Aged brass is the latest 'it' material. Though designers rave about its natural lustre, versatility, and timelessness, we rarely see examples of how to style it outside the kitchen. However, archival images of Phil Collins' bedroom from 1976 prove that the metal is good for much more than cabinet pulls.
The '70s photograph shows the musician posing with his first wife and their daughter on an antique brass bed at their house in Epsom, Surrey. This lost-to-time piece is a staple of traditional design. As the popularity of aged brass and granny-chic interiors surges, we predict that it will be everywhere this season.
To explore how to style antique brass in the bedroom, let's take a deep dive into Phil Collins' space. I've curated an edit of brass furnishings and accessories to help you emulate the look chicly. I also spoke with a variety of design experts to understand the origin of the antique brass trend and the best ways to decorate with it. You'll never think of hardware the same way.
Shop the Brass Bedroom Look
Warm and modern, these straight cabinet pulls would be the perfect addition to liven up a white dresser. Their matte brass finish is right on trend.
A beautifully layered bedroom includes intentional lighting. To add a brass glint to your walls, consider a beautiful sconce, like this one. Not only will it pair beautifully with the surrounding brass decor, but it will also bounce light off it beautifully.
Picking out the brass of a bedframe like Phil Collins' in decorative pieces like these vintage-style prints with gold beaded frames is a way to create a cohesive look without overwhelming the space.
Emulate the heritage look with a modern piece, and this pretty brass bed from Wayfair is the perfect option. It would look gorgeous with modern linen bedding for a striking contrast.
This gorgeous side table would look oh-so chic in a bedroom. I love the idea of buying two and placing one on either side of the bed.
These brass bookends combine two of my favorite things: aged brass and puppies. They feel elevated yet ontrend for a look that will improve any room where it is placed.
As we can see in Phil Collins' bedroom idea, part of what makes aged brass popular is its slight reflectiveness.
The Design Team at Oak by Design explains: 'Adding a finish to a metal makes a difference in a space. Brushed or satin brass is warm, but doesn't have the glare that other polished surfaces often have; instead, it produces a muted glow. This means that it won’t fade into the background, but it won’t dominate a space either, and it won’t attract fingerprints.'
Furthermore, the material conveys a subtle version of quiet luxury. As we see in Phil Collins's bedroom, it instantly makes any space where it is used look more expensive. The Oak by Design team explains: 'Brass works well as it feels heavy in the hand, which subconsciously makes us associate it with quality.'
A renewed interest in the '70s trend is also spurred forward by the boom of slow decorating. Brass bedframes like Phil Collins' are utterly timeless and will never need to be replaced.
Rohan Blacker, design expert and Pooky founder, explains, 'People talk about fast fashion, but they don't really talk about fast fashion in the homewares zone, and that does exist as well. People decorate their homes according to the latest trend, and then they don't like it, and they go and buy another one.'
He continues: 'The good thing about brass, it does not rust. And that's incredibly important. If you've got iron, it'll rust, but if you buy brass, it'll still be around in hundreds of years.'
So, what's the best way to style the hardware trend in a bedroom? Pairing it with natural materials is a great place to start.
The Oak by Design team advises: 'Over time, it develops a soft character rather than a dull one, making it ideal for adding an element of warm minimalism in a home, especially paired with timber and stone materials.'
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