Decorating & Design
Discover The Metal That’s Perfect For Fall
Step aside pumpkin spice, there’s something else that embodies fall to a T. Brass elements have been a designer favorite for many seasons, and we love how the warm, mellow tone (that ages beautifully) hearkens back to fallen leaves. It pairs well with the whole gamut of seasonal colors: from saffron and orange to green and rust. Whether it’s shiny and jewellery-like, or unlacquered and rustic, brass makes any room feel rich, cozy and timeless. Scroll down!
In this kitchen, real brass doors — custom made in India — injects a hit of richness with the blond wood. “I went through several samples before getting the ideal finish,” says designer Svetlana Tryaskina.
When Bob Dylan sang about a “big, brass bed,” he may have had something like this West Coast beauty in mind. Dressed in white linens, the bed is a perfect match for an antique wood armoire.
When antiques and modern shapes come together, this brass starburst chandelier helps bridge the gap with a classic material in an exuberant shape.
Don’t want to invest in a fixture? Add a hit of brass with a grouping or collection. Here, an assemblage of shapely candlesticks form a pretty vignette on an entry table.
When looking to create old-fashioned romance, brass is the go-to. Entrepreneur Jackie Kai Ellis’ Parisian bathroom is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green that reflects Europe’s heritage charm. The gilded shower faucet and curtain rod pop against the moody hue.
Food stylist Sasha Seymour didn’t hold back on the brass in her own kitchen, liberally seasoning it with hardware (just look at those fridge door pulls!), a light fixture and most spectacularly, kickplates. The result is luscious when contrasted with shiny white cabinets.
When paired with white, brass creates a clean, contemporary look, as seen in this Calgary living room designed by James McIntyre. Brass is also a great accent for bleached, Scandi-style, white oak flooring.
A sculptural accent table offers a sophisticated welcome in this entrance: the curvy brass base is a sensual note and would lend itself to more seasonal displays as well.
This Palm Beach bedroom proves that you don’t need a ton of brass to create impact. The metal detail draws attention to the angular shape of the armchairs, contrasting the softness of the upholstery.
Designer Garrow Kedigian uses brass to tie together this beautifully layered living room, but the star of the show is the starburst mirror. Brass inlays on the salmon-hued, lacquered side tables create an intriguing juxtaposition.
The kitchen in this East Coast home gets a major hit of drama from the brass range hood, updating the beadboard panelling and more traditional elements. Using brass as a major accent infuses a hardworking space with luxury.
This brass bridge faucet is a picture-perfect foil for the blue-green cabinets (Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke) and farmhouse apron sink in this Nova Scotia kitchen.
Brass is a malleable metal that makes it easy to texturize. Here, a large drum table has a hammered finish to add tactile interest in this Montreal condo.
There’s no better way to give a white bathroom personality than installing warm metal fixtures, including a petite cocktail table. Brass lends an air of authenticity to old-fashioned details like hand sprays.
A Brutalist-style bronze pendant is a gutsy counterpoint to a banquette upholstered in black leather in this industrial kitchen.
In the Dallas home of hockey player Jason Arnott, a beloved black La Cornue stove with brass accents is the star. Lloyd Ralphs Design ensured the black cabinets were also given brass accents (they chose a warm metal faucet, hardware and pendants) to coordinate with the stunning range.
In this lush boudoir, a giant brass basketweave pendant holds its own against the lush, garden-themed Gracie paper.
A quartet of curving, brass lanterns bring a worldly look to this covered, open-air seating area, which overlooks a pool. Intricate openwork detailing adds to their allure, and the varying scale creates even more visual interest.
This gilded guest bath uses brass in a different way: the floor tiles are a mix of marble, brass and molten glass to create subtle glint. The accent table amps up the glamour.
It’s hard to compete with all the natural beauty outside this nature-inspired bathroom overlooking Lake Joseph in Muskoka, Ontario. It only makes sense to lean on more natural materials inside, like brushed brass fixtures and sconces, and wood and stone.
A brass finish turns a tubular pendant into an art piece in the home of Dr. Sandi Skotnicki.
The custom brass shower in this century Prince Edward County home was inspired by the Bowery Hotel in New York, for a touch of industrial grit that doesn’t compromise on comfort. The mellow gleam of the metal pops against the teal tiles.
In this dove gray kitchen, brass brings the drama, in the form of industrial-style pendants and fixtures. We also love the brass rivet details on the range hood, which helps this metal pull everything together.
Designer Sam Sacks knows the power of using a warm metal in a bathroom full of cool, white marble. Brass fixtures shine like jewelry in this space.
We can’t think of a better combo than these brass leaves paired with a smoky green wall color, antique chest and pile of books.
Brass trim creates a beautiful frame on the glass shower doors, something that is picked up on in the mirror frame and wall-mounted brushed brass cross taps and faucet.
Beth Hitchcock’s kitchen drew die-hard fans for her use of classic materials that never seem to lose their appeal, year after year. “Elongated brass hardware adds warmth to the black Ikea cabinetry,” notes Beth. The faucet is a natural partner for the rustic cutting boards.
In a traditional space like this, brass updates a classic multi-arm chandelier and works well with mid-wood toned chairs and a round dining table.
Designer Silvana D’Addazio’s bathroom proves how well gold and brass play together. They both warm up the tile, gray wallpaper and shower curtian, and the burnished bronze sconces underscore the industrial vibe.
What better way to accent true-blue subway tiles than fixtures with style-staying power? Patinated brass fixtures like the classic railhead shower will never go lose their appeal.
Spoiler alert: the range hood and island are faux finished for a brass look, and that’s good news for those who want a more budget-friendly alternative to the real thing. In this townhouse kitchen, the paint’s hand-worked patina gives the metal an artisanal quality.