Discover the Elegance and Versatility of Brushed Nickel

A Timeless Beauty

Certain colours and finishes roll in and out of fashion over time. Others - such is their beauty - have a timeless quality to them.

One such finish is Brushed Nickel. Its unique blend of charm, subtle elegance combined with its versatility has made it a favourite in modern and traditional settings.

In this article, we'll explore the trends, history, and emotions surrounding Brushed Nickel. We'll also share with you some images of this exquisite finish in our ETO Brushed Nickel Shower Enclosures.

Table of Contents

• What Colour is Brushed Nickel
• A Brief History of Brushed Nickel
• The Rise of Brushed Nickel in Interior Design
• The Emotions Behind Brushed Nickel
• Brushed Nickel in Modern Design
• Are Brushed Nickel and Stainless Steel the Same
• Why Choose Brushed Nickel
• ETO Brushed Nickel Collection
• Why Choose Flair Shower's Brushed Nickel
• Conclusion
  

What Colour is Brushed Nickel

Brushed Nickel can appear to change colour as the light changes throughout the day. This finish has a soft, matte sheen that interacts subtly with light.

In bright, natural daylight, Brushed Nickel tends to showcase its true silvery-grey tone, reflecting a clean, modern look. As the light dims and shifts to warmer tones, such as during sunrise or sunset, the finish can take on a warmer hue, a soft glow seems to emanate from it.

With its warm, muted sheen, Brushed Nickel exudes understated luxury.

Known for its subtle lustre, Brushed Nickel offers a sophisticated alternative to the gleam of polished chrome. Its textured surface is masterfully crafted to diffuse light, providing a gentle glow that enriches any space with a cosy ambiance.

A Brief History of Brushed Nickel

Nickel as a material has been used for centuries, but it wasn't until the early 20th century that Brushed Nickel, with its distinctive texture and finish, began to emerge.

The brushing technique - from which its name is derived - involves creating small, uniform scratches on the surface of the metal, which diffuses light and gives it a special appearance.

This process not only improves the metal's durability but also gives it a unique visual appeal that polished metals lack.

Under different lighting conditions Brushed Nickel glows with a soft golden light and at other times it appears as silver.

Brushed Nickel Shower Doors bring a soft, stylish finish to any bathroom.

The Rise of Brushed Nickel in Interior Design

Brushed Nickel has become increasingly popular in recent years, reflecting a broader trend toward understated luxury in home decor.

Unlike its polished counterparts such as Silver Chrome, Brushed Nickel offers a softer, more muted shine. This makes it a perfect choice for those seeking a sophisticated, yet subtle aesthetic.

Its popularity extends across various fixtures and fittings, from faucets and cabinet hardware to light fixtures and, of course, our award-winning collection of shower enclosures.

The Emotions Behind Brushed Nickel

Colours evoke emotions. It's key when selecting finishes for your bathroom to consider not just the aesthetic appeal of each colour but also the feeling each colour will draw from you.

• Calm and Serenity: With its soft, brushed finish Brushed Nickel exudes a sense of calm and tranquillity.
• Contentment: The understated elegance of Brushed Nickel gives it a timeless quality. A deep sense of connection and purpose can be felt when you surround yourself with things which endure for many lifetimes.
• Joy: Its neutral yet distinctive hue allows Brushed Nickel to complement a wide variety of colour schemes and design styles, from contemporary to classic. There's a joy to be had in beholding a colour that changes ever so slightly with the phases of the day, the seasons of the year.

Brushed Nickel in Modern Design Trends

In contemporary interior design, Brushed Nickel is often used to add a touch of luxury without overpowering the overall aesthetic. Flair Shower's Brushed Nickel Shower Enclosure's form part of our award-winning ETO Collection. The elegant profile shape of our shower doors bring a timeless, yet contemporary finish to every bathroom.

Brushed Nickel goes beautifully with both cool and warm colour palettes, improving the visual harmony and appeal of a space.

Our ETO Collection of Brushed Nickel Shower Doors offer a perfect balance of form and function, combining durability with a beautiful, elegance finish.

Are Brushed Nickel and Stainless Steel the same?

