CMF Trend: Colour Passivation

Passivation – a process for metal corrosion resistance, and to reduce friction for better running surfaces. As a side-effect, it can lead to some interesting colouration. Typically an industrial technique, with little aesthetic application beyond zippo lighters and fountain pens, but are we seeing an emergence into the design scene?

Over the last two years we have seen a dramatic rise in the use of ‘coloured’ metal finishes such a copper, bronze and brass. Moving away from cold greys and silvers, the interior world has embraced the warmth provided by these metals, and used them to inject a sense of ‘affordable’ luxury that can’t be achieved with golds – which are far too ostentatious in this era of austerity! In Milan this year, we started to see this rainbow finish emerge in the form of Tom Dixon’s Stamp collection. In the image above, the screen combines a simple silhouette with the technicolour finish. Does this indicate a move towards more playful metallics, much like the fashion industry? (Check out Burberry’s coloured foil raincoats, below!)

Featured image credit: PDD, above image credit: Burberry

Image credit: Bona-Lemercier architects