Page 6 - Allisons Newsletter, Lakewood Village in Long Beach - Sept 2018 Issue

color and material
IN THE HOME

by Kathryn Weber

t may have seemed like a thing of
the past, like big hair bands of the
I ‘80s, but it’s true: Brass is making
a return. Starting with a reappearance
of gold decorative accessories, the
return of brass is a nice change from
the coolness of brushed nickel or
stainless steel in lighting, decorative
pieces and plumbing fixtures. If
you’ve avoided brass, this glowing
throwback might be just what you
need to update your decor with an
up-and-coming vibe.

SHINE ON, SHINE OFF
The biggest difference between
brass we used to have and today’s
brass fixtures is the cheap polished
brass “finish” that was so overdone.
Genuine brass has a softer patina and
warm, natural glow compared to the
gold-colored fixtures we fought to
remove from decades past. Genuine
brass is classic and timeless, even
when highly polished.
Today’s brass looks new, feels GOLDEN GLOWING
updated and adds a sophistication that’s
a far cry from the ‘80s brass look. Scout
for adding brass than we’ve seen in the BRASS ADDS GLAMOUR
for brass fixtures online or at your local
home centers. You’ll see more options

past 25 years. The key to keeping brass
looking fresh and new is to embrace the space an added touch of luxury. To give iron. Try replacing nickel or stainless called champagne bronze, is a quieter
less-is-more approach. your home a golden glow, try adding steel cabinet and drawer pulls with brass. It still has the glow of brass,
a single brass faucet in your powder brass versions to dress up your kitchen. but the added touch of bronze makes
JUST A BIT room for some glimmer and a spark of Adding stylish brass cabinet and it instantly fit in almost any decor
Like gold jewelry, brass is better in brightness. Look for places where your drawer pulls will help warm and break with any other mix of metals. Look
small doses than in an overwhelming brass fixture or accessories will pop. up all that stainless steel and instantly for lamps and lighting fixtures in this
amount like we used to do. A single refresh your kitchen’s style. Or, add updated brass color on websites like
brass fixture can make a statement, MIXING METALS an oversized gold light fixture over an Uttermost.com and Curbly.com. n
but too much brass will look cheap One of the best ways to use brass, island to make a chic statement.
and dated. and one that keeps it in check, is ©2018 Kathryn Weber.
Pick out a single gold light fixture to to mix it with other complementary ANOTHER BRASS NEWCOMER Distributed by Tribune Content
add a pop of bright color and give your metals like bronze, stainless steel or Antique gold bronze, sometimes Agency, LLC.

LIGHTEN UP WITH

LEMON

YELLOW

by Kathryn Weber The best color reference is the fruit
itself, neither overly harsh and
ark rooms have their own bright nor dark and moody. Try
allure, but sometimes Lemon Twist by Sherwin Williams
Dyour house cries out for (www.sherwin-williams.com)
something light, bright and sunny. or go right on the nose with
If your house could use a bright Benjamin Moore’s Lemon Meringue
jolt of color, lemon yellow is the (www.benjaminmoore.com). For
shade that lifts the darkness but something as pale and iridescent as and drawer pulls. The Siro Designs and seats with Brittan Sunbrella (www.ethanallen.com), or keep
doesn’t overwhelm the way a bold a lemon slice, Behr’s Polished Pearl yellow ceramic cabinet knob (www. outdoor fabric covered cushions in conversations light and breezy with
color does. Like the zing of lemon adds a hint of shimmery yellow to Knobs4less.com) is clean, cool and Sunflower (www.overstock.com) to the Manz Button Back Armchair in
juice that brightens a dish, a lemon your room (www.behr.com). pale as a lemon slice. Unique and enliven your outdoors or to create citrine yellow (www.wayfair.com).
yellow color brings a sunny, happy creative lemon-inspired drawer a bright welcome to a porch. Or Add some zing to your doorstep with
vibrancy to your rooms. AIR AND SUNSHINE pulls and knobs can be found on roll out vintage lemon wallpaper a lemon slice suitable for indoors or
Lemon yellow has a clean Etsy.com. The yellow drawer pulls prints indoors on the walls, curtains out with the Liora Manne front
CITRUS LIFT appeal, making it a wonderful color by Art Glass (www.houzz.com) will and even in giftwrap. You won’t door lemon slice (www.kohls.com).
Who can resist a slice of for a bathroom. Pale yellow subway keep your cabinets light and breezy. have a glum day with Lemons in Whether you use it at the front
light and creamy lemon cake or tiles with crisp white linens will Watercolor on the walls or windows door, back, door, or kitchen, no one
lemon meringue pie? When you transport you to the beach or a LEMON PATTERNS (www.spoonflower.com). will have any trouble looking at the
add mood-lifting lemon yellow to summer afternoon. AND ACCENTS sunny side of life when they come
your decor, it makes your rooms In the kitchen, who could resist Look for light and lemony If wall color requires too much to visit. n
instantly lighter and brighter, and eggs sunny side up in a lemony looks with a yellow gingham of a commitment, you need only
it perks up your style. breakfast nook? For an easy citrusy check. Brighten up a dark patio add some lemon yellow accents in ©2018 Kathryn Weber
The trick with lemon yellow lift, swap out cabinet hardware or shady backyard with sunny the house. Perk up an entryway Distributed by Tribune Content
never is go too gold or too neon. with lemon-hued cabinet knobs furniture cushions. Outfit chairs with a pair of lattice mustard jars Agency, LLC.
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