The perfect amount of understated shine - How to work with satin brass fixtures
Dec '21
Brassy fixtures are loved these days by interior designers, builders and stylists for their elegance and versatility – and they work great with simple and bright moodboards. If you too marvelled at the Three Birds Dream Home you know how spectacular the combination of white airy spaces with a touch of brass can be!
Brass finish fixtures are having a moment in Australian design and are extensively used in house renovations and new builds.
Nothing’s a better testimony to the finish’s popularity than last year’s selections on the Block. Did you know that not one, but three out of five couples from last year’s season used brass door hardware?
Brassy fixtures are loved these days by interior designers, builders and stylists for their elegance and versatility – and they work great with simple and bright moodboards. If you too marvelled at the Three Birds Dream Home you know how spectacular the combination of white airy spaces with a touch of brass can be!
From stylish tapware to hardware many fixture suppliers are offering a contemporary take on the traditional look. Gone is the tired old gold shine. Subtle textures, subdued tones and brighter brass finishes are on the cards.
If you are considering using brass in your design project, you might have some doubts and worries. Is brass too OTT? Will it stand the test of time? Can I have brass in my stock standard 90s house or is it too elegant?
We are happy to help - make sure to read our article!
About the finish
Being an alloy of silver zinc with red/orange copper, brass is a warm finish - and that’s number one thing to keep in mind, regardless if it’s door hardware, tapware or even jewellery.
Unlike matt powder coated counterparts, which feature a flat and solid hue, brass’ reflective surface radiates with a bit of translucence, meaning visually it has a lovely warm glow and lightness to it.
When incorporated in the space, it will instantly make it feel a lot warmer, meaning it will also pair beautifully with other warm materials such as wood, off-white stone, and natural fabrics like linen, cotton and rattan.
If you look closely you will see that satin brass has a lovely subtle texture, which is not only beautiful but also incredibly practical as it won’t show stains!
If you are considering brass hardware but prefer a contemporary look and finish that won’t oxidise with time, check out our recently released Avant Collection of internal levers.
Our satin brass finish, a signature of the range, has a subtle, brushed texture that reflect the sun rays, giving it the perfect amount of understated style and shine. To achieve this look, our Avant door levers are polished in a single direction. This process, combined with thoughtfully designed styles like Rivera, Alba and Sierra, results in a sleek and contemporary collection.
When incorporated in the space, it will instantly make it feel a lot warmer, meaning it will also pair beautifully with other warm materials such as wood, off-white stone, and natural fabrics like linen, cotton and rattan.
It’s up to you whether you want the all brass look, or mix it up a little. Brushed nickel tapware will match well with Gainsborough satin brass levers.
Selections
When working on your design project with brass, make sure to design the space as a whole. Consider all materiality, from hardware to textiles, and imagine how they would together with brass. You will find many clues in the colour wheel which will show you optimal colour combinations, but the best exercise is to put physical samples together and see them in various lights.
The subtly reflective surface of Gainsborough satin brass will look spectacular in natural light and with warm, ambient lighting. We love seeing it in white interiors, where little design details have the biggest visual impact!
There are two schools of thought when it comes to pairing fixtures – either you can go for an ultra-consistent look throughout and get your taps, mirror frames and pendants in the same finish, or mix it up.
If you want your space to have a bit of flow, you will enjoy the ‘all brass or nothing’ approach. For a patchwork method, we recommend pairing our satin brass levers with brushed nickel tapware – it’s a wonderful contemporary take on the silver finish with a soft and textured appearance.
TIP 1
Check your brass fixtures against samples or already purchased products prior to making final decisions to ensure the colours and hues are similar as brass finish can vary from supplier to supplier.
TIP 2
If you need to test your new Gainsborough finish, get a non-operational dummy trim handle before purchasing a full set. Check out our Alba, Rivera and Sierra dummies.
Styling
Styling is a very exciting and rewarding part of the design makeover. Carefully placed memorabilia or objets d’art on the shelves, a candle or two, or a stunning lamp will complete the look and bind it all together.
Unlike professional staging, styling your own home is a journey so make sure to give yourself ample time to find pieces that really resonate with your style and taste. Sometimes it will take years for you to create a soulful interior, but that’s okay too.
With satin brass door hardware you might want to find pieces that are made out of warm metals or in metallic paint as they will assist with creating consistency. Do you like kintsugi pottery – artfully repaired broken ceramics mended with gold? We think they would be a beautiful Japanese -inspired addition to your brass-ful space!
Kintsugi pottery is an artful repair of broken objects with gold, in line with Japanese philosophy of celebrating imperfections.
