Yes, I Put My Kids’ Faces on Cabinet Knobs. And No, I Regret Nothing.

This one’s... a little over the top.

I say that with love — and also with the full self-awareness of someone who has spent two decades helping families take better photos, and now seems physically incapable of not turning those photos into home décor.

But here we are.

The Origin Story: One Custom Cabinet and a Dangerous Idea

About 10 years ago, we were redoing our kitchen. (And yes, if you’ve ever done a kitchen renovation, you know it’s the kind of thing that causes you to ask deep philosophical questions like “Do I need a trash drawer?” and “Why is grout so emotional?”)

Anyway.

We had this incredible finish carpenter helping us, and he built the most beautiful custom china cabinet for the corner of our dining room.

When it came time to choose the hardware — the cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, aka the “jewelry of the kitchen” (a phrase gifted to me by a designer friend I’ll never forget) — he asked what I had in mind.

And that’s when it hit me:

What if the jewelry of my kitchen had my daughters’ faces on it?

Tiny Cabinet Knobs. Big Joy.

So I found a site (don’t ask me which one — truly, it’s lost to time), uploaded a few black-and-white portraits I adored, and had them printed onto a set of photo drawer pulls.

Now — let me be clear:

These are tiny.

People do not notice them.

They’re not the kind of thing guests comment on. Honestly, I don't think anyone but me even knows they’re there.

But I know.

And every time I open that cabinet — whether I’m grabbing a tablecloth or rummaging for birthday candles — I see their little faces smiling back at me.

And it makes me so, so happy.

Am I Obsessed With Photos? Obviously. But in an Elegant Way.

Yes, this is peak photo mom behavior.

Yes, I’m laughing at myself as I write this.

But also? It’s kind of genius.

Because these custom cabinet knobs are a private little moment of joy in my home. They’re not for show. They’re for me.

And in a world where everything feels like it has to be performative or perfect… that feels kind of refreshing.

Want to Make Your Own Photo Drawer Pulls or Cabinet Knobs?

For the sake of the blog (and because I know some of you are 100% going to want to do this), I went ahead and ordered a new set of custom photo knobs from this link* — and I’ll update this post as soon as they arrive.

They’ll be going on a cabinet in our living room, and I’m fully prepared to fall in love with them all over again. From the photos, they look great — but I’ll give you the honest scoop on quality, materials, and feel once I’ve seen them in person.

Stay tuned — I’ll add photos here when they’re installed.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Drawer Pulls With Feelings? Yes.

This one’s not flashy. It’s not funny like the photo blanket or bold like a framed wall print.

But it’s quietly iconic.

It’s the kind of photo gift that’s about you, not everyone else.

And sometimes, those are the best ones.

P.S. Headed out for some leaf-crunching fun this fall?

🍁 Grab my free Fall Leaf Day Shot List — it’s the perfect printable checklist to help you capture your kids playing in the leaves, without overthinking your shots (or missing the moment).

Whether you're heading to the backyard or the pumpkin patch, you’ll walk away with frame-worthy fall memories — all taken with your phone.

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Coming Soon: Family Iconic – Holiday Card Photo Edition 🎄

I’ll be launching my Family Iconic: Holiday Card Photo Edition — my stress-free guide for taking your holiday card photo with just your phone.

Real tips. Real light. Real families.

No fake snow required.

Stay tuned — this one’s cozy, clever, and made just for you. Sign up for the waiting list to hear when it launches. Planning on late October!