Just when you thought you’d exhausted all options for metal accents, brass brings a classy shake-up to interiors.

Brass is back, decorators, and in a big way. Rose gold’s cooler cousin, this metal is making a long-overdue reappearance in modern homes, taking a cue from Europe’s love of antique brass pieces. The fantastic thing about this metal is that its finishes are as versatile as its uses. ‘We are seeing more and more of it emerging in interiors and furniture pieces, taking over from the old chrome and stainless steel look,’ says Nicky Goldstone, director and owner of Designs by Day Interiors. Visualising something along the lines of your grandmother’s living-room chandelier or those antique bankers’ desk lamps? Don’t worry, brass can unlock a whole new world of design potential. ‘It has changed from its old traditional application and emerged modern and on-trend with clean, fresh lines,’ says Nicky.

Be big and bold

If you want to inject some seriously classy bling into your home, consider using brass. The metal’s composition of copper and zinc makes it a durable option for larger surfaces such as feature walls, stairs and cabinet panels. Don’t overdo it though! ‘Remember, your home decor needs to last five-years plus before you part with more money to refresh and renovate again. So, make wise choices with where to spend the money to bring in brass,’ says Nicky.

Add an Accent

Unless you’re really committed to the look, Nicky advises adding brass in small pieces as accents. That way, if you grow tired of it, it will be relatively easy and inexpensive to replace. As when following any fashion, you want your home to stylishly and subtly express the trend without being obvious. Try adding a splash of metal to a tiled wall by using metallic grout. (This product is not widely available here in South Africa just yet, but you can mix your own.) Use it in-between tiles, or even in the cracks of broken tiles for a more rustic look. A fan of mosaics? Brass-leaf sheets can be used in much the same way as gold leaf in accent spaces such as your kitchen splashback to give it a modern update that doesn’t scream kitsch.

Go shopping

Luckily, South African interiors experts are not far behind those on the international front, which means we have access to brass in plenty of different forms to suit whatever project you have in mind. For larger brass sheeting, Max On Top (maxontop.co.za) and Blue 7 Engineering (blue7.co.za) have your back with sheets cut to size. For more delicate pops of metal and to put a freshspin on the trend, contact Designs by Day Interiors for inspiration and custom pieces (designsbyday.co.za), and visit Euro Brass (eurobrass.co.za) for all the

Taking care of your brass

‘Don’t be afraid to use brass in its different forms: solid shiny brass, or electroplated shiny or antique brass,’ says Nicky. ‘However, be sure to use it in its correct application. Always remember that metal is reactive and needs proper coating to ensure its longevity. Check that your solid brass is coated with a sealant to prevent it from tarnishing too quickly. The same goes for your electroplated items, otherwise, you will be pulling your hair out when your beautiful items start looking shabby.’