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Bronze: Ancient Metal With Modern Appeal
Real or Faux, Bronze Complements Other Materials in the Mix
Bronze is an ideal metal finish to use when your design goal is quiet complement. Bronze's subtle earthiness tends to deflect attention, and there are times when that's precisely what you want a metal to do.
Bronze was the earliest metal alloy developed by humankind. It appeared at the end of the stone age, more than 5,000 years ago, and it proved an instant and enduring success. Technically, bronze is the mixture of copper and tin. However, the line between brass (copper and zinc) and bronze can be pretty blurry.
Since designers tend not to be metallurgists, when we talk about bronze we're usually talking about an object's color rather than its composition. Still, there are some exceptions to that, and I'll identify a few of them here. Whether we're talking about a color or an alloy, the effect is what matters.
Bronze was the earliest metal alloy developed by humankind. It appeared at the end of the stone age, more than 5,000 years ago, and it proved an instant and enduring success. Technically, bronze is the mixture of copper and tin. However, the line between brass (copper and zinc) and bronze can be pretty blurry.
Since designers tend not to be metallurgists, when we talk about bronze we're usually talking about an object's color rather than its composition. Still, there are some exceptions to that, and I'll identify a few of them here. Whether we're talking about a color or an alloy, the effect is what matters.
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The faucet in photo is made from true bronze, that's not just a color. True bronze always carries a premium and it's often called a "living finish." A living finish is one that will continue to age and develop a patina over time. The green and orange highlights on this wall-mounted faucet are signs that this is true bronze and therefore a living finish.
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This faucet is a bronze color rather than a true bronze. It won't develop a patina with time, nor will its color change in any way. Though the name of this finish varies from manufacturer to manufacterer, it's what is called typically oil-rubbed bronze.
| Metal accent tile has been available for a long time, and bronze tile combines beautifully with natural stone. In this installation, it's adding a smooth texture to this wall without introducing any unwelcome shine. |
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Whether a fixture, a lamp, a vase or a knob is true bronze or a bronze color is a matter of personal preference. The complementary effect remains the same. Notice that none of the dark metal finishes in this bath are identical. There's no rule that says your metal finishes have to match. In a lot of cases, the effect is more interesting when they don't.
Notice how the shine of the stainless sink and the nickel faucets immediately draw the eye to island. The bronze-toned light fixtures are scaled large enough to fill the space of that cavernous ceiling, but their color keeps the emphasis off the ceiling. This smart mix of metal finishes invites people to gather at the island. The effect is spectacular, yet quiet.
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This kitchen vignette shows another mix of metal finishes. The goal is to spread out the effect of the copper sink. The brass and copper faucet, the brown quartz composite counter and the bronze cabinet hardware extend the impact of the sink. The effect is all the more interesting and organic because the metals don't match.
| This bathroom has both an indoor and an outdoor shower, notice that? The bronze faucets and fixtures tie together the courtyard outside and the bathroom inside. Using bronze keeps everything calm and garden-like. |
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Though bronze tends to show up in more traditional settings, there's nothing preventing it from showing up in more modern spaces too. The calm, Eastern influences in this bath design are more pronounced by the use of bronze faucets and light fixtures. Shiny finishes add to a room's energy, and matte finishes slow it down.
This richly eclectic powder room combines bronze, brass and copper in a tailored yet casual manner. This design needs those bronze faucets. Can you imagine how disjointed brushed nickel or chrome would look?
This window desk combines bronze and chrome to terrific effect. The bronze lamp doesn't detract from the view through the window, and the chrome table catches the light. This is a great example of how to mix a matte and a shiny finish.
| The steel sink in this kitchen all but disappears in this light granite counter, and that lets the bronze faucet take center stage. The bronze pot filler on the back wall and the bronze cabinet hardware spread out the impact of the faucet. They also echo the cabinets' tone and color.
Notice, too, the the lack of symmetry in this kitchen. There's an implied symmetry that isn't really there. What do you think the effect would be of the sink lined up perfectly with the range? Do you think using the bronze pot filler and faucet plays a role in how well this lack of symmetry works as a design? Next: See more photos of bronze fixtures |
Ideabook published on Jan. 18, 2011.
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Your question about the last photo is interesting....if the two work areas were lined up, it would feel tight and cluttered, from the perspective of the photo at least; off-setting the areas and placing the bronze contrasting fixtures to frame them as one larger area expands the space without losing a sense of symmetry. The finishes are like moving Mondrian color blocks around to change visual effect. Thanks for the lesson~
Cyndik: You really get this.
Lucie: Thanks!
Marmar: Thanks for the compliment.
Ourplanet: I love seeing metals mixed up. Having everything match is boring.
gggg: That's a beautiful fireplace but what does it have to do with bronze?
Artissima: Thanks!