There was a time when a brass finish was associated with old, stiff-looking antiques. Whether it was your grandmother’s vase, or your mom’s dowdy side-table, brass certainly didn’t do much to make the room look current. Since then, chrome came in as a replacement, modernizing metallics in home decor. Mid-century modern is all about smoke and silver cocktail glasses or brushed nickel coffee tables. Chrome is masculine, clean, but it can sometimes read a little cold if not paired with the right colors and textures.

Brass on the other hand, is a finish that can instantly give a big dose of glam to any color. Whether it’s a moody midnight or a soft peach, a warm metallic is the perfect match. We’ve found three great examples from our past issues to show how brass can look completely contemporary and even give your space that much desired edge.