I was a teenager in the eighties, so I have fond memories of the “decade of excess”: Duran Duran, Dayglo and Dynasty. The latter, TV, was my favorite guilty-pleasure: the cat fights, the big hair, the giant shoulder pads and the OTT gowns with sequins, beads and gold lamé. It was tacky and over-the-top and I enjoyed every minute of it. As I grew up, everything that was so new and exciting became decidedly uncool. The nineties were all about minimalism: uniform dressing and brushed nickel were de rigueur. So imagine my surprise when gold and brass made a comeback. If the popularity of the gold iPhone is any indication, this trend has some staying power. LA designer and trendsetter Kelly Wearstler was one of the early adopters who fully embraced this gloriously exuberant material in her bold interiors, often dramatically offset with strong black-and-white color schemes.

Both images via Elle Decor

In London it was cult designer Tom Dixon who blazed the trail with his groundbreaking furniture, lighting and accessories in gleaming copper and brass. Tom draws his inspiration from a wide variety of places: from Olympic medals and space helmets to car parts and disco balls. Lately, I have surprised myself, when shopping my local hardware store – a favorite resource of mine for jewelry components – as I keep asking if they have hex nuts and chains with a brass finish. It has led to some quizzical looks when I explain what I intend to do with said hex nuts. Even in my mom-and-pop hardware store, it is clear: brass is back. There is a wider selection than ever for beautifully designed brass bathroom fixtures. These look best when used with a neutral color palette and classic materials such as statuary marble, and black-and-white checkerboard tiles.