Say it boldly with brass

When you accessorise your home with artefacts, what kind of materials do you usually pick? Gold, silver, terracotta? But have ever considered brass, which goes with any colour and makes everything look so rich. At present, brass is available in subtle gold, antiqued and brushed finishes. In India, it is very commonly available and used in different forms. We will talk about how we can incorporate brass furniture and artefacts in our interiors and enhance our homes. Brass artefacts are also inexpensive when compared with bronze, and can be used in a traditional, as well as a contemporary home.

*We start at the entrance of the home, the main door. Brass hardware is a quick way to restyle your main door or an old piece of furniture, be it the door knockers, knobs or handles — these are available in bright shades or neutral matte finish. Brass shelf brackets are often used in living rooms and kitchens to display items.

*Create a funky feature wall in the hallway or living room with this marvellous metal and you will be able to create a dramatic look. Brass furniture can be used to create a sleek modern look in your home. Place a single piece of brass furniture in any room, it looks unique and can add oodles of charm.

*Add a brass-framed mirror to your home — be it over the console table, in the hallway above the shoe rack, in your bathroom or in your dressing room, they immediately enhance the look and feel of the room. Use brass photo frames to display pictures of the family and the fun times that you had. You can never go wrong with this one.

*Simply add a table lamp in brass — a vintage lamp in its contemporary avatar or just hanging/pendant lights in brass —and it will become the topic of every conversation. The idea of several bulbs hanging in brass holders is something that I saw at a restaurant and it looked simple yet elegant.

*Brass planters look lovely and can be used in any corner of the house — be it hanging ones or standing ones, the green leaves look more splendid against its gold surface. I have also come across brass planters being used as a place to store umbrellas and other knick-knacks, as this keeps the clutter away.

*Choose brass figurines or statues that add personality to your display cabinet, console table, coffee table etc. Choose one that resonates with you, they come in many shapes and forms. Antique brass clocks look classy and can add magic to
your study or bedroom. Use brass book ends to display your books or just use a bookmark in brass, the options are endless.

Brass is a great metal, it doesn’t corrode, but is harder to maintain. Most people are always concerned about the maintenance of brass and hence, it is often lacquered, which makes it lustrous and easy to clean. If you wish to have a non-lacquered artefact, then leave it as is and it will gain a lovely patina with age and become more attractive over a period of time.

How to clean brass
We have a step-by-step guide to clean brass using only two natural ingredients all of us have readily available in our kitchens.

*Method 1: Clean the item with a soft cloth to remove the dust. Rub with tamarind paste, and thereafter wash with lukewarm water to remove all tamarind (make sure there’s no paste left) and wipe dry and buff with a soft dry cloth. 

*Method 2: Squeeze a lemon in a bowl. Add the baking soda, it will fizz a little, but settle down once you mix the same. Stir and mix until it forms a paste. Use a soft cloth and apply the paste — gently work it into the brass. I got the best results when I rubbed the paste gently in one direction. (In the end, I mostly used my fingers). Rinse off the paste and dry — reapply and repeat the process as and where necessary. When you’re done, give the brass a really thorough rinse. Make sure there’s no paste left over and then dry it with a clean dry towel. If you want to buff your brass, try rubbing it gently with a clean dry cloth.

(The author is co-founder, Decor Destination)