Boomerang Brass: From Trendy to Timeless

Earlier this year, we declared that Brass is Back. Hard to believe, we know. So let’s dive deeper into this boomerang trend and see how it’s been revived in a truly timeless way.

The question, “Is brass back?” was posed to me by a dear friend the other day as we were perusing one of my favorite “junk” shops. I had just reached into this giant bucket of knobs, pulls and hinges and found an amazing brass pull. It was dirty and dull from years of use. I imagined the many hands that had pulled it to get into the cupboard for their coffee cup or afternoon snack. I immediately declared it perfect for my kitchen as I used my shirt to shine it up a bit. As I began to dig back in to find more, my friend looked at me with such a puzzled look and said with much disdain, “Is brass back? I just convinced my mother to finally get rid of all the old brass in her house.”

You see, this brass is not the brass from your mother’s house in the 80’s. It’s not the shiny high gloss brass that you could see yourself in. This brass has a lot more character. This brass may have a story to tell. As I told a colleague recently, I prefer antique brass to the old brass we all remember from the 80’s. These pulls that have long been forgotten in a bucket to patina and darken with time. No polish or high shine here. Don’t get me wrong, everything has its place. Even that shiny 80’s chandelier that was in your foyer when you were a kid.

If you’re thinking about adding a bit of brass into your home, you may want to start slow by adding brass cabinet hardware in the kitchen. Or why not try it as an accent in your bathroom? A brass mirror frame or even wall sconces are small touches you can add without too much commitment.

If you are bold and want to jump right in, consider adding a couple of amazing brass pendants over your island to make a big statement.

And what about this vent hood! Talk about a statement!

These are just a few more of the many inspiring rooms that incorporate brass. These designs are beautiful and timeless. And unlike the brass of the 80’s, I think this brass may be here to stay.