All that glisters is not gold

If you’re craving a lick of luxury for your home, look no further than metallics – glittering gold, shimmering silver and burnished bronze.
Paper, £128 a roll, from the Chic collection of papers, made by Eijffinger. Photo: PA Photo/HandoutPaper, £128 a roll, from the Chic collection of papers, made by Eijffinger. Photo: PA Photo/Handout
Paper, £128 a roll, from the Chic collection of papers, made by Eijffinger. Photo: PA Photo/Handout

Decorators and designers have joined the gold rush, recognising that metal tones bring instant glamour.

They’re being seen as accents and accessories, as furniture embellishment and as a brushed finish on textiles.

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“Gold, particularly, is so much a part of our myths and legends,” says Frederick Wimsett, who hand-paints Chinoiserie murals which feature 24-carat gold leaf. “Gold is literally woven into the fabric of our society. Around half my projects now feature it in some way. It’s warm, light reflective and never goes out of fashion.”

Bringing on the bling couldn’t be better timed, with Christmas on the horizon. But investing in some decor treasure for your home won’t be a waste, as this look is set to last long after the baubles have been packed away. Metallics are featuring significantly in next year’s home collections and the trend will forge its way on to the high street.

If the golden touch is your idea of metallic magic, stores are currently glistening with gold-hued pieces.

And despite their regal appearance, there are plenty of well-priced items – it’s gilt without the guilt.

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“We featured gold in response to the demand for luxurious home furnishings that look glamorous yet understated, without costing the earth,” says Rebecca Craig, head of design for Sanderson. Gold, she points out, complements mineral colours, as well as warm reds, pinks and greens.

Silver has a cool, calming effect on a room’s scheme and gives a dash of opulence to more contemporary settings. While copper and bronze give a warmer look – even if you’ve never been a heavy metal fan, the new look of brass, copper, bronze and nickel might change your mind.

These softer, richer-looking metals, which are joining gold and silver on the decor stage, work well in both a traditional or contemporary setting. “Winter’s the perfect season to introduce metallics throughout interiors and the trend ranges from warm gold and copper through to cooler chrome and stainless steel,” says Gary Chambers at Apollo Blinds.

“We’re also seeing pattern coming to the fore as people feel bolder in their choices, and the blend of metallics and detail is very strong.”

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Janet Morais, president and creative director at luxury interiors specialists Koket, says: “The high-shine metallic hues are back in full force and, after all, what’s not to like?

“They have a glow and aura of opulence and luxury.”

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