Moving in with someone always has it’s bumps – and, my friends, I’ve just discovered our first one. My man’s aversion to brass. *gasp*.

Now, I’ll admit that he has a pretty open mind when it comes to designing and updating the house, and he’s starting to come around to the idea of my favorite finish used in a few select places, but because of this conflict of design interest, I’ve actually be pushing myself to open my own eyes to what else is out there and I’ve suddenly found myself drawn to matte black hardware and fixtures for the kitchen and bath…

white kitchen with oil-rubbed bronze hardware // litchfield designs via coco kelley

First – some context. This is not our kitchen (I wish) but the coloring in ours is similar. White cabinets with dark the dark oil-rubbed bronze knobs. This comes off a bit like modern farmhouse, which I’m ok with. But it also go me thinking… maybe this contrast of creamy white and black isn’t so bad…

modern black and white kitchen with leather stools, marble counters, black fixtures

The challenge, of course, is that the matte black faucets I’ve been looking at are way better off in a more modern setting. However – do you spy the cabinet pulls in this kitchen? Totally traditional. So there may be hope after all.

black and white kitchen with industrial fixtures + black faucet + dark wood cabinets

Here, the faucet mixes with classic elements like white subway tile and a more rustic wood finish done in modern black. The key to this stark contrast is – of course – to add warm elements like wood and wovens.

Which makes this kitchen my favorite inspiration thus far…

wood + white kitchen with black sink + faucet // design files wood + white kitchen with black sink + faucet // design files

Just one problem for us – we don’t have wood cabinets, so we might have to achieve this look with warmer paint – maybe just on the bottom cabinets and island…

I’m also considering a similar option for the bath!

white marble + black fixtures in the bath // via coco kelley

Again – the fixtures happen to look stunning in a modern setting with marble…

small bath with white subway tiles and black fixtures and touch of wood

And are better with a touch of wood (this also looks like a much more affordable version of a remodel).

white bath with moroccan tiles and black fixtures and vanity // amber interiors

And this might be my favorite because it livens things up a bit with that great tile and rug.

What do you think? Could you replace your love of brass with black? I’m still trying to talk him into this brass kitchen faucet fixture which I already have in our office, but in the meantime, some sources for black fixture inspiration…

kitchen and bath design trends - black faucets // coco+kelley

1. kohler purist // 2. delta trinsic // 3. dornbracht tara wall mount // 4. brizo solna // 5. dornbracht tara // 6. delta trinsic single handle // 7. kohler purist wall mount

I’m actually really dying for that last faucet – the kohler wall mount in black – for the kitchen in the basement which I’m hoping to turn into my own little wet bar / shooting area in the house! (That’s a whole other project!) Of course, I’ve managed to pick the most expensive one…

If you’re more of a high-shine kind of decorator, Ikea surprisingly has this one in stock.

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images :: litchfield designs // hecker guthrie // skona hem // the design files //  no glitter no glory // terence chin // amber interiors

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