The West Elm Blackened Brass and Oil Rubbed Bronze finishes both offer a dark, sophisticated look, but they differ significantly in aesthetic and tone. Blackened Brass serves a modern, industrial style with its matte black overlay and warm golden undertones, while Oil Rubbed Bronze provides a traditional, rustic feel with its deep brown-black color and classic aged appearance.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right finish for your home's lighting and hardware.
West Elm Blackened Brass
Blackened Brass from West Elm is a contemporary finish that strikes a balance between moody and warm. It combines the inherent luxury of brass with a dark, often matte or satin black patina. This creates a sophisticated, slightly industrial look that is popular in modern and eclectic interiors for its ability to feel both current and timeless.
- What it is: A metal finish where a dark, matte, or semi-matte black patina is chemically or heat-applied over solid brass.
- Key features: Displays warm, golden brass undertones peeking through a dark overlay. It typically has a smooth, non-reflective surface.
- Price: Available on a wide range of hardware and lighting fixtures, typically from $150–$400 for lighting.
- Style: Modern, industrial, minimalist, and eclectic. Offers a moody and sophisticated aesthetic.
- Materials/Construction: The finish is a treatment applied to a solid brass base, making it durable and resistant to corrosion.
- Pros: Trendy yet versatile look. Warm undertones prevent it from feeling sterile. Pairs well with other modern finishes like polished nickel or matte black. Resists tarnishing due to its protective finish.
- Cons: The matte surface can sometimes show fingerprints more easily than textured alternatives. May not fit a strictly traditional or farmhouse aesthetic.
This finish is ideal for homeowners building a modern, industrial, or moody eclectic space who want a dark metallic with warmth and character.
Shop this finish: westelm.com/search/blackened-brass
West Elm Oil Rubbed Bronze
Oil Rubbed Bronze (often abbreviated as ORB) is a classic finish designed to mimic the look of aged, antique bronze. Characterized by its deep, dark brown and black tones, it often features subtle metallic copper or bronze highlights that appear on edges and surfaces with more wear. This gives it a distinctly vintage, distressed, and warm appearance that has been a long-standing favorite in traditional design.
- What it is: A dark, chemically-treated finish applied to metal that mimics aged bronze, often sealed with oil or wax.
- Key features: Very dark brown or almost black color with subtle metallic highlights. It has a slightly textured, low-sheen surface.
- Price: Widely available and competitively priced with other finishes, found on lighting and hardware across various collections.
- Style: Traditional, rustic, farmhouse, and Mediterranean. Provides a warm, classic, and antique feel.
- Materials/Construction: The oil-rubbed treatment creates a durable, distressed-looking surface that's intended to evolve over time.
- Pros: Timeless and classic appeal. Excellent at hiding fingerprints and smudges due to its dark and slightly textured surface. Pairs beautifully with warm wood tones and earthy color palettes. Very durable for high-touch areas like knobs and faucets.
- Cons: Can look too traditional for minimalist or ultra-modern spaces. Shade and highlighting can vary slightly between different product lines.
This finish is perfect for anyone designing a rustic, traditional, or farmhouse-style home where a timeless, aged metallic adds warmth and classic appeal.
Shop this finish: westelm.com/search/oil-rubbed-bronze
Blackened Brass vs. Oil Rubbed Bronze Comparison
Visual & Aesthetic Appeal
The most significant difference lies in their overall style. Blackened Brass is the clear choice for modern spaces. Its clean lines, matte finish, and warm brass undertones create a look that is both edgy and sophisticated. It feels intentional and design-forward, fitting seamlessly into industrial-loft, minimalist, or contemporary settings.
In contrast, Oil Rubbed Bronze projects a sense of history and comfort. Its deep brown-black tones and subtle copper highlights evoke the aesthetic of antique hardware. This makes it a go-to for traditional, farmhouse, or rustic interiors where homeowners want to create a cozy, lived-in atmosphere.
Finish Durability & Maintenance
Both finishes are designed for durability, but they handle daily use differently. Oil Rubbed Bronze is exceptionally practical - its darker, slightly textured, and low-sheen surface is very effective at hiding fingerprints, smudges, and water spots. This makes it a great choice for high-touch items like kitchen hardware, door knobs, and bathroom faucets.
