The Metallic Effect

Team the trend for unusual metallic finishes with natural stone for perfect harmony in the modern kitchen. Here’s how.

Gone are the days when kitchen brassware was all about chrome. While its versatility means chrome still takes the lion’s share of the market, there are new finishes on the block that are rising stars, tapping into the trend for industrial chic in the modern kitchen in more ways than one. From matt black, to brushed nickel, aged copper and even gold, kitchen taps are now being chosen as a style statement, just as much as the furniture and other fittings, with a variety of options available to help homeowners really put their stamp on their surroundings.

This trend is perfect for those who are keen to introduce nature-inspired effects into their kitchen, as the latest brassware finishes are the ideal partner to these. Team a sophisticated matt black finish tap with a marble-effect worktop for a modern take on a design classic or why not pair a brushed copper tap with a timber-effect ceramic surface for a twist on the latest industrial look?

As with every area of kitchen design, there are a few considerations to be made before selecting the finish of your brassware. Think about how it will fit in with existing fittings such as your appliances and door handles, for example, and what style of kitchen you are hoping to achieve. Similarly, take time over your choice of countertop too. A natural stone may look the part when teamed with an on-trend brushed metal finish on your kitchen taps, but may not be the most suitable option in terms of wear and tear and general maintenance.

Opting for a natural stone effect surface, such as quartz or ceramic will give you the best of both worlds in terms of aesthetics and function. Ideal for use in all areas of the kitchen due to being non-porous, scratch and stain resistant, quartz and ceramic doesn’t need to be sealed or maintained in any way other than with a soft cloth and a mild detergent. Furthermore, they are available in a wide array of styles, and can be chosen to emulate the look and feel of natural stones such as marble, which looks particularly striking when combined with a brushed copper finish tap in the classic kitchen or a modern matt black finish on brassware in the contemporary setting.

CRL Quartz is available in a large range of colours, with a polished finish and has been created to meet the demands of modern living, while Ceralsio is a ceramic surface available in over 20 colours suitable for kitchen countertops, floor tiling and wall-cladding, for a seamless finish. The latest colours in both collections have been launched with trends in kitchen design firmly in mind, making each of them the perfect partner to unusual metallic finishes from gold to matt black.