Polished nickel reeded mortice knob on a reeded rose on a deep ink blue panelled door
Interiors · Edwardian living room

Polished nickel in an ink blue room

Walls, woodwork and ceiling all in one deep blue, with bright reeded knobs in polished nickel on the door and the alcove cupboards.

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The look
Fittings
Polished nickel
Walls, woodwork and ceiling
Ink blue
Room
Teal velvetAged brass lampDark boards

An Edwardian sitting room painted entirely in one deep ink blue: walls, skirting, picture rail, door and even the ceiling. Colour-drenching like this makes a room feel enveloping rather than small, especially in the evening with low lamps. Against so much dark colour, polished nickel stands out like jewellery. The door has a reeded mortice knob, and the cupboards under the alcove shelves have small reeded knobs to match.

Up close
Pair of polished nickel reeded cupboard knobs on ink blue panelled alcove cupboard doors Edwardian living room painted ink blue on walls, woodwork and ceiling, with alcove shelves, a cast iron fireplace, teal velvet sofa and brass lamps Polished nickel reeded covered escutcheon below a polished nickel mushroom knob on an ink blue door Ink blue panelled door off a stone coloured hallway with encaustic tiles, fitted with a polished nickel mushroom knob Polished nickel beehive hat and coat hook holding a mustard throw and leather tote on an ink blue door Ink blue panelled door resting against a polished nickel cylinder door stop on the ink blue skirting
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Polished nickel for an ink blue room

Ink blue colour-drenched Edwardian living room with a panelled door fitted with a polished nickel reeded knob and cylinder stop, and alcove shelves above cupboards with polished nickel reeded cupboard knobs 1 4
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Good to know

Colour-drenching with a dark ceiling

EraEdwardian, 1901 to 1914
Trend statusPopular; colour-drenched rooms and dark ceilings
Inspired byCosy, lamp-lit snugs and sitting rooms
SuitsPainted panelled doors and alcove joinery

Paint everything

Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls removes the hard line where they meet, so the room's edges disappear. It is the boldest version of colour-drenching, and it works best in rooms used in the evening, like a snug or sitting room.

Why polished nickel

Polished nickel is a warmer, softer silver than chrome. Against deep blue it reflects lamplight and looks rich rather than cold, and it suits Edwardian rooms, when nickel-plated fittings were fashionable.

Match the cupboards

Alcove cupboards are often fitted with mismatched knobs. Using small reeded cupboard knobs in the same finish as the door knob ties the joinery to the door, and the reeded detail repeats on both.

Planning notes

Knobs need room

Mortice knobs sit close to the frame, so use a latch with a long enough backset that knuckles clear the architrave.

Cupboard knob size

The 32mm reeded cupboard knob suits alcove cupboard doors; fix it near the top corner of each door's opening edge.

Old keyholes

If the door has an old mortice lock, a reeded covered escutcheon tidies the keyhole and stops draughts.

A hook by the door

A beehive hat and coat hook on the back of the door keeps throws and bags off the sofa.