Silicon bronze is the preferred alloy for many of our cabinet pull castings and it’s high 96% copper level explains it’s red brown tones. The remaining 4% is made up primarily of silicon which is added to increase the strength and durability of the casting.
When choosing a complimentary pull for a cabinet while the alloy sets the stage for color the luster of the alloy plays an important part as this will determine how much light is reflected and how much color is perceived.
To a skilled designer neither the alloy color or luster are left to chance but are carefully balanced against the cabinet color and other hardware to create a pleasing setting.
Photo Courtesy of Anjali Pollack Design
Finish of Sprig Pull: Satin Bronze
Anjali Pollack, a well known international designer based in New York recently shared with me photos she took of the Willow sprigs she commissioned in bronze for a wet bar in a Manhattan residence. When choosing, Anjali Pollack considered the sprig in light and dark patinas and lusters ranging from brushed to polished. The result is a sophisticated welcoming wet bar come art nook. The sink and faucet are both in a satin nickel finish and the top is inset with an antique highly reflective glass.
Finish top to bottom; Polished, Satin,Light Antique patina on Satin, Dark Antique on Satin.
The sprig pull is a collections of willow leaves that are directional and make a left or right hand cabinet door pull. The leaves form deep crevices which are accentuated when the sprig is finished with a dark patina. The dark patina absorbs light and does not reflect the color of surrounding color, contrast this with the satin lightly polished finish chosen by Anjali Pollack which beautifully picks up the surrounding green grey and tones of the cabinet and walls.
Brushed, satin and polished finishes in metal are created by applying different grades of abrasive compounds to the surface of the piece and by moving the belt sander in a circular or directional way. As you progress from coarse to finer grits, so to do the machine lines left in the surface until an extremely fine grit leaves almost no visible surface line resulting in a highly polished finish.