Here at Papilio we pay extraordinary attention to detail when producing one of our handmade kitchens. Each is built with very individual but specific details. We have crafted a unique design experience which enables us to extract all of the important information for each client, ultimately enabling us to create their dream kitchen.
One of the key details for any kitchen is the selection of handles. Whether its a modular ‘of the shelf’ kitchen and manufactured by robots or like a Papilio kitchen, handmade by skilled artisans, the handles will ultimately add a huge amount of character. Initially there are 2 very distinct choices: handles or handless.
A handless kitchen is a kitchen whereby the handle is part of the door or drawer, a discrete chamfer detail, or a recess arch or a push catch. The only pitfalls of the handless kitchen occur with appliances that offer a high resistance against opening, in particular dishwashers and American style fridge freezers which often require the operator to battle against the suction which is integral to the function of the appliance. Fortunately, we have come up with some ingenious ways to overcome these problems in our handmade kitchens, as have the manufacturers of the appliances themselves. One recent development in appliance technology to compliment the handless kitchen is the “knock to open” feature, this simply requires the user to knock on the front of the dishwasher or refrigerator for the door to open just enough for fingers to be inserted and pull open the door.
For a kitchen with visible handles there is an abundance of choice out there and every bespoke kitchen designer will have their favourites which can be discussed in detail. I personally am a big fan of Armac Martin for a traditional kitchen or for something more minimalist in a contemporary kitchen I might suggest Buster and Punch.
However, the ultimate choice for a truly bespoke kitchen has to be a truly bespoke handle. At Papilio we have skilled designers can create a handle that is unique to your kitchen. We have designed several different styles of handle over the years but recently the minimal beauty of the utilitarian style folder handle is a standout favourite. These handles can be manufactured in brass, copper, bronze or another material of your choice and then can be finished in any style and patina to suit your bespoke kitchen. We can design to handle to any length or depth to suit individual hand sizes, specific requirements or just individual preferences. The handles are then recessed into the top of doors and drawers for a seamless and stylish finish giving your bespoke kitchen yet another layer or individual sophistication.
