22 Sep The Return of Brass
Choosing the Right Finish for your Home
Brass is making a strong return in interiors, celebrated for its warmth, elegance, and timeless appeal. From subtle brushed textures to bold antique tones, it’s a finish that works beautifully across kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces.
As an interior design studio based in Almondsbury and servicing Bristol, North Somerset, and the Cotswolds, I specialise in luxury new builds and bespoke renovations with a timeless, elegant style. With over 10 years’ experience in high-end residential projects, I’ve seen first-hand how the right finishes can transform a home. That’s why I’m delighted to collaborate with Bromleighs, a specialist supplier of handmade switches and sockets, to explore how brass can be used creatively and cohesively in today’s homes.
At Bromleighs, they celebrate timeless design with carefully chosen lighting and hardware, alongside hand-crafted switches and sockets finished in their UK workshop. Blending tradition with modern luxury, these details are increasingly sought after by homeowners and designers looking for unique, high-quality finishes.
From Brushed to Hammered: Creating Contrast with Brass
In some of my projects, I’ve enjoyed exploring how brass can work with different textures. For example, brushed brass feels soft and understated, antique brass adds depth and heritage, while hammered brass introduces texture and a sense of craft. Using these finishes together in the same room can elevate the design and prevent it from looking flat or predictable.
Creating Harmony with Brass and Black Accents
I also believe that brass doesn’t need to dominate every detail. In a master en-suite I designed for a luxury holiday home in the Cotswolds, I paired wall-mounted brass basin taps and vanity handles with a black shaver socket to complement the dark marble-effect tiles used as a feature splashback. This subtle contrast gave balance to the space and prevented it from feeling “too matchy matchy.” The result was a layered, thoughtful scheme—perfect for a luxury home interior—where brass played its part beautifully without overwhelming the design.
The Lake House in the Cotswolds
My Bromleighs Picks
If you’re looking to recreate any of these looks with your light switches, sockets and hardware, here are some items from Bromleighs that might work perfectly:
Double Dolly Switch – from the Forge Collection in Hammered Brass
Beehive Cabinet Knob from the Timeless Collection in Aged Brass
Double Dolly Switch on a Single Square Metal Plate from the Profile Collection in Antique Brass
Regency Drawer Pulls from the Timeless Collection in Burnished Brass
4G 2way Intelligent Dimmer Switch from the Sleek Collection in Black Nickel
Solid Brass Adjustable Wall Light from the Handmade Lighting Collection in Polished Brass
Summary
Ultimately, the key is to view finishes as part of the wider composition of a room. Brass has returned in a big way, but the most successful interiors use it thoughtfully—sometimes as the star of the show, sometimes as a supporting act, and often in dialogue with other materials and textures.
By pairing design choices with beautifully crafted details, like Bromleighs’ handmade brass switches and sockets, every element can work together to create a seamless and elegant finish. Whether you’re planning a luxury new build or embarking on a bespoke renovation, the right brass accents bring warmth, character, and timeless style to your home.
