Eventually everything comes back in style again. I guess I should be happy I saved all my brass kitchen cupboard knobs circa 1990.

It has its place, certainly, but it's like tequila shots: imbibe sparingly, if at all. Note it's making the most impact in the black/white spaces, and when it's used as a feature, not an assumption.

Brass is crass.

RB Johnson is exactly right . . .

It looks fresh and new paired with black and white. I used to like the stark white kitchens, but they're seen too much now. They were a reaction to the overuse of dark, dark cabinetry and now people are sick of that. Brass looks new. Especially since it's not the bright, ornate brass seen in the 1980s.

Don't do it. AVOID these dramatic hardware changes marketers try to talk people into every five to ten years. For near 100 years all anyone had in the home was an iron or dark bronze. It melted into the rest of the house and you didn't have to spend tens of thousands of dollars upgrading it every five to ten years so your home didn't look dated. Chrome is probably one of those that looks good a long time as well. Builders brass sucks. Unless you know you're going to have unlimited funds for all eternity and enjoy spending your money on your home and all your time dealing with finding contractors to change things for you...avoid this garbage. I'd also avoid all the trendy washer colors. Red seems cool now, but ten years from now it will be the new avocado green.
I love decorating my home, but I hate these trends they try to talk people into.

I like it when paired with specific very saturated colors. I actually don't like it when it's in a completely black and white color scheme. I think THAT'S the trend. But a beautiful, earthy color combination that incorporates brass will never be outdated.

Not crazy about the brass. I just went a replaced all my brass kitchen knobs with chrome ones. Brass is just so... 80s to me.

I thought the problem people had with Dabney's brass knobs was that they were paired with stainless appliances and a brushed silver faucet.

I'm more interested int he counter top in the first photo. I love it!

Brass can look very good. It has been used for generations, not just in the 80s. It can look very smart. That's why the Military used it for its dress uniforms. Builiders' grade "brass" isn't brass. Much of it was plastic painted gold or some other metal painted gold. That never looks good and it helped to give brass a bad rap. Real brass is timeless. I'm glad it's making a comeback.

Reminds me of the white gold vs. yellow gold debate from when I was planning my wedding.

I still hate brass but all of these examples look better than the 80s brass in my house.

I'm mixing it into my reno in a gray/white kitchen. Small touches like the drawer handles, a tiny bit on the Anthro pulls and in an accessory or two. I love the look of mixed metals and it's an inexpenive addition easily changed if it gets tiresome.

Puke. Will it next trend in bathrooms ? Because then poor renters will be very au courant and so will my elderly parents. I hate the whole concept of "trends", which is nothing more than marketing to get sheeple to replace what they already have with something else...over and over again. It has nothing to do with design. In fact I remember bookmarking something from Apartment Therapy not that long ago about how to PAINT your brass fixtures bronze to get rid of the hideousness. To me this kitchen screams Jersey Shore, or at best Miami Beach. Brass, if at all, looks best in an antique kitchen where it might have been used originally. otherwise...Puke.

If the third one is meant as an advertisment is has failed miserably. You can see the water splashing everywhere...
don't like this trend. It is seriously wasteful.

I do not consider brass a "trend". My apartment has brass handles that are over 100 yrs old and they are timeless. Brass works (and any metal for that matter) when it is high quality and not just hastily bought "for the look". Notice that all of the examples here are a satin/brushed finish rather than the high gloss of the '80s.

Also, thoughtfully mixing your medals (and woods!) adds a great deal of texture and interest.

well, these examples look very nice to me -although number 3 is ridiculously impractical-. I'm a huge fan of anything gold/golden. I prefer the reddish and matte type of gold, but not as red as brass. now that I think of it I don't like brass at all. back to topic: I think gold looks classic instead of dated. of course it has to be realish looking.

Most of these look a bit bright for my tastes, but I LOVE number 5. A lot.

