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Help! Drawer labels: Coolest thing ever or silly?

18 years ago

So, I was planning to get cup pulls for my drawers and little round knobs for the doors, probably oil-rubbed bronze or a similar finish. It will be an old-fashioned, farmhouse type kitchen.

Then ... I was looking around online and found these label holders that are made to put on drawers. Some have a pull integrated, and some are just for the label. These would look so cool on my kitchen drawers!! I love anything that is like an old fashioned general store or office or something, and these are definitely that.

Please take a look at them and tell me what you think. Has anyone ever used something like this or seen it used? Do you think it would be cool or would it look stupid? I'm not even sure what I would write on them - forks? dishtowels?

Here's a link below, and there are also some more at www.thehardwarehut.com.

Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Label holders

Comments (17)

  • 18 years ago

    It is very cool for the right kitchen....such as the one you described!

  • 18 years ago

    I love them love them love them! Not only do they look wonderful, I think they'd be terrifically helpful for any guest in your kitchen or child learning to read. Talk about a win-win!

    My children are not yet reading so we have pictures of things velcroed or taped onto the drawers -- not so attractive but they're learning where to put things. (I have photos in their playroom, in their bedrooms and bathrooms, in the kitchen.) Anyway, you can see where I'm coming from that perspective.

    Some dear friends of ours are in their late 70s and they have, in a HUGE font, labels on all the doors / drawers in their kitchen for guests. Whenever we visit I'll tell you, it makes it so easy for us to help in the kitchen!

    But what you've shown are even better in that they're aesthetically pleasing. I really love them.

    If you do choose them, get a cool looking font (I'm addicted to My Fonts) to print out your labels, and then remember to post pictures so we can see them!

  • 18 years ago

    A novel idea for kitchen use and adds nice general store look too. I like the look of the integrated pull ones. Gulp, at about $30 each.

    But...

    Little Johnny: "Mom, I wanna help. Where are the dish towels."

    Mom: "They're in the drawer labeled "Misc" ... the bottom one, not the top one that's also labeled "Misc".

    Of course, anyone organized enough to have labeling, wouldn't have two "Misc" drawers.

  • 18 years ago

    I think the decision is really a personal one. They do have some very attractive pieces with a nice variety of style & finish... However, not to be the dissenting voice, they feel very business-like file-drawerish like to me (perhaps, because that is where I typically see them).

    With anything though, it really boils down to what YOU like & what you want to live with in your kitchen. Good luck in your choices!

  • 18 years ago

    I would just be careful what material the labels are. Paper would look bad pretty quick, from water drips or little fingers, grease, etc.

  • 18 years ago

    Well, I don't think you'd see them in an old fashioned farmhouse unless they were using recycled drawers that came with them, but you said, "I love anything that is like an old fashioned general store." And they would be. So if you love it, go for it!

    If you want to increase the cool factor, unless you're using them to teach reading as mentioned by Rmkitchen and Teedup1, you can come up with creative or poetic labels, e.g., "Wipe Out!" for dishtowels. Just be careful not to get too hokey if you want them to be cool :)

  • 18 years ago

    Although they are cute, I'm not sure I'd want them on every drawer. However, one or two with really clever labels would add a touch of whimsy and be a real conversation piece. JMHO

  • 18 years ago

    Interesting...not for me, but my preference is for a European/French Country look. In addition to a "General Store" look, they also remind of the old card catalogs in libraries (a plus, I think!)

    If you go strictly utilitarian, I would use things like "Flatware", "Cooking Utensils","Prep Utensils", "Linens", "Pot Holders", etc.

    If you only do some drawers, I'd label things guests or children (if you have them) would be most interested in.

    As to whimsy...I think it would be cool to label most of them "utilitarian" with just a few whimsical ones thrown in the mix--sort of a "surprise"!

  • 18 years ago

    i like em! i would just put clear contact paper over your labels before inserting. that will keep them from getting ratty. i would use an old timey font though...like copperplate.
    part of me thinks that they might get old though after a year or so. i see that many of them have three holes...i would only drill the two holes at each side that could also accomodate a regular bail or cup pull and not drill the third hole. that way, if you get sick of them, they can be replaced easily. are the two side holes at a standard width like 3.5??

  • 18 years ago

    They remind me of something you would put on an antique desk or file cabinet, rather than in a kitchen. I think the novelty would wear off and then you'd be stuck with the holes already drilled into the drawers.

  • 18 years ago

    What if you only did them on the top drawer in a stack? Or one area (baking comes to mind first) But then you have to find a similar style without the label holder.

    I think they are fun, and I've seen them in some older style kitchen photos (not in person), but I'm not sure I'd want them on al my drawers. I guess part of it is not only the style of your kitchen but also how many drawers you have. All my lowers are drawers except the sink bases and a trash pullout that has a drawer pull. If you use them, I would print out you labels on a sheet of cardstock and have it laminated. Save the sheet on your computer so you can modify or print a new set if yuo need to someday.

  • 18 years ago

    I love them!! I have always wanted to use these in a kitchen. I don't think I'd like them on every drawer though. I have always thought that they would look best in a kitchen that's designed to look "unfitted," combining different furniture pieces and cabinet styles. Someone on the forum had an old general store counter or something that she used as an island, and I think it had the cute little label holders on the drawers. Does anyone else remember that? It was a pretty little green breakfast room, the island was black, she had soapstone and a white shelf unit on the wall, with copper pots and things here and there. I wish I could remember who that was. I'll try and find it in the FKB for you. Meanwhile, I say go for it, but maybe not on all your drawers.

  • 18 years ago

    Like it! They make me want to name my drawers, and certainly dress them up for the holidays.

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks for all the comments. As much as I love these, after much thought (and discouragement from my mom) I have decided to go with the pull linked below instead (probably). But, I'm keeping the label pulls in mind and might use them on a desk or filing cabinet someday. My desk needs its handles replaced, so it might be perfect.

    Here is a link that might be useful: My probable pull

  • 18 years ago

    Hey,
    Your new pulls are pretty (esp. after seeing so many of the same types of cup pulls being used), but I sure like the ones you first posted. I think you could have a nice time picking out fonts and making them look special and I LOVE anything that makes a kitchen more user-friendly for family and treasured guests.
    I guess it boils down to the style you are aiming for and you presonal preference. Don't let anyone talk you out of something you prefer because it is not commonly done. That actually would make me want to do it more, lol!

  • 18 years ago

    I would think about it again. Give it a rest and come back to it later and see if you still feel the same way.

    Another option (and one I'd recommend) is to order one of each one you are seriously considering and trying them in your kitchen -- placing them on your cabinets and seeing what works. You may have to sleep on that choice too. Maybe you'll mix them up.

    I think you can go either way, but if you really love them, I'd hate to see you give up on them becausse of what someone else might want. You really need some things you love. Think somemore -- make YOUR decision.

  • 18 years ago

    I agree that it's just a personal decision of what YOU like.They look very nice, but the first thought that came to my mind when I saw them was "old library". If I saw them in an Arts & Crafts or country kitchen, I'd think, "How cute . . . but not for me!"