2017 Design Trends: Black & Brass

As we look ahead to 2017, a brand new year of exciting design possibilities offers fresh styles and emerging trends in the world of modern lighting. This exclusive sneak peek will show you what the lighting and design landscape will look like next year and in years to follow.

An increasingly popular color and material combination is black and brass. There’s nothing new about either color, of course, but with the renewed popularity of midcentury modern design this pairing has gained new life. For so long, the modern lighting scene was dominated by sleek, crisp whites and chromes, and the emergence of warm brass, alongside the deep richness and elegance of the black, offers a refreshing contrast. It’s a firm demonstration that just because lighting is contemporary, doesn’t mean it needs to be cold and stark.

We’ve chosen some of our favorite black and brass pieces. Explore these brands and many others to make this lighting trend a part of your home.

Black Widow Suspension – Creative Mary

Creative Mary’s Black Widow Suspension highlights the artful, woven design of its polished brass base as well as the dark beauty of its eight opulent ‘legs’ made of gorgeous black-lacquered aluminum. The design trend may be headed toward matte black, but this piece is proof that a bit of gloss still has its place. Creative Mary’s fixtures recreate the natural world in stunning, transformative pieces, and the Black Widow Suspension is one of our favorites.

Puzzle Table Lamp – Jonathan Adler

As enigmatic as it is beautiful, Jonathan Adler’s Puzzle Table Lamp is a triumph of ‘60s modernism. The dynamic, geometric composition is carefully crafted with sheets of solid antique brass and topped with a moody shade of matte black linen. Your guests may not know what to make of this beguiling piece, but they’ll know they love it.

Edward Wall Light – Robert Abbey

Featuring regal geometric shapes and a dynamic color scheme, the Edward Wall Light by Robert Abbey lets you adorn your home’s walls with class and refinement. The four large diamonds of modern brass feature stunning black marble diamonds within showcasing dynamic Art Deco style. Fun, simple and gorgeous.

Beat Pendants – Tom Dixon

Inspired by the simple grace of antique Indian cooking pots and water vessels, Tom Dixon’s iconic Beat Pendants are hand-spun, braised and hammered by Indian craftsmen. With Wide, Fat, Tall, and Stout varieties available, choose whichever aesthetic best fits your space. You can’t go wrong with any choice, but consider clustering them together for a fun, eclectic look that accentuates the personality of each fixture and makes all of them pop even more. Like most of our pieces these pendants are available in many color options, but it’s the striking brushed brass and black matte version that we like best.

Hadley Floor lamp – Arteriors Home

With clean lines and simple geometric shapes, Arteriors Home’s Hadley Floor Lamp is an easy, low-maintenance way to totally transform a space. The three black iron rods form into a tripod joined on an antique brass sphere with a muted gold-lined black shade. It’s a tasteful, elegant representation of black and brass with a contemporary, Art Deco style. Add new life in your living room or bedroom, by placing the Hadley Floor Lamp next to a contemporary sofa or in a dark corner of your bedroom.

Abrams Chandelier – Hudson Valley Lighting

Hudson Valley’s Abrams Chandelier manages to be both minimalist and highly sophisticated – without sacrificing warmth. The wide, matte black cross-pieces are suspended from a 60-inch chain and adorned with mounted elongated candlesticks of finely-finished aged brass. Its uniquely shaped exposed filament candelabra bulbs offer a signature look that completes the design.

LaGrange Square Pendant – Hudson Valley Lighting

Another black and brass fixture from Hudson Valley, the LaGrange Square Pendant features a textured black frame outline with hard lines that contrast beautifully with the elegant curves of the aged brass pendants within. With two sizes available, this is a highly versatile piece that’s sure to stand out. Many in Hudson Valley’s array of black and brass fixtures can swap in polished nickel for a clean, contemporary look but in today’s lighting landscape, it’s the black and brass that will catch any guest’s eye.