How to decorate with antique metals

Inspired by the trend for metallics, go for the gilded look and give your antique silver, brass and gilt a new lease of life

Published: February 19, 2015 at 4:24 pm

Magpies that we are, we can't resist something with a shine. Metals are ideal for creating layers of texture so gather together copper, pewter, silver and steel to add inventive and eye-catching touches to your home.

Here are three simple ways to create a lustrous display.

A selection of mismatched antique candlesticks creates a striking display of different shapes and designs

1
- -

Create a subtly glamorous dressing table arrangement with antique jewellery boxes and metallic-edged accessories for an understated, grown-up look

On console, from left: Silver-plated trinket dish, £7.50, Monsieur Renards Attic. Perfume bottle, £85, L’Artisan Parfumeur. Silver necklace, £12, Rokit. Glass carafe and glass, £35, Pimpernel & Partners. French opaline glass casket with gilt decorations, £1,350; Victorian silver-plated jewellery box, £480, both Guinevere. Brass jewellery box, £15, The Vintage Coop. Brass jug, £28, Sunbury Antiques Market. Other items: Brass-effect leaf mirror, £10, Lewes Antiques Centre. Gilt-framed marble floral picture, £9,000 per pair, Guinevere. Armadale console table in washed oak, £1,450, William Yeoward. Wooden chair, £75, Sunbury Antiques Market. ‘Joanna’ matt emulsion paint on walls, £41.50 per 2.5l, Little Greene
On console, from left: Silver-plated trinket dish, £7.50, Monsieur Renards Attic. Perfume bottle, £85, L’Artisan Parfumeur. Silver necklace, £12, Rokit. Glass carafe and glass, £35, Pimpernel & Partners. French opaline glass casket with gilt decorations, £1,350; Victorian silver-plated jewellery box, £480, both Guinevere. Brass jewellery box, £15, The Vintage Coop. Brass jug, £28, Sunbury Antiques Market. Other items: Brass-effect leaf mirror, £10, Lewes Antiques Centre. Gilt-framed marble floral picture, £9,000 per pair, Guinevere. Armadale console table in washed oak, £1,450, William Yeoward. Wooden chair, £75, Sunbury Antiques Market. ‘Joanna’ matt emulsion paint on walls, £41.50 per 2.5l, Little Greene - -

Textured vintage wallpaper provides a perfect backdrop for elegant metallic antiques

From left: Christian Brown bag, £245, The Conran Shop. Edwardian brass umbrella stand, £195, Miles Griffiths Antiques. Tall umbrella, £65; small black umbrella, £69, both The Conran Shop. Vintage striped umbrella, £15, Sunbury Antiques Market. Brown hat, £25, Rokit. Vintage chair, £120; mid-century metal hooks, £25, all Sunbury Antiques Market. Striped scarf, £8, Rokit. Hemp rug, £50, Burford Garden Company
From left: Christian Brown bag, £245, The Conran Shop. Edwardian brass umbrella stand, £195, Miles Griffiths Antiques. Tall umbrella, £65; small black umbrella, £69, both The Conran Shop. Vintage striped umbrella, £15, Sunbury Antiques Market. Brown hat, £25, Rokit. Vintage chair, £120; mid-century metal hooks, £25, all Sunbury Antiques Market. Striped scarf, £8, Rokit. Hemp rug, £50, Burford Garden Company - -

Images: Katya de Grunewald

Styling: Marisa Daly

This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2023