Why Patina Might Be The Secret Ingredient To Timeless Design

There’s something magical about a finish that tells a story. Patina — the soft, aged look that develops on materials like brass, copper, and wood over time — has a way of instantly making a home feel warm, lived-in, and full of character. Whether we’re designing a brand-new build or restoring a historic property, we love wearing in these “perfectly imperfect” details to soften the edges of a space and give it a timeless quality from day one.

Why We Love Patina

Instead of something shiny and flawless, patina offers a finish that feels approachable and storied. It’s a gentle nod to the past, even in the most modern of homes. And perhaps the best part? It invites living — without fear of every little mark or fingerprint.

Where We Use It

In our Excelsior Bay project, we leaned into the home’s history with aged brass plumbing designed to look beautifully antiqued upon installations — and to continue developing more character as the years pass. The result? A “vintage, always-there” feeling that grounds the home.

We often times use it in brand-new homes that want that warm, collected look right away.

While lighting and hardware are our most common uses for patina, smaller styling touches — a brass bowl on a coffee table, an antique picture frame layered on a bookshelf — add that same warmth in subtle ways.

Pairing Patina With Other Materials

Patina plays well with others. It’s just as at home alongside honed marble and rich woods as it is with rattan, wicker, or even polished metals. Our go-to formula for a balanced room: an aged or patinaed metal, a natural texture, and a painted or stained wood.

It’s not about matching — it’s about mixing with intention.

The Timeless Appeal

Patina isn’t precious — it welcomes use. It’s forgiving of the little signs of life, making it perfect for spaces you truly live in. And if you ever want to restore its original gleam? A brass polishing compound and a soft cloth will do the trick.

Warmly,