London Designer Challenges Hardware Size with New Collection

Interior designer Leanne Kilroy has a critique of the modern home: most hardware is simply too large.

Light Through Perforations

Kilroy originally designed the collection after searching for vintage tin pendants that she could not find. She wanted the way light would play through perforations and bounce off the wall. The resulting fixtures cast an ephemeral sparkle on surfaces nearby.

The Aster light serves as a versatile option, functioning as a spotlight or flush mount. The Stella swings on a hinge to provide customizable task lighting. Both styles use golf ball–sized globes to fit inside the fixtures, though Kilroy notes that capped bulbs can change the shape of the light.

“We tried many iterations to get the perforations to be just the right size and placement, and in the end I think we nailed it,” Kilroy says.

Soft Touch, Hard Metal

A recurring motif in the collection is an 8-point star raised on both the Aster light and the Cecilia backplate. Kilroy chose this shape because it “bounces light in the most beautiful way” when the light is on. Other shapes include jewel, shield, teardrop, and undulating lines.

“When working with metal, especially polished metal which can appear sharp and striking, I really like to balance it with an element of softness,” Kilroy says.

The hardware is designed with no visible screws. This attention to detail allows the pieces to feel soft in hand despite being made of metal. Kilroy deliberately made them smaller than most knobs and pulls on the market. She believes that more subtle pieces allow for more personality and flexibility in a home.

Engineering the Details

The Drop Pull and Swing Pull are equipped with an invisible stop that prevents them from swinging back onto the cabinet door or drawer front. “They swing freely and then (very satisfyingly) stop short of the furniture behind,” Kilroy explains.