I don't know. Maybe in large, minimal spaces looks good. I am still happy I replaced everything brass my parents put in my apartment. It looks much better. IMO the only good thing about brass is its antimicrobial properties. Maybe is a good choice if you have kids or health issues.

#3 is probably for filling tall stock pots.

Real brass is awesome and timeless. And I don't just say that because I'm a steampunk fan.

Gold in small doses is awesome! I am currently coveting this Artek lamp, would look incredible in a white room http://www.artek.fi/products/lighting/123

The countertop looks great; first pic. The white/black is crisp and clean. The gold & brass; mainly that honkin' range hood; No. Too much gold/brass = cheesy trend.

I love this look and in small doses do not consider it "trendy" - brass, like other materials, has been around forever. My question is, can or should I use it if I have all stainless steel appliances? Will that look odd or nicely varied?

Nope, still not biting. Too much of it during my childhood has turned me off for life.

Who can look at hardware details with that gorgeous counter top wrapping onto the end panel in photo 1? I'd like to see more of THAT trend.

I'm in the process of finishing a full home renovation, and I selected antique brass cabinet pulls and door knobs. Everything else (e.g., light fixtures, faucets, and appliances) is largely white, stainless, nickel, or chrome. The pulls are solid brass (from Restoration Hardware), so if the finish wears off, it'll just replace itself. Looks good to me! You can find examples of people mixing finishes on Houzz, and they look nice.

I'd probably drive myself crazy if I tried to stick to a single finish throughout the house because I like variety and figure if I keep some consistency, it'll work itself out. Plus I accepted that silver (e.g., nickel) and gold (e.g., brass) would be part of my overall color scheme and should be used appropriately with the other colors. Some people would start to itch if everything weren't the same finish, but I'm more consistently drawn to homes/rooms where people have mixed things up and made each decision look purposeful and special.

I actually love it, but I have horrible 90's brass hardware in my kitchen right now that I can't wait to get rid of. That over-polished dated style is awful. But many of the examples above are understated and lovely and I would love to have in my next kitchen. They look more like a natural use of a natural material, not like they're trying to make hardware look like tacky cheap gold rip-off jewelry.

Love this trend so much, especially the campaign style drawers!!

Love this trend so much, especially the campaign style drawers!!

Love this trend so much, especially the campaign style drawers!!

I agree with @ARCHIcritique , @AngryRedhead , @ScuttledCuttle on this one. We just finished renovating our kitchen and used solid brass pulls throughout and love it. We are all about truth to materials. The solid brass will age beautifully. I'd also get bored with the same finsihes throughout the house. Our kitchen has solid brass, bronze, and chrome finishes, wood cabinetry and wood floors, soapstone and marble.

no, ppl were right to call that 'transformation' of the ugly condo.

the brass didn't tie into anything significantly.

the person was trying to be all shocking and trend setting, but it was not pulled off well.

i don't know lick all about decorating, and it looked bad.

so many ppl didn't like it.

do not pat yourself on the back.

just don't.

Antiqued brass is going to come back very soon, but this bright brass, even with a matte finish...I just don't see it.

Those who cannot remember the 1980s are condemned to repeat them. If you must use brass hardware, at least have the courtesy not to pair it with hunter green or I will have a violent flashback.

I like what you said, just not sure I understand what you mean when you say "it's best used as a feature, not an assumption." Can you give me an example?

I really love this. I have hated the hatred for all things golden for a long time. But I notice the appliances conspicuously absent from these photos... What kind of appliances!?

I must've missed the 80's & 90's brass 'trend' - It's striking and perfectly suited to classic period homes, teamed with large casement windows, polished tmber floors and high ornate ceilings. I don't think brass fittings would sut any other style. Our original kitchen still has a brass drain in the sink - love it.

I don't understand why so many people don't think these photos are nice. To me, it looks fresh. Just like skinny jeans did years ago when they came in to fashion and wide legged jeans will once again make their turn. Isn't that why we all love fashion and design...because seasons come and go and change is a good thing? If you don't want to ever change your house then why are you even looking at a design focused website?