Blackened Brass is also highly durable and its dark patina helps protect the brass from tarnishing. However, its smooth, matte finish can be more prone to showing oily fingerprints and may require more frequent wiping with a soft cloth to maintain its pristine look, especially in kitchens.
Style & Versatility
For versatility in modern design, Blackened Brass has the edge. It can serve as a dramatic dark accent in a light, airy Scandinavian space or blend in with a darker, moody eclectic room. It pairs beautifully with materials like marble, concrete, light woods, and other metals like polished nickel.
Oil Rubbed Bronze is versatile within its own classic sphere. It complements nearly any type of natural or dark wood, stone countertops, and leather furnishings. While less common in starkly modern spaces, it provides an unbeatable warmth and depth in traditional and rustic environments, creating a cohesive and inviting look.
Who Each One Works Best For
Ultimately, your home's existing or planned architectural style will guide your decision. Blackened Brass is best suited for the homeowner pursuing a contemporary, industrial, or minimalist interior. If your design board features clean lines, neutral palettes with pops of dramatic contrast, and an overall sense of modern sophistication, Blackened Brass fixtures will fit right in.
Oil Rubbed Bronze is the better choice for someone cultivating a classic, farmhouse, or rustic aesthetic. If your home emphasizes comfort, natural materials, and a timeless feel, this finish will reinforce that atmosphere. It’s perfect for homeowners who prefer styles that are established and enduring rather than following the latest trends.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both finishes offer a beautiful dark metallic look from West Elm, but they cater to very different design sensibilities.
Choose Blackened Brass if:
- Your home has a modern, industrial, or eclectic style.
- You want a finish that feels contemporary and design-forward.
- You plan to pair it with marble, light woods, or other sleek materials.
- You appreciate the contrast of a dark matte surface with subtle, warm metallic undertones.
Choose Oil Rubbed Bronze if:
- You prefer a traditional, rustic, craftsman, or farmhouse aesthetic.
- You value a timeless, classic look that feels warm and established.
- Your home features lots of dark wood, stone, leather, and earthy tones.
- You need a low-maintenance finish for high-touch areas that will hide fingerprints and wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Blackened Brass and Oil Rubbed Bronze?
The main difference is aesthetics. Blackened Brass is a modern, often matte black finish with warm brass undertones, giving it an industrial look. Oil Rubbed Bronze is a traditional, very dark brown finish with subtle copper highlights, mimicking aged antique hardware with a rustic feel.
Is Blackened Brass real brass?
Yes. The finish is achieved by applying a chemical blackening agent to solid brass, which then darkens the surface. It is a genuine brass product with a specialized patina.
Does Oil Rubbed Bronze look black?
It is often mistaken for black, but a true Oil Rubbed Bronze is a very deep, dark brown. In certain lighting, it can appear almost black, but its subtle brown and coppery undertones give it more warmth than a true black finish.
Which finish is easier to maintain?
Oil Rubbed Bronze is generally easier to maintain for high-touch surfaces. Its slightly textured, dark surface does an excellent job of concealing fingerprints, smudges, and water spots.
Can you mix Blackened Brass with other metals?
Absolutely. It pairs very well with other contemporary finishes. It looks fantastic alongside matte black, polished chrome, smoked glass, and can even be complemented by small accents of traditional gold or brass for a layered eclectic look.
Does Blackened Brass patina over time?
The dark finish on Blackened Brass is designed to be stable and protective, so it does not patina in the same way that raw brass does. It is intended to hold its dark color over a longer period.
What colors coordinate well with Oil Rubbed Bronze?
Oil Rubbed Bronze complements warm, earthy color palettes beautifully. It works well with cream and beige, shades of wood, terracotta, deep greens, and rich blues.
Which finish is currently more modern or trendy?
Blackened Brass is a decidedly more modern finish and has been a popular trend in contemporary interior design. Oil Rubbed Bronze is a lasting classic that has never gone out of style but is associated with more traditional aesthetics.
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