“There’s a Finnish architect named Juhani Pallasmaa who said, ‘The door handle is the handshake of a building,’” Matilda Goad tells me from her converted London conservatory, a space designed to resemble the clapboard homes of Montauk, and filled with the scalloped edges and woven ceramics that have become her brand’s signatures. “It resonated with me completely when I heard it. It’s those finishing touches that really make a room, but the hardware space, and DIY generally, are still such male-dominated spheres. Why should a backplate be any more intimidating than a bath mat? With MG&Co Hardware, I’ve been trying to bring in some playfulness and femininity to that world, to demystify everything slightly.”
The rattan devotée began said quest in 2022 with a collection of doorknobs, expanding, gradually, to include hooks, backplates, and knobs in the prettiest of colorways (celadon, pistachio, citron) and shapes (stars, bamboo shoots, clovers). And this month? She’s taking over 19 Kensington Park Road in Notting Hill with The MG&Co Hardware Store, which will offer a series of workshops and classes in everything from knife sharpening (hosted by cult Japanese brand Niwaki) to DIY basics (“ie, which screw to use”), plastic recycling (via Are You Mad) to decorating skills (courtesy of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint). Visitors are welcome to bring in photographs of their own DIY projects for guidance, along with any lamps that need rewiring, while engravers will be on hand to translate messages and sketches onto silver- and brass-plated Matchbox Sleeves.
So, what are Goad’s tips for those keen to explore the DIY space in their own time? “First and foremost, you need to have a decent kit,” the designer says. “Having a well-organized toolbox saves you so much time and energy in the long run: screwdrivers, a hammer, nails…” In the UK, Labour Wait has steel toolboxes by Trusco and Toyo that are a worthwhile investment (and far less of an eyesore than your average B&Q option), while Objects of Use is a trove of Joseph Marples Spirit Levels, made with rosewood in lieu of neon plastic. It’s worth keeping a supply of all of the different types of lightbulbs you need in your home, too, plus a torch in case of power outages.
That said, Goad suggests borrowing larger, more niche items. “I’ve got a Library of Things near me, and it’s a Godsend if you need something like an industrial drill or a pressure washer for the garden, which takes up a tonne of space.” And while she’s all for tackling the basics yourself (“learning how to prep and paint a wall is a skill that’s always going to serve you well—just remember: don’t overload your brush or roller”), she knows the value of bringing in an expert when needed. “TaskHer is the most incredible resource—it functions similarly to TaskRabbit, but is devoted exclusively to supporting and promoting the world of skilled tradeswomen.”