Breaking Traditional Boundaries in Design
Historically, combining gold and silver in fashion was deemed a style blunder, and a similar stigma existed in interior design regarding the use of different metal finishes such as brass, chrome, nickel, or blackened steel. The conventional wisdom dictated choosing one and applying it consistently. However, the design landscape is shifting. Lo & Co’s innovative Duet collection defies the old notion that consistency must equal uniformity, by elegantly blending brushed brass with polished nickel. This approach, inspired by the intricate layering seen in luxury jewelry, brings a refreshing perspective to hardware design.
A Creative Alliance
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Lo & Co, an Australian firm specializing in architectural hardware, has ventured into their first foray of mixed metals in collaboration with Melbourne’s SMAC Studio. This collection introduces a combination of brushed brass and polished nickel applied to various items such as cabinet handles, door knobs, and levers. This design choice goes beyond mere aesthetic appeal. It delves into how these materials can interact with light and each other, adding a new dimension and depth to the pieces.
The development of this collection did not happen overnight. Founders Arielle Lopresti and Teegan Cocchiaro have nurtured this idea for years, allowing it to mature and evolve into the tangible products now available.
Jewelry Inspiration
Lo & Co has often looked to jewelry as a source of inspiration, describing their products as “jewelry for the home.” This influence is vividly present in the Duet collection. The design elements from bold statement jewelry are evident in the door levers, while the more delicate, elongated pulls take cues from finer jewelry pieces, especially at the junctures where the two metal finishes meet, creating a signature look for the collection.
The balance between brushed brass and polished nickel was finely tuned, focusing on texture and how each material reflects light to achieve a harmonious effect. “The contrast was completely deliberate,” the designers clarify. “We opted to polish the nickel to a high shine and give the brass a gentle brush, allowing each to catch the light differently. The subtle color tones ensure that neither finish overwhelms the other.”
The collaboration also reflects the personal interest of SMAC Studio’s founder, Shona McElroy, in two-tone hardware. Her preliminary designs set the jewelry-inspired direction for the collection, which was then meticulously refined by Lo & Co in terms of shape, proportions, and finishes, culminating in the final set of products.
More Than Just Aesthetics
Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the Duet collection is not just its visual appeal, but the psychological shift it proposes. Many homeowners shy away from mixing metal finishes, constrained by the belief that visual harmony requires sameness. Lopresti and Cocchiaro challenge this notion, asserting that, “Cohesion does not necessitate uniformity. A thoughtful combination of metals can introduce depth and intrigue into any space.”
This philosophy is not confined to this single collection. Instead, the founders of Lo & Co hope that Duet will become a cornerstone of their brand’s evolving aesthetic vocabulary, encouraging consumers to embrace bold and adventurous choices in their own interior designs.
The Lo & Co Duet collection is available for purchase at loandcointeriors.com.
Editorial Transparency: The development of this article was aided by AI tools, which were used for tasks such as research, outlining, editing, or refining the copy. The final reporting, fact-checking, and editorial decision-making were conducted by the Design Milk editorial team.
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