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Design Dilemna! Where Do We Place the Pulls?

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Fresh Eyes For Your Home

I've just finished designing a very modern L shaped lacquer dresser for a New York City client.  I'm using a young company out of Bushwick Brooklyn called WONK Designs, to build the piece.  The dresser is primarily white and incorporates a shade of green from Benjamin Moore's Affinity Collection that closely matches a pair of stunning night tables that I selected for either side of the bed.  The pulls are quiet and organic and will not compete with the mother of pearl handles on these nightstands.

Design Dilemna!  Where  do we place the pulls? I've just ordered some beautiful ones - brushed nickel and very organic looking and just can't decide whether they should be placed in the middle of the drawers or, in the top third.  Which looks better? Which enables better leverage when opening a full drawer?  

Following are two different renderings of the dresser with pulls.   I'm taking a poll and I'm hoping that you will weigh in and help me decide which way to go.

     

Design Dilemna! Where do we place the pulls?  

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Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Joanna, I am a typical guy, and would be content with pasteboard boxes, but I do appreciate that hiring a decorator is a good indication that pasteboard boxes no doubt fall short of the client's aspirations.

 

 Now that I have a handle on the situation, I personally like the one on the left, but I would do as I do at home (1) defer to the interior designer, such as my youngest daughter.

(2) keep my mouth shut and just rave about how nice everything looks.  (3) Point out that I was smart enough to pick the designer.

 

 If I get too childish, I am referred to the child life specialist daughter.  My talents lie more in the furniture moving duties: strong back and ability to follow simple instruction like "a little to the left", or " right there, you can sit it down now. Thank you "

Jun 26, 2015 01:44 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Great dilemna to be in.  I'd change it for a few of mine!  LOL  What do the clients think?  The OCD in me says "CENTER"

Jun 26, 2015 03:13 AM
Kathy Streib
Room Service Home Staging - Delray Beach, FL
Home Stager - Palm Beach County,FL -561-914-6224

Joanna- well.... my husband calls me queen of the off center and angled look but I like the one on the right, where they are centered. 

Jun 26, 2015 03:28 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA - Bristow, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Looks more asthetically pleasing to me when they are in the middle, like the one on the right.

Jun 26, 2015 08:34 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Good evening everyone - it seems as though the majority of people like the pulls centered in the middle of the drawer.

So Debbie Gartner and Roger D. Mucci - my clients understand that this is an "L" shaped dresser and will not have the drawers banging into each other because the husband's clothes will be on the right and the wife's clothes will be on the left so they will not be opening and closing drawers to find their drawers at the same time! I am not one to leave my drawers open - I tend to keep them closed unless I am actively engaged in searching for something - NYC clients need to learn how to do this as well, particularly in a small space.  The most important thing is that they don't "drop their drawers" Michael Jacobs!

Jun 26, 2015 11:49 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Thank you Debbie Reynolds , Hannah Williams , Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 , Dorie Dillard and Endre Barath, Jr. - you are all well balanced people and your suggestions are duly noted!

 

Jun 26, 2015 11:51 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Ah okay, that makes more sense. I'm sure it will be exquisite.

Jun 26, 2015 11:52 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Now  Winston Heverly , James Dray,  Fred Cope, Chris Ann Cleland  and Kathy Streib - since you are all southerners your drawers will probably not be too stuffed with anything heavy so I know that you are answering strictly based on aesthetics!

Jun 26, 2015 11:56 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Good evening Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner , Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert John McCormack and David Baker Realtor - Laveen Homes for sale - as westerners, you are used to wide open spaces and big rooms - so I know you all would never even have an L shaped dresser in your bedrooms to have to deal with this issue!!!

 

Jun 26, 2015 11:58 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

No Lisa Von Domek that piece behind the dresser has nothing to do with me or my creation!!!

 

Jun 26, 2015 11:59 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Joanna. Thanks for asking the question, right side make the most sense for me.

Make it a great weekend!

Jun 26, 2015 10:01 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

I think you are in the majority Joe Petrowsky - you too!

Jun 27, 2015 04:00 AM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

While I prefer the look of the left photo of the pulls, I guess functionality rules for the right. I always enjoy a bit of whimsy and surprise in design, but admitedly, not at the cost of being user friendly. Regardless of what is decided - you will rock it as usual.  Love the green shade...

Jun 27, 2015 06:47 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Joanna ... interesting post, some great comments and your post has been featured to the group:
Addicted to Active Rain

Jun 27, 2015 07:44 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

I may be in the minority, Joanna but being on top is far more modern looking I believe and contemporary...

Jun 27, 2015 09:36 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Thanks Debb Janes and Ginny Gorman - I too prefer the look on the left, but I think the client will be happier with the pulls centered on the drawer - it is a dilemna however!

Thank you Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz and you are the perfect group for me - who isn't addicted to Active Rain?  Have a great Sunday!

Jun 27, 2015 10:47 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Jun 28, 2015 01:32 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Joanna

I would go with the design on the right.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 30, 2015 01:31 PM
Claude Labbe
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

I prefer the center, though honestly, either looks good.

If they were my drawers, they'd be full of "stuff" and the center tends to work better.

Jul 08, 2015 02:28 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Well you guys Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz , Lou Ludwig and Claude Labbe - so did the client, pulls in the center!

Jul 08, 2015 10:57 PM
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