Bathroom interior with brass on blue and gold wallpaper and modern brass fixtures
January 5, 2025

Brass at its Best!

When selecting finishes for a kitchen or cabinetry design, we always recommend designing with materials and colors that have meaning to you and which, over time, create a story. Balancing a modern look with timeworn materials creates the lived-in warmth that allows a space to express character and age. Items such as vintage faucets, antique pot fillers, and aged brass cabinet pulls have been trending in kitchen design, and here’s why. Not only do they express quality craftsmanship, but they provide a level of visual interest. When left untreated, they become their own storyteller. These untreated surfaces patina over time, creating a sense of history and authenticity, which is why we love it! Pantina refers to the surface change of a material over time due to natural wear and environmental exposure. This year, our team at PNS has focused on creative ways to introduce patina surfaces (highlighting brass) into our custom cabinetry designs and we’re sharing a few ideas with you!

Black custom cabinetry, herringbone floors and brass cabinets in a custom kitchen interior design
1. Cabinet doors – Adding a few brass doors into your cabinetry design can uniquely complement veneered or painted cabinets. With its warm tone and lustrous aesthetic, brass is sure to make an impact on your cabinetry design. There are multiple techniques used when creating these doors. Wrapping the doors in a high-quality brass sheet and then mitering and folding the edges is one way to make a clean, sleek look. Another technique involves using liquid brass in which a liquid form of the chosen metal coats the door, usually constructed of MDF. Polished, brushed, aged, or antique brass are a few finishing techniques to choose from, but to achieve the patina look; we recommend you skip the lacquer and let this material age naturally!
Brass accents on blue cabinetry
2. Inlays – The added texture difference affected by brass inlay is striking. Incorporating a ribbon of brass into the cabinet door allows us to play with geometry, personalize the door style, and add texture. This look is often seen in furniture pieces but sometimes a span of cabinets that appears as a freestanding piece is precisely the look we’re going for!
White and black modern kitchen interior design with gold light fixtures
3. Toe Kicks – Recently, we designed a kitchen island that was routed for a ¼” thick brass toe kick application. Routing the surrounding island panels achieved a clean, flush look. This is a durable and eye-catching design feature! Wrapping your island posts in brass is also an excellent way to avoid damage to corners while capturing the eye. Metal banding is available in many sizes and thicknesses to achieve your desired look!
Custom kitchen interior design with black and white backsplash and brass fixtures
4. Hood Surrounds and Backsplashes – Selecting a patina metal for your hood surround or a backsplash can be a practical and beautiful addition to your kitchen. These are typically custom-crafted and made specific to the dimensions required.
Foyer design with custom white cabinetry and black and white tiled floors
5. Metal Mesh Inserts – Wire mesh is a metal product formed by weaving or welding metal strands together. This technique creates screens with openings (big or small) to allow light to penetrate along with ventilation and can be used for many different applications. If your goal is to put objects on display, a mesh door insert is the perfect way to enhance the display without blocking visibility on seeing what’s inside the cabinet. Alternatively, a more tightly woven mesh can hide items such as electronics, food items, or those that require ventilation.

If this is an idea you’re considering for your next project, be sure to use the finest materials to ensure your pieces age most elegantly. Adding patina surfaces to your design is worth the investment while embracing the artisans and their craftsmanship!