Since its discovery, the use of metals has evolved over the centuries to become an integral part of the way of furnishing.

Starting from the proposals by the designer René Herbst, also known as ”man of steel“ for the extensive use he made of this metal, up to the most current furniture choices, every time the metal is inserted in an environment, the latter becomes more alive.

The evolution of the use of metals in furniture

The use of metals in interior design has evolved over time through the variation of shapes and textures. These materials appeared in interior design furnishings starting from the 20s of the last century and had a great development around the 50s, with the proposition, in the USA, of the industrial style. The evolution of the use of metal and metallic finishes furnishing accessories to highlight the focal points of an environment transformed the vision of the home from static to dynamic. There are three main features of these materials on which you can base the choice to insert them in a refined furniture, and they are:

• dynamism: since they are ductile materials, it is easy shaping them to express a motion effect

• the chromatic effect: due to their chemical and physical properties they are endowed with many and different chromatic possibilities to embellish them

• elegance: clean lines and sharp contrasts create a light atmosphere which is extremely appreciated by interior designers.

A journey to discover metal finishes

As the most elegant accessories perfectly complement a dress, so the metal finishes highlight an environment, making it the centre of the perspective.

What are the most suitable metals for our home? The metallic finishes are made in Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel, Corten or combinations of them. The glance of these different metal finishes varies according to each material and deserves a closer look.

Brass finishes

This copper and zinc alloy is having a strong comeback in modern design trends, after being used for centuries as a hallmark in the most elegant homes.The shiny brass finishes embellish the environment and, thanks to their characteristic opulence, they can be inserted in minimalist furnishings, characterised by light colours or neutral tones. The royalty of a burnished brass finish, for example, can create a pleasant contrast with light accessories and soft and clean lines, together with gray, pearl or anthracite-coloured walls. The brass also makes the bathroom particularly sophisticated.

Copper finishes

Copper is a material with a thousand faces: it can be shiny or satin, red in the natural outlook but green or blue when oxidized. Despite being used mainly in the kitchen and in the living area, it can also be a very particular and chic finish for the bedroom as well. Very interesting, in fact, are the play of light on the finishes of this metal when used to highlight the structure of a bed or a wardrobe.

Stainless steel finishes

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, carbon and chromium. It is characterized by a great resistance to corrosion on the technical side and by a shiny and silvery appearance from the aesthetic side. It is usually placed in modern-style furnishings, but it can also be seen combined with other materials such as any shade of wood. The other material that enhances its brilliance is glass, that can be simple or elaborated, which ideally continues its brilliance.

Corten finishes

It is a type of steel, whose name is a combination of from English terms that define its properties: CORrosion resistance and TENsile strength. When exposed to the air, this material covers itself with a characteristic rust-coloured patina. It is perfect for evoking, e.g. in furniture, that post-industrial atmosphere that is now so trendy. Despite being initially used to create external elements, the latest research by architects and designers has promoted it to indoor material. Its resistance combined with the lightness of appearance makes this material suitable for furnishing accessories of all types and finishes with a pleasant optical effect. Corten too can be placed next to other materials by affinity or by contrast. It fits well, therefore, with both to concrete and wood.