Material Composition:

• Brushed Nickel: Typically involves a layer of nickel plated over a base metal such as brass or zinc, followed by a brushing process to create a textured finish.
• Stainless Steel: An alloy predominantly made up of iron, carbon, and chromium, with chromium providing its notable resistance to corrosion.

Appearance:

• Brushed Nickel: Exhibits a warm, silvery-grey colour with a matte finish. The brushing technique introduces fine, linear scratches that diffuse light and minimize glare, giving it a softer, slightly warmer look than Stainless Steel.
• Stainless Steel: Usually has a cooler, polished silver look, often with a smooth or lightly brushed surface. It reflects light more sharply, offering a more modern, industrial appearance.

Maintenance and Durability:

• Brushed Nickel: Resists tarnishing and corrosion.
• Stainless Steel: Highly resistant to rust, corrosion. It is more robust and suitable for areas with industrial use.

Cost:

• Brushed Nickel: Often more expensive due to the additional plating and finishing processes involved.
• Stainless Steel: Typically more economical, especially for larger applications where strength and durability are essential.

Use Cases:

• Brushed Nickel: Popular in residential settings for fixtures and hardware, adding an elegant and warm touch to the decor.
• Stainless Steel: Widely used in commercial and industrial environments.

In summary, while both finishes are favoured for their aesthetic qualities and durability, they differ significantly in terms of material composition, appearance, upkeep, and cost.

Why Choose Brushed Nickel in your Bathroom?

One of the great strengths of Brushed Nickel is its versatility; it complements a wide array of colour palettes and decor styles, from the rustic charm of a country cottage to the sleek contours of a modern urban loft.

Its satin finish is not just about aesthetics but also practicality—it masks fingerprints and water spots, ensuring that its beauty is effortless to maintain.

In essence, brushed nickel marries the best of durability and design, making it a beloved choice for those who appreciate enduring style and functionality.

ETO Collection in Brushed Nickel

At Flair Showers, we are excited to announce that our ETO Brushed Nickel range of shower enclosures is now in stock and available for our retail partners to order. Find your local Flair Retailer here. Our collection includes a variety of styles to suit different needs and preferences:

• Infold Door
• Sliding Door
• One Door Quadrant
• One Door Offset Quadrant
• Inline Panels

Each piece in our ETO Brushed Nickel range is designed to enhance the beauty and functionality of any bathroom. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, our shower enclosures offer the perfect blend of style and durability.

What is the Flair Showers' Difference when it comes to Brushed Nickel?

Our design team are uncompromising in using the finest materials as they craft our award-winning collections. That means that the finish on our Shower Enclosures outlasts that of our competitors by up to 10 times! We work hard to bring you the very best in style and practicality. Our Shower Doors don't just look great, they're built to last. The finish is beautiful, and tough.

We use two different techniques when applying the Brushed Nickel finish to our enclosures, one for the Profile and another for the Handle.

Shower Enclosure Profile.

All of our ETO Brushed Collection of Shower Enclosures have an anodised finish, which means they are superbly robust and will stand the test of time.

Anodising ensure a high-end premium finish. It is an electrochemical process that converts the metal to a corrosion resistant durable finish. The colour finish is not just applied to the surface like a plating or coating, but it is fully integrated with the underlying material to avoid the risk of peeling or chipping.

Shower Enclosure Handle.

The uniquely crafted ETO Brushed Collection handle has a PVD finish to ensure it lasts a lifetime in the busy environment of a family bathroom.

PVD - PHYSICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION - is a technique that applies colour on an atomic level to a base surface inside a vacuum chamber. This process physically changes the original base material to the desired colour composition, meaning that the surface won’t wear off or degenerate over time.

PVD is one of the most durable colouring technologies being up to 3 times harder and 10 times more scratch resistant than the alternative surface options.

Conclusion

Brushed Nickel is more than just a finish; it's a statement of elegance, versatility, and timeless beauty. Whether you're renovating a bathroom or designing a new space, the ETO Brushed Nickel range from Flair Showers offers the perfect solution to elevate your interior design.

Browse our Collection of Brushed Nickel Showers.