Interior design trends come and go, but some style features are just timeless classics. Brass is one of these enduringly stylish choices that never seems to go out of style.
Our vintage brass door handles lend a touch of authenticity to period properties that will leave them looking brand new but sympathetic to the era. Brass is hard-wearing and incredibly durable. It also ages beautifully and will develop a stunning patina if you skip the intensive cleaning methods.
Once you introduce brass door handles into your home, you might be looking for other ways to compliment this decor choice with further accents of brass.
Brass is an alloy metal created by mixing copper with zinc. The exact proportions used will influence how the metal is used and the final colour. It can be adjusted to achieve specific acoustic, mechanical, electrical or chemical properties.
Brass is similar to bronze, which is created by combining copper and tin. Brass has long been used for door handles as it is stylish and durable. It has a low melting point and is very malleable, which makes it an ideal choice for casting.
Exposure to oxygen creates a blue-green layer on the top of the brass which is known as patina. While it is possible to clean this away and polish your brass to a high shine, it’s actually a popular feature of brass. It’s so popular that some people even try to accelerate the process of creating patina.
Brass is an enduring popular choice in interior design thanks to its versatility and warmth. It bridges the gap between vintage, mid century modern and contemporary. Although it’s a metal, the colour can bring a sense of warmth to your interiors. The subtle shine reflects light, or you can choose a brushed brass finish which changes the look entirely.
Brass first rose to prominence in the Victorian era when it was chosen for its luxurious appearance that is visually close to gold. What better way to show off your wealth than with brass accessories such as door handles, light fixtures and accessories?
Today, brass is commonly used to achieve an industrial finish. It is also popular in the Mid Century Modern style. And antique brass can also be highly effective for achieving a vintage feel. Accents of brass are used to introduce warmth into a space. Brass can easily be used to achieve a pristine and luxurious finish, or it can lend a more rustic aesthetic, depending on your goals.
Once you have introduced one brass element into your interiors, you’ll quickly find yourself looking for other ways to use this metal. Brass pairs well with wood, glass, stone, tile and marble, making it easy to style. It also fits beautifully with a wide range of interior design style choices, including vintage, mid century modern, rustic, industrial and bohemian.
Here are just some of the ways you can include brass in your interiors:
Brass is ideal for the smaller details in your home. It’s often attention to the small details that makes a space look cohesive and intentional. This is where vintage brass door handles are so effective.
Choose from our range of vintage brass door knobs, including a fully brass door handle, or an ebony wood with brass rose plate. This is a simple way to introduce the warm metal into your home. Brass is incredibly sturdy and will develop a beautiful patina over time. This isn’t something you want to polish away as it lends a lovely vintage look to the handle.
Once you choose brass for your door handles, you might then want to switch out your light switch plates and plug socket plates for a matching brass option. This will help to provide cohesion and avoid clashing metals.
You could also introduce brass cupboard pulls in your kitchen and around your home to help tie these similar visual elements together.
Brass is commonly used as an accent in furniture. Brass coffee table legs pair perfectly with warm wood to achieve a mid century modern look. Brass cladding can also be used on TV consoles and sideboards to achieve a larger coverage area.
You can also find antique brass furniture such as drinks carts and bed frames that will allow you to maximise the use of brass in your home. Brass is also a popular choice for dining chairs, which could lean towards an industrial look or a vintage look.
Perhaps the one area where brass will truly shine is when you introduce small accent pieces in the form of home accessories. An antique brass mirror will allow you to make any space appear much larger. You could also add brass lamps or even brass light shades. This will create a cosy warm light that will make any space appear more inviting. You can also look for brass in accessories like picture frames, bookends and plant pots.
Brass is a warm colour choice, but this doesn’t have to restrict your colour choices.
Ready to lean into the brass trend? You can use it a little or a lot, depending on the look you’d like to achieve. Just be careful about mixing your metals (which is particularly important for warm and cool metals) and keep the use of brass balanced to the size of the room. Happy decorating!
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