Kitchen Design
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Designers’ Favorite Ways to Use Brass in a Kitchen
Thinking of bringing in a little brass detailing? Let these designers show you 5 ways to do it
Brass is a popular finish in kitchens, but it can be tricky to get it just right. Too much can be overwhelming. Too little and the effect can be lost. Knowing how to bring out its warmth and character is a skill these designers in England all share. Find out five ways they’ve used it in these designs.
The traditional brass faucet also adds a touch of Victorian style — something Burton and the owner felt was important. But these brass details are set against more modern materials to create something that also feels fresh and of-the-moment. “[The owner] wanted it to feel modern, but also to look quite classic,” Burton says.
Shop from a curated collection of kitchen products
Shop from a curated collection of kitchen products
2. Create Drama
The bold use of brass in this Bath, England, kitchen was carefully thought out by designer James Horsfall of Bath Kitchen. Aged brass sheets were fitted to panels on the walls behind the countertop, but they deliberately stop short of the range alcove, so as not to clash with the tiles and stainless steel of the range.
The brass was chosen to provide a nice contrast to the black-and-white. “Along with the wood on the floor, the mix of materials means everything still feels very warm,” Horsfall says.
The bold use of brass in this Bath, England, kitchen was carefully thought out by designer James Horsfall of Bath Kitchen. Aged brass sheets were fitted to panels on the walls behind the countertop, but they deliberately stop short of the range alcove, so as not to clash with the tiles and stainless steel of the range.
The brass was chosen to provide a nice contrast to the black-and-white. “Along with the wood on the floor, the mix of materials means everything still feels very warm,” Horsfall says.
The aged brass hardware and pendant lampshades were chosen to tie in with the bold backsplash.
This unusual choice of backsplash material did come with some considerations, though. “We didn’t want to put [electrical] sockets into the brass,” Horsfall says, so the discreet disc you can see in the left-hand corner of the countertop is a pop-up socket.
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
This unusual choice of backsplash material did come with some considerations, though. “We didn’t want to put [electrical] sockets into the brass,” Horsfall says, so the discreet disc you can see in the left-hand corner of the countertop is a pop-up socket.
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
3. Add a Custom Finishing Touch
Brass cabinet handles are a popular way to bring some of this warm metal into a kitchen, but how to choose the right ones? Designer John Place of PlaceDesign Kitchens and Interiors saw the value of investing in beautiful handmade handles in this dark green London kitchen.
“They weren’t cheap, but they really make the kitchen,” says Place of the custom handles. “It’s things like that where you say to the client, ‘We could have cheap brass knobs, but it won’t have the impact.’ The owners recognized it was worth spending a bit more, because once you do it right, it will really stand out and pull the whole thing together.”
Brass cabinet handles are a popular way to bring some of this warm metal into a kitchen, but how to choose the right ones? Designer John Place of PlaceDesign Kitchens and Interiors saw the value of investing in beautiful handmade handles in this dark green London kitchen.
“They weren’t cheap, but they really make the kitchen,” says Place of the custom handles. “It’s things like that where you say to the client, ‘We could have cheap brass knobs, but it won’t have the impact.’ The owners recognized it was worth spending a bit more, because once you do it right, it will really stand out and pull the whole thing together.”
Place also included brass details in other area of the kitchen, such as the Art Deco-style lights above the island and the shelf brackets and kitchen faucet, shown here. These elements are given plenty of room to breathe thanks to the fresh white walls, countertops and backsplash, which keep the room feeling light and contemporary.
10 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Kitchen
10 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Kitchen
4. Bring in a Subtle Ribbon of Warmth
At first glance, you might miss the use of brass in this kitchen, but look a little closer and you’ll see a warm glimmer running underneath the countertops and through the cabinetry. It’s this attention to detail that elevates this London kitchen by Alwa Interior Design Studio to something special.
The couple wanted wood countertops, so designer Alicja Wawrzyniak suggested white cabinets to complement them. But it’s the addition of the brass rims within the cabinets that really sets this design apart.
At first glance, you might miss the use of brass in this kitchen, but look a little closer and you’ll see a warm glimmer running underneath the countertops and through the cabinetry. It’s this attention to detail that elevates this London kitchen by Alwa Interior Design Studio to something special.
The couple wanted wood countertops, so designer Alicja Wawrzyniak suggested white cabinets to complement them. But it’s the addition of the brass rims within the cabinets that really sets this design apart.
As you can see here, the ribbons of brass add subtle warmth to the white drawer fronts without being too flashy. This has been subtly paired with a luxurious brass faucet and softly burnished pendants for a low-key luxe look.
Wawrzyniak used Houzz Pro Mood Boards and the Clipper tool to share ideas with the homeowners. “I can quickly upload to the shopping list in the app and clients can accept or decline,” she says.
Wawrzyniak used Houzz Pro Mood Boards and the Clipper tool to share ideas with the homeowners. “I can quickly upload to the shopping list in the app and clients can accept or decline,” she says.
5. To Complement Rich Walnut
Walnut and brass are a classic combination that can work beautifully together in a kitchen. To complement the rich walnut of the cabinets in this Dunstable, Bedfordshire, kitchen by House by Mia, designer Mia Spencer dotted the kitchen with warm antique brass accents. These include discreet handles on the walnut drawers and long slim handles on the wall cabinets. “We like to do a limited number of materials, so it’s not overwhelming,” Spencer says.
Again, the finish was important, and the long brass handles on the cabinets are from a small independent British maker. “Their finishes are the best,” Spencer says.
Walnut and brass are a classic combination that can work beautifully together in a kitchen. To complement the rich walnut of the cabinets in this Dunstable, Bedfordshire, kitchen by House by Mia, designer Mia Spencer dotted the kitchen with warm antique brass accents. These include discreet handles on the walnut drawers and long slim handles on the wall cabinets. “We like to do a limited number of materials, so it’s not overwhelming,” Spencer says.
Again, the finish was important, and the long brass handles on the cabinets are from a small independent British maker. “Their finishes are the best,” Spencer says.
Here’s a detail of the drawer pulls. The subtle brass handles are quietly luxurious and bring a tactile warmth that helps to give the kitchen its unique character.
Tell us: Have you used brass accents in your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Tell us: Have you used brass accents in your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
This Victorian-era English kitchen was in need of a revamp, but the owner wanted to stick with white for the walls and countertop.
“She was quite nervous about using color,” says designer Natasha Burton of NB Interiors UK. Burton suggested gently adding interest through the use of soft pink lower cabinets, subtle pattern on the floor and a few key brass details.
In addition to bringing warmth to the small room, brass also has cleverly been used to tie the design into the era of the house. The brass door plates shown here, for example, are a nod to the Ingatestone, Essex, home’s Victorian heritage, as well as a practical addition to the narrow swing doors.
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