Expert: Jamie Yocono - 5/12/2008

Question
Help!

I have an entertainment center with accordion type tri-fold doors on each side.  There are three doors each on each side.  They fold back against them selves flush on each side so you don’t see the doors.  It is a corner unit.  I put the doors on.  It did have two doors on each side and they didn’t fold back flat and out of the way.  Now that I have the three accordion doors on it.  But I cannot find any handles or knobs on the unit that will allow me to fold the doors back flush.  Do you have any ideas? I want something recessed.  I do not want the recessed ring sort.  It is a beautiful upscale oak cabinet.  I want something to fit the look.  I wanted to have some solid brass knobs.  They just stick out too much.  I want some sort of knobs on it.  I think it looks bare and odd without anything.  Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks for your time Laurie Howard  

Answer
Hi Laurie,

One of my favorite places for hardware is Lee Valley. Just about everything they sell is of very nice quality. Check out this page:

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/Search.aspx?c=2&action=n

If that doesn't work, try typing in "recessed pulls" to their hardware search area.  I found 12 different pulls, a few were pretty interesting. There were a few wooden ones, which might work for you.

Another thought would be to check out boat hardware. Boats use a lot of recessed pulls and I've seen some awesome pulls at a boat store I used to visit. Expensive, but very cool. Try http://www.acconmarine.com/ (their stuff is amazing).

Van Dykes has some nice stuff, too. Try this link:  http://vandykes.resultspage.com/search?w=recessed+pulls

OK, I think that'll give you a good start.  Aren't there only two pulls - on the two inside doors that meet in the center, right?   If I'm understanding the door arrangement, you only need two pulls, and they might not need to be recessed.  If I've misunderstood, you can send a picture if you'd like. Send it to my personal e-mail address and I'll be glad to take a look and make a suggestion. You can reach me at jamie@wooditis.com.  (There isn't a way to send an image through All-Experts, as far as I know.)

Good luck, hope these links help,

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com