The latest in door hardware: a fluted range that spans all interior styles

When the NIDO range was created by the in-house design team at Windsor Architectural Hardware three years ago, its modern and streamlined design heralded a move towards slick and contemporary hardware in interiors. Taking the range to the next level, the diamond knurl finish gave the range an industrial edge that was perfect for strong, masculine interiors.

Up-levelling again, the latest variation on the classic and much-loved NIDO design, the range will soon be available in a linear knurl finish, giving it a fluted or reeded aesthetic that makes it the ideal choice for any interior, from classic to contemporary. 

Windsor’s Product Design and Development Manager Nick Baker says his recent trip to the design shows in Milan and Munich confirmed how popular the reeded look is becoming, right across the range of interior design styles. 

“That fluted and reeded look is everywhere at the moment, whether that's on lighting, bathroom vanities, furniture, and glass, and I think that’s because it crosses over multiple different design looks, from Scandi, Japandi, natural, minimalist or traditional.”

Windsor’s design team was interested in how they could integrate this look into the NIDO range and came up with a soft, linear knurl that encapsulates the fine, Art Deco detailing of reeding. 

But the process to get the linear knurl exactly right wasn’t simple. 

“The most important thing was to get that knurl profile right so it feels nice in the hand because sometimes linear knurls can feel quite sharp, which can actually make the product a little more vulnerable to wear and tear,” says Baker. “We created quite a flat finish that gives it a nice reeded look, but it's a softer touch and feel.”

The wider Windsor team was instrumental in this process, with a lot of discussion taking place on exactly how far apart the knurls should be to get the ultimate reeded look. 

For the lever handles, this meant creating a slightly larger knurl compared to the cabinet handles.

“Having those horizontal lines on the lever handles has a grounding feel too, because the horizontal lines enhance the horizontal lever and create a really great anchoring point in a room,” says Baker. 

But where the range really succeeds is when Windsor’s special hand finishes - Roman Brass Bronze and Dark Roman Brass - are applied to the linear knurled range.

“Those hand finishes are so specific to Windsor and, we wanted that linear knurl to be elevated, by these finishes. It's been amazing, for example, on the Roman Brass finish, how each of those ridges just has a nice highlight, giving it an incredibly refined look.”

Recently the team took the NIDO range to the Melbourne Design Show and shared the latest reeded look with the industry, garnering a lot of attention and positive feedback from designers. 

“The range was very positively received,” says Baker, “and we’re expecting it to be even more popular than the diamond knurl.”

But the design team is not resting on its laurels and is constantly innovating to expand the depth of the NIDO range.

“Right from door handles down to cabinet handles, flush pulls, and other accessories, we're always working to add to the range so that customers can have a seamless look right throughout their interiors.”

Explore the NIDO range from Windsor Architectural Hardware