You may have noticed there’s a new metal of the moment, warming up our homes and adding a glamorous touch and a bit of sparkle. There’s been a proliferation of it on the high street and interior designers, architects and the house-proud are suddenly using it everywhere. Yes, silver and chrome have had its day and we’re seeing the darling of 2016, copper, beginning to wane. In their place is a luxury material that has been making waves for the last few years but it’s finally here. Gold and Brass are officially the ‘it’ metallic of the moment and well, I couldn’t be happier.
I’ve been using gold and brass in my own home décor for at least the last 6 years. When I first started to use it – mostly by way of vintage finds – I’m sure a lot of people thought it was highly unusual, especially as most homeware was only available at that time in silver or chrome. Perhaps it brought to mind the shiny cheap finishes of the 80s and 90s but as you’ll see today, gold – when done right – can be a classic material that warms up a room and gives it a dash of elegance.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
Now, with every homeware shop stocking gold and brass items, I no longer have to scour vintage shops or online auctions to find pieces. Gold finishes are having their moment in the sun, from the smallest of accessories to utilitarian pieces to furniture and wall coverings and there are few incarnations where you’ll struggle to find it.
Credit: Oak Furniture Land Orrick Rustic Solid Oak Tall Bookcase
The beauty of using gold and brass in your home décor is the warmth it brings to a space. In a mostly neutral room, a sprinkling of gold or brass accessories lifts and energises, adding a lovely reflective quality and will contrast beautifully with wood or textured objects.
Credit: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home
The Scandinavians have been using gold and brass to warm up their elegantly designed homes for quite some time. The example above shows how easily it can be incorporated to even a minimally decorated space. The gold is not overpowering but simply adds another layer of texture and style to a quiet corner.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
Small accessories which are grouped together can be used to give a room a bit of sparkle as well. On my dining room sideboard, contemporary and vintage gold glasses are gathered together on a gold mirrored tray. Layering your items create a more glamorous effect, reflecting light for a showy display.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
Against a darker backdrop, gold stands out and shines, like twinkling stars against a night sky. If you love using dark colours in your interiors, gold can be a stand-out metallic, capturing any available light to bounce around a space for additional glow and drama.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
In the kitchen, even utilitarian objects can be used as display as shown in my kitchen above. Simply too pretty to put in a drawer, gold kitchen tools become a part of the design, adding a highlight against pale tiles as well as gold hardware to bounce off the black cupboard doors.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
For more impact, consider larger items in gold finishes – mirrors, light fixtures, picture frames and furniture will grab attention in a space. For a more subtle effect, combine with other finishes like copper, bronze or silver metals. If you are looking for high-impact design, then layering gold on gold – from shiny to brushed to aged – will create more drama.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
It’s also the perfect finish for a warm and cosy Christmas. It has always been my accent metallic of choice, warming perfectly against pale pinks in my dining room to deeper reds and coppers in my living room.
Credit: Kimberly Duran / Swoon Worthy
No matter whether you want just a subtle touch or full on drama, gold is here to stay. Will you be using it in your home? If so, how?
