Polished chrome has enjoyed a long, glossy reign in Australian homes, but the tides are turning. Interiors are softening, surfaces are warming up, and the pristine, almost clinical finishes that once defined modern design are making way for something with more soul. ABI Interiors' latest release, the Antique Collection, directly responds to this shift with a tightly edited range that captures the character of aged metal without sacrificing durability.
Four Distinct Finishes
The collection introduces four finishes: Antique Aurum, Antique Bronze, Antique Slate, and Antique Steel. Each finish leans into texture and depth, offering a tactile, timeworn look that feels considered rather than overly styled. Using a combination of ceramic and vibrational technology, each piece undergoes a three-step method that creates a gently distressed surface. The result is subtle—soft irregularities, nuanced tonal variation, and a finish that appears to have evolved over time.
Durability Meets Design
Function has not been overlooked. The pieces are crafted from 304 and 316 stainless steel, known