CHICAGO — Toned down from its super shiny look in the 1980s and ’90s, brass has been re-emerging on the home design scene over the last few years. While the trend continues to be strong, designers have toned down the metal and how much they use it.
Brass nowadays appears more like a brushed gold or antique brass and is more smudge-proof, HGTV designers and others said at a recent webinar, “Materials & Finishes: Designer Picks for Crafting Cohesive Spaces,” sponsored by Kalco Lighting.
“We’ve watched brushed gold and bronze gold rise for years now, and it’s definitely still in play,” said Danielle Deboe Harper, a design trend forecaster and senior creative style manager at Moen, a home fixtures and faucet firm. “More homeowners are getting comfortable and playful with it. It can add warmth and elegance.”
Whether used in the kitchen or bathroom, “brushed gold is becoming a favorite because of its nod to luxury and beauty,” Harper added.
Lately, it’s being embraced as the “jewelry” of a space — an accent rather than a dominant feature, designers said. It’s being used thoughtfully and strategically, mixed alongside other metal colors for the home’s fixtures, the designers noted.
For example, while polished chrome can reflect light and help enhance the brightness of a space, “brass or oil-rubbed bronze brings warmth that can complement natural wood tones and soften modern designs,” said Lyndsay Lamb, a co-host of HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses.”
Lamb said she loves the combo of matte black mixed with brushed gold. For example, the kitchen faucet may be in a brushed gold finish against surrounding fixtures in matte black.
“I’m still using lacquered brass or antique brass in the kitchen,” said Lamb. “It adds this rich, luxurious feel. Unlike a polished brass, a lacquered brass naturally patinas over time. It adds depth and character, which we’re seeing a lot of that coming through in design. It just adds something extra to the kitchen.”
For an even easier swap — and with less commitment, in case trends ever fade — try bronzed gold pulls or knobs for the kitchen cabinets, designers said.
© 2024 National Association of Realtors® (NAR)
