If stainless feels stale, look to brass

Splurge: East Linear pull-out spray kitchen faucet in satin brass, left (fergusonshowrooms.com). Save: Royden pull-down in polished brass (signaturehardware.com).

Splurge: Hicks large pendant in bronze with antique brass, left (circalighting.com). Save: Hudson Valley Lambert aged-brass mini pendant (bellacor.com).

Splurge: Lotus four-piece cheese knife set, left (allmodern.com). Save: Marble and brass cheese knives (westelm.com).

Bored with the same old stainless steel and chrome fixtures? Brass can add a splash of color and luxury and help modernize an outdated kitchen.

“The resurgence of brass in home design is bringing a new level of warmth back to kitchens,” says kitchen designer Jennifer Howard of JWH Design & Cabinetry.

The soft, rich and sleek material can provide a subtle contrast of color with kitchen appliances, and it especially shines in all-white and neutral surroundings.