Shake Up Your Style with Matte Black | Schlage

Why? The color crosses style boundaries, effortlessly merging the modern with the classic, the soft with the shocking, and even the feminine with the masculine. Not long after that groundbreaking Vogue cover, even the testosterone-infused automotive industry caught on to the movement with a matte black finish that effortlessly mimics the velvety fabric of Coco's dress. Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of design, believes that matte black enhances design by reducing it to its "very core elements...not influenced by the surroundings at all. You do not have the reflections of trees or buildings. You see the pure surface development and nothing else." Style and Design Chief for Allegion, maker of Schlage locks, Ted Roberts agrees: "Where finishes such as polished brass and nickel add reflections and sparkle, black allows better visual communication of the intricate sculpture and forms inherent in these styles. In short, matte black brings out the beauty of the underlying sculpture." While it's nothing new for developments in fashion, popular culture, and design to reflect one another, matte black's ability to enhance nearly any design has caused its popularity in the home category to grow rapidly - these days, the finish is available on everything from sleek kitchen appliances to chalkboard-style walls that display the evening's dinner menu, proving that this is a style that's here to stay. Can Matte Black work in my home? There is no doubt that matte black has a striking effect upon design, however even the most casual home decorator should not shy away from this contemporary finish. As we move through life, our tastes and styles evolve - which means that sometimes we need to shake up our surroundings to reflect our current selves. If you are in the mood for lush contrasts and rich color palettes, matte black is perfect for you. "Bright colors like pinks and oranges really sizzle against black," says designer Nicole Sassaman. Luckily, taking advantage of this provocative yet sophisticated style is both easy and affordable - just throw a coat of fresh paint on your front door and add a gorgeous Schlage handleset in Matte Black to give your entrance a truly modern pop of color. If brights are not your thing, neutrals also work perfectly. Gold and silver shine and sparkle even more beautifully when accented with darker matte finishes because they are at opposite ends of the color spectrum: black absorbs light, while gold and silver reflect it. Black on black can be gloomy, and metallics easily veer from cheerful to tacky if they are not grounded by richer colors and textures. These opposites are at their best when working together - especially during the wintry holidays when dark velvety textures are typically paired with a little sparkle. That means that whether it's July or January, matte black never falls flat. If you are unsure about the best way to take matte black for a spin, the smart way is to start slowly. Door hardware is a great introduction, requiring minimal time and investment yet adding instant polish and elegance to any home. "Even in small doses, the challenge with black is to keep it from looking funereal," says designer Jamie Drake. It's important that the dark finish is soothing rather than overwhelming, and adding dark door hardware accents to a room's color palette can transform a room without the risk of being too harsh. Another important consideration is to decide whether you want a consistent look to all of the hardware throughout your home, or a diverse mingling of finishes and textures. With the popularity of matte black rising in the design space, you can now coordinate your door hardware perfectly with everything from your kitchen appliances to the paint on your living room accent wall. "Home design - like fashion - is about transforming minds, moods and spaces. A classic black dress is a staple as it can instantly deliver the feeling of elegance and grace. In comparison, a Matte Black finish can elevate a home's sophistication when incorporated unexpectedly in kitchen or bath areas," says Judd Lord, Director of Industrial Design at Delta Faucet Company. As you make your decision, consider the dcor of each room and the way the various types of hardware and finishes will interact with one another. A faucet like the one above paired with Schlage's door hardware in Matte Black may be just what you need to pull the entire room together! Whatever you decide, starting with a hardware refresh by Schlage means there's nothing to fear: "For those that have not remodeled in some time, adding black to your home may seem a radical change. Though it's a departure from the brass and nickel finishes of the recent past, matte black really is a finish that effectively coordinates with a variety of colors and textures," says Roberts. Okay, now I am ready to get bolder... Take your curb appeal to the next level by pairing a Schlage Matte Black door lock with a statement-making neon paint like lime green or yellow on the front door. To give the interior of your home a stunning new look, refresh your hardware with Schlage matte black and echo it with dark accents throughout the home. A great way to freshen your look indoors is to try out Schlage's Custom Bowery Knob on our Collins trim in Matte Black. Furniture with black detailing also makes for a great accessory to highlight matte black hardware. HGTV.com's Jackie Dishner says that "black makes wood grains pop out" and suggests adding light-colored doors and black hardware for an even more polished look. Last but not least - go with your instincts! You know what you like better than anyone, and you know which choices feel right for your home. Schlage's Matte Black hardware helps you stay adventurous by giving you the opportunity to try out stylish accents without the hassle involved with a major project and the budget that goes along with it. Which means that you can use Schlage's expanded line of Matte Black hardware to quickly and easily create your own style masterpiece!

1. Can I use sliding barn door hardware on a hollow panel door?

It may not be ideal but I have made barn doors out of hollow core doors by simple 'easing' away the moulded layer (of one side of door - at top) and inserting/glueing wood blocks inside the hollow space where your hangers will be bolted. Then simple glue it back together. The blocks should coincide with the thickness of the doors wooden frame (between the two moulded sides)

2. Is there a tool I can use to cut out the templates for door hardware?

A router (along with a special guide) can be used to cut part of the inset you need, but is not the easiest tool to use if you are not experienced, and it does not cut square corners, which still require a chisel to finish.Using a chisel does take care and practice, but it is not beyond the reach of even an amateur if you are willing to do a test piece first and then go very slowly. You need to draw the opening with a sharp pencil (or and awl). Many people use a utility knife to cut the outline to slightly deeper than needed, then use a small, sharp chisel, following the grain of the wood (in this case toward the top and bottom, not across the door) taking very thin layers out until you are deep enough.It does not need to be perfectly flat at the bottom of the channel, just the right depth at the ends with no high spots in between.If you practice on a scrap of wood first, you may be surprised that you can do it.

3. door hardware for a pocket door ? I want to reuse the standard door?

I recently saw this done on a DIY show. The door hardware came with the frame and hardware for the pocket. Then they filled the hole where the existing handle was located and painted the door. Good Luck