Brass Sunburst Birds In Flight

Whether burnished or lacquered, antique, new and vintage brass furniture can elevate a room.

From traditional spaces that use brass as an accent — by way of brass dining chairs or brass pendant lights — to contemporary rooms that embrace bold brass decor, there are many ways to incorporate the golden-hued metal.

“I find mixed metals to be a very updated approach, as opposed to the old days, when it was all shiny brass of dulled-out silver tones,” says interior designer Drew McGukin. “I especially love working with brass and blackened steel for added warmth and tonality. To me, aged brass is complementary across many design styles and can trend contemporary or traditional when pushed either way.”

He proves his point in a San Francisco entryway, where a Lindsey Adelman light fixture hangs above a limited-edition table and stools by Kelly Wearstler — also an enthusiast of juxtapositions — all providing bronze accents. The walls were hand-painted by artist Caroline Lizarraga and the ombré stair runner is by DMc.

West Coast designer Catherine Kwong chose a sleek brass and lacquered-parchment credenza by Scala Luxury to fit this San Francisco apartment. “The design of this sideboard is reminiscent of work by French modernist Jean Prouvé. The brass font imbues the space with warmth and the round ‘portholes’ provide an arresting geometric element.”

Find antique, new and vintage brass tables, case pieces and other furnishings now on 1stDibs.

Antique and vintage wall-mounted sculptures can tie a room together and will work well with existing decor. From mid-century modern works to Art Deco to brutalist sculptures, there’s something to pair with every furniture style and aesthetic taste.

Whether you tend toward the dramatic or prefer to keep things casual with understated works of metal or wood, introducing wall-mounted sculpture as part of your decor is going to make a statement. Any sculpture, no matter its size or shape, will bring life into a space and accentuate the work you’ve already done to create a welcoming environment.

A unique three-dimensional figurative sculpture mounted on your dining-room wall is definitely going to stir reflection and conversation over meals and cocktails, while a trio of abstract works arranged on the bookshelves in your living room can add spontaneity and draw attention to your collection of first-edition artist monographs. And while decorating with busts, which are sculpted or cast figurative works, hasn’t topped the list of design trends every year, busts are back.

In your living room, perhaps you’re thinking about integrating a dazzling wallpaper design or large-scale landscape paintings.

If you’re instead considering creating a single focal point with a wall-mounted sculpture, there is an array of objects that you might not have top of mind. Art Deco wall mirrors, your collection of Fornasetti dinner plates or a grouping of ceramic wall planters, for example, when positioned to face the main entrance of your living room, will help you plan for furniture placement and can amount to a warm and inviting touch for an area that will see a lot of foot traffic.

The good news is that design is personal. Perhaps your space will benefit from a maximalist touch? Alongside his scores of Instagram followers, for example, unapologetic maximalist James Kivior, a design enthusiast and national educational manager for French cosmetics brands, is inspired by the idea of too much tiger print. If a maximalist approach sounds like too much for your modest-sized space, consider a sparse distribution of your collection instead — some vintage mid-century modern wall sculptures can go here, some vibrant folk art or Italian art glass can go here. Get creative!

Whatever your preference, find an extraordinary range of antique, new and vintage wall-mounted sculptures today on 1stDibs.