue to look great and work great for years to come."

     

    “To achieve this, we looked beyond door locks and deliberately sought out and took clues from leaders, innovators in other areas including the tech sector as well as from categories like lighting, furnishings, fixtures, flooring and, believe it or not, even plumbing.”

    Premium door hardware - Latitude Lever with Collins trim - Satin Brass hardware - Schlage Custom

    Q: What exactly is Schlage Custom Door Hardware?

    A. “It’s one system with endless possibilities that offers six levers, six knobs and seven trims. Do you want a lock for your bedroom or bathroom door? A non-locking pass-through for the closet or hall? Do you want to be able to change your mind as a room itself changes, perhaps from a nursery to a home office? This product can do that, from simplifying the decisions you need to make at purchase to providing true ease and flexibility with regard to installation and function in the home. What’s more, the next owners have the same options to customize door function, making this very simple and often overlooked feature a real selling point. One lock. A myriad of styles and applications. That’s Custom.”

    Q: What’s the one thing you want people to remember about Schlage Custom Door Hardware?

    A. “That it is Schlage through and through and reflects our company heritage, our commitment to style, our reputation for innovation and stays true to our mission to create an exceptional user experience for our homeowners. To us, the things that truly set us apart are often things that our customers don’t even notice. I’m both pleased and proud that Schlage Custom Door Hardware delivers in this regard.”

    Schlage Custom Door Hardware was designed from the ground up for those looking for both form and function. Schlage Custom opens up a host of possibilities, all of which can be explored at Schlage.com/custom.

    High-end designer door hardware without the designer price tag

    January 25, 2018 1:23 PM by emily.bailey

    Thursday, January 25, 2018

    High-end designer door hardware without the designer price tag

    Meet our latest line of innovative door hardware: Schlage CustomTM and get a glimpse into the inspiration behind our new styles.

     

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    For more than 95 years, Schlage has strived to bring innovative, stylish door hardware designs to our customers’ door steps. We've stayed true to the quality and strength our brand is known for, while offering products at a price homeowners can afford. Our legacy holds true with the announcement of our latest innovative line of hardware that features premium style and makes purchasing door hardware easier than ever.
     

    Introducing: Schlage CustomTM Door Hardware.

    Designer door hardware - Whitney lever - Schlage Custom

    Schlage Custom™ locks are uniquely designed with premium style in mind. Add instant polish to the look of any room with Schlage’s architecturally-inspired knobs, levers and trim in lustrous, long-lasting finishes.

     

    The Schlage Custom™ core also works on both bed/bath and hall/closet doors, so you can buy one lock that provides you with multiple options. Whether you need a non-locking or locking door, it’s easy to switch between functions. Just insert or remove the locking pin from the pinhole on the interior of the lock.

    The entire Custom line is made up of 6 levers/knobs and 7 trims, featuring some of our most familiar and favorite designs. We're also adding a few new styles to our portfolio. Take a look at the new knobs/levers and trims you can now choose from to achieve a look that is perfectly polished for your style.

    Trim

    Alden trim

    Traditional door hardware - Alden trim - Schlage Custom

    The Alden trim is inspired by Colonial styles and traditional Georgian architecture made popular in New England and Great Britain. It's a timeless style that is a refresh of a heritage piece that has been a staple part of Schlage's style portfolio for decades.
     

    VIEW MORE ALDEN TRIM

    Kinsler trim

    Modern door hardware - Kinsler trim - Schlage Custom

    The Kinsler trim is inspired by modern styles seamlessly blended with classic design principles to create a look that is flexible enough to work in a variety of settings. The simple, streamlined look of the Kinsler trim is effortlessly versatile, highlighting the design of any knob or lever it’s paired with.

     

    VIEW MORE KINSLER TRIM

    Rosewood trim

    Designer door hardware - Rosewood trim - Schlage Custom

    The Rosewood trim features complex yet elegant facets that reflect light when dressed in a lustrous finish, adding a flash of glamour to any room. Rosewood is inspired by the lavish lifestyles of classic film stars and the extravagant sets used in film noir.


    VIEW MORE ROSEWOOD TRIM

    Knobs

    Alexandria knob

    Glass door knob - Alexandria knob - Schlage Custom

    Inspired by one of the two primary glass knob styles of the Victorian era, the Alexandria knob is a multi-faceted glass knob with classic reflective detailing that sparkles in the center. This simple knob can completely change the look of an opening, adding a gorgeous touch of traditional Victorian design without a lot of work. It’s also perfect for restorations of vintage homes.


    VIEW MORE ALEXANDRIA KNOB

    Hobson knob

    Glass knobs - Hobson door knob - Schlage Custom

    The Hobson glass knob is the perfect statement piece for styles ranging from traditional to the more eclectic transitional. The knob is a throwback to traditional Victorian glass knob styles, updated with a fresh modern-day sensibility.


    VIEW MORE HOBSON KNOB

    Levers

    Dempsey lever

    Designer door hardware - Dempsey lever - Schlage Custom

    The glamorous Dempsey lever is inspired by the opulence of Old Hollywood and the romance of film noir. This lever is a great example of the way door hardware can serve as the perfect detail when achieving a specific style.


    VIEW MORE DEMPSEY LEVER

    Eller lever

    Designer door hardware - Eller lever - Schlage Custom

    The intrepid design of the Eller lever is in a class all its own, featuring the soft curves of Scandinavian design and precise, clean surfaces of minimalism.


    VIEW MORE ELLER LEVER

    Whitney lever

    Designer door hardware - Whitney lever - Schlage Custom

    Inspired by wrought iron scrollwork forged by classical blacksmiths, the Whitney lever adds an authentic touch of traditional style to any home. Although this lever was designed with Old World New Orleans and Spanish Colonial homes in mind, it's mainstream enough to coordinate with a variety of styles.


    VIEW MORE WHITNEY LEVER

    To view the entire Schlage Custom line or to learn more about this innovative new hardware, visit schlage.com/custom.

    The best time of year to buy items for your home

    January 23, 2018 10:20 AM by emily.bailey

    Tuesday, January 23, 2018

    The best time of year to buy items for your home | Schlage

    Since various sales happen on different home goods throughout the year, it’s smart to plan ahead and buy what you need when the prices are lowest.

     

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    For a lot of people, a new year means a new list of things to do. Along with your other resolutions, you’ve probably got at least one project in your home that you want to work on this year. Since various sales happen on different home goods throughout the year, it’s smart to plan ahead and buy what you need when the prices are lowest. We compiled a list of changes you can make to your home based around when these products go on sale. If you want more information on home-related sales, check out this article at Consumer Reports.
    Home goods savings calendar - Schlage

    January

    Storage items

    The holiday season just ended so not only is there a lot of decor on sale, there are a lot of storage items on sale as well. Take advantage of these sales and buy storage bins to clean up your garage, attic, closets or anywhere else that needs some organization.

    Linens

    “White sales” also occur in January. Many stores have big discounts on linens including sheet sets, comforters, towels, etc. If you are planning on updating any of your bedrooms or bathrooms this year, now would be a great time to save.

    February

    Furniture

    New furniture lines come out in March, so many retailers put their current lines on sale in February. This is a great time to get rid of that old couch with the sagging cushions or get a new dresser with fully-functioning drawers. Bonus: The extra storage gives you the perfect excuse to go shopping later.

    March

    Plants

    March is still too early to start planting outdoors in many areas, but there are a lot of sales going on at nurseries. Even if you can’t plant outside yet, March is the perfect time to get vegetable seedlings and start them indoors. When it is time to transfer them in late April, you will have healthy plants going that will fruit earlier than ever.

    April

    Lawn Mowers

    It is officially Spring and that means it’s time for yard work. Even if it’s a little early for the first official lawn mowing of the season, look into buying a new mower now and save money.

    Gas grills

    As the temperatures start to rise, you can finally break out your grill. Gas grills go on sale in April as well, so if you are looking to replace your grill or upgrade from a charcoal grill, April is the best time to save.

    May

    Paint

    May is a good time to pick up paint for your home projects. Maybe you got new bedding in January and now you need to paint your guest room to match, or you have some old furniture that you replaced in February that you want to sand down and paint. May is a great time of year to paint.

    June

    Power tools

    June means Father’s Day, and Father’s Day means power tools. Even if you aren’t buying them for dad, it’s a great time to replace any tools that are barely hanging on. It’s also a great time to buy tools you haven’t been able to justify in the past. Take your projects to the next level with that pocket hole jig or paint sprayer you’ve always wanted. Chances are good that you will find them on sale in June.

    July

    Decking

    Get more out of summer celebrations by adding or upgrading a deck to your back yard. Whether you’re looking for something small for intimate gatherings, or a massive showstopping deck to host the entire neighborhood, July is the best time to buy the decking. And maybe you can install it with some of the new tools you bought in June.

    Wood

    While you’re working on installing your new deck, you’ll probably need wood stain. Conveniently, July is also the best time to buy it.

    August

    Linens (again)

    It’s time for kids to head off to college, so a lot of stores put linens on sale again. And while you’re probably not making plans to move into a new dorm, there’s no reason not to make use of the sale and update another bathroom or another bedroom you didn’t update in January.

    Outdoor furniture

    You brought your outdoor furniture out months ago, and the weather has taken its toll. Or maybe you didn’t have any furniture because you just put your deck in last month. Either way, August is the time to buy outdoor furniture before it all gets put away for winter.

    Flooring

    If you’ve decided it’s too hot for outdoor projects, we don’t blame you. Fortunately, while the temperatures are rising, the price of flooring tends to drop in August. If you’ve been looking to rip up your old, stained carpets and put in hardwood floors, this is your time.

    September

    Gardening supplies

    While you may have picked your last tomato of the year, it’s never too early to start planning for next year. As stores make room for holiday décor, gardening supplies go on sale before they go away for the season. Now is the perfect time to stock up on supplies for next year’s garden.

    Home accessories

    September is also a great time to save on the finishing touches like lamps and rugs. If you just re-floored in August, it’s possible you need some new accessories for your room. And if you didn’t re-floor in August, you could probably use a new rug.

    October

    Small home appliances

    October is the start of the holiday season and for many of us that means it’s time to start cooking and baking. October is a great time to pick up new, small kitchen appliances like microwaves, toaster ovens, etc.

    November

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday

    Tis the season to save. Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, deals can be had on anything and everything. Consumer electronics, including smart home devices, are bound to be big hits in 2018. One or two smart home purchases can be all the updates your home needs to become connected and up-to-date.

    December

    Major appliances

    December is the time to buy major appliances like a new refrigerator, oven or dishwasher. Maybe you need more room in your fridge after Thanksgiving or you just want a glass top stove because you are tired of scrubbing burners. December is a great time to update your kitchen appliances.

    Thinking about doing any of these projects? Let us know of any big deals you score and we’ll keep you updated with Schlage promotions on our Facebook page! 

    Hottest home trends predictions for 2018

    January 12, 2018 6:30 AM by emily.bailey

    Friday, January 12, 2018

    Hottest home trends predictions for 2018 | Schlage

    Whether you’re looking to make big changes or small updates, we’ve compiled a list of trends expected to be popular this year so you can get a head start on decorating.

     

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    2018 Trends - Style & Design - Technology - Schlage


    With a new year comes new trends, and January is the perfect time to refresh the interior of your home. Whether you’re looking to make big changes or small updates, we’ve compiled a list of trends expected to be popular this year so you can get a head start on decorating.
     

    We talked to Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Allegion, Schlage’s parent company, about what he expects 2018’s biggest trends to be.

    Black

    Roberts said black will continue to be very popular this year. Whether it’s black front doors, black rooms or Matte Black door hardware, anyone can make black work in their home because it goes with everything.

    TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATED WITHIN THE HOME

    Product designers across all sorts of industries are adopting the latest technology, and that trend will only continue to gain momentum. Right now, you can buy smart home products for home alarm systems, smart locks, heating and cooling, lighting, and even your kitchen. All of these categories are growing as more and more brands create new products that integrate with smart home technology. Roberts expects this to continue and for more categories to be introduced into the market.

     

    Schlage is at the forefront of where style and tech collide as we work to make smart home technology more accessible and integrated with style. Schlage’s Futurist and VP of Strategy and Partnerships, Rob Martens, predicts the next big operating system will be inside the home.

    PATTERNS AND TEXTURE

    Patterns and texture were popular in 2017 and will continue to be popular this year. There has been a resurgence of 70s stylings. Yellows, greens and bold patterns are becoming popular again. Texture includes anything from animal prints to metal finishes to natural wood. Pantone predicts similar trends for 2018 in their article on Realtor.com.

    Do you like these ideas? Do you already have some of them in your home? If you’re looking for more style inspiration, check out our Style Talk Pinterest board.

    9 ways to embrace exposed fixtures and finishes in your home

    January 11, 2018 9:45 AM by emily.bailey

    Thursday, January 11, 2018

    There can be beauty in raw materials. Display them with care, and the effect is surprisingly warm and welcoming.

     

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    It’s not always deliberate that a great piece of work is left unfinished — see Schubert’s 8th Symphony or Mozart’s Requiem, for example. However, sometimes in the creative process there’s a decision to embrace the beauty in raw or “unfinished” materials. In the case of homes and other buildings, there might be an aesthetic choice about whether to expose certain elements — from structural steel to bare concrete to lightbulbs — that might ordinarily be hidden. Should you dare to bare?

    Check out these ideas for creating your own unfinished masterpiece.

    Structural wood

    Exposed structural wood is a much more common sight than some of the other materials in this story. The display of raw wood in a home creates a sense of bringing the natural world inside, and there’s a real-life essence to be gained from the look. Structural oak beams in particular bring so much feeling to a space. Dark woods are wonderful for a framing effect against crisp white walls and ceilings — great for demarcating areas of an open-plan space. And cherry and lighter woods work well as part of an overall scheme; bring them in through furniture, floors and staircases.

    Electrical accessories

    Wiring can be used in interesting ways. The most common is to hang lighting cables in an arrangement that suggests a sense of temporariness, as in an art studio or a construction site where string lights have been hung for a specific purpose. With a little imagination, the opportunities are endless. Cable coverings can be created in a vast array of materials and colors, for example. Just be sure the design is certified and installed by a qualified electrician.

    Bricks (in an industrial property)

    Bricks and mortar are rough and cold and not always a look that comes to mind when you’re designing a cozy living room. Yet using exposed brick, especially on one feature wall, has great merit. The subtle irregularities in texture and color can really be brought to life with some skilfully placed lighting, such as the low table lamp that casts a warm glow in this warehouse-style apartment.

    Bricks (in a period house)

    If you’re lucky enough to have a good-looking internal brick wall in your home, simply seal it with clear or colored products that can be found at any building supply store. If you’re not, then faux brick panels can be installed, the benefit of which is that you can identify a pattern and color that work for you.

    Pipe

    Pipe is a wonderful material with which to get creative. In fact, when I was training as a heating engineer, we would create small sculptures from copper pipe to demonstrate our skill. The most common raw finishes are steel and copper, though any finish can be achieved through painting, plating or polishing.

     

    There’s a huge variety of fittings and fixings, as well as threading and bending techniques. Uses include water and gas, obviously, but pipe can also be used as cable trunking to form some interesting lighting features. 

     

    Any design that makes functional use of the pipe (as opposed to purely decorative) should be approved and installed by a qualified engineer who can certify that the work complies with regulations.

    Concrete

    One of the most overlooked building materials in its raw, unfinished form is concrete. But from prefabricated panels to polished countertops, it’s a highly versatile medium. Concrete also lends itself beautifully to a minimalist interior. There’s a nakedness to it that asks for solitary items of furniture or artwork in isolation.

     

    The irregularities in concrete’s surface coloring work well with other materials that are natural or imperfect in some way. Acid-distressed glass is a great example.

    Plywood

    Sheet materials, especially plywood, can be a real boon to a homeowner’s budget. Although cost isn’t the ideal factor on which to base key design choices, it also can’t be ignored. Fortunately, plywood can look incredibly warm and stylish in its raw state, and it’s a brilliant base on which to redecorate at a later date if you tire of the look.

     

    How to do it right? In a word: pine. Pine furniture, pine cabinets, pine shelves. Then understand that this really is an unfinished look, so choose light fixtures, tables, chairs and other features that also have a certain “makeshift” style. Try railings made of scaffolding poles, upturned crates for side tables and industrial-style wall lights.

    Ductwork

    The practical purpose of ductwork is to achieve proper air flow. A good duct system will keep the air throughout a home fresh and clean and make central parts of the property noticeably more comfortable.

     

    OK, it’s a bold look to have ductwork out in all its glory, but design fortune favors the brave. All that raw metal can look severe, but it can also be striking in a minimal, contemporary room. Equally, it can look right at home in a space that incorporates a lot of other exposed raw building materials.

     

    Be conscious of noise implications when situating the duct outlet, and make sure you get up there frequently to dust the metal. Keeping ductwork shiny will mean the difference between a really cool design feature and an unfortunate consequence of a poorly designed building.

    Structural steel

    Steel is a remarkable material for what it allows us to achieve in architectural design, to the point that we can appear to defy the laws of physics with floating staircases, split-level mezzanines and the like.

     

    Structural steel can be left exposed to give a great industrial feel to an interior. Like exposed ductwork, this is a strong look and will work best if you really play it up as a feature. But again, check your regulations: Steel that’s integral to the structure of the building must be enclosed by fire-rated materials and cannot be left exposed.

    Tell us: Have you exposed any raw materials in your home? Share your tips and photos on Facebook and Instagram.
    This article first appeared on Houzz on October 10, 2015.

    Michael Parinchy | Houzz contributor



    Works for West Midlands Award-Winning Home Design and Construction Company, Probuild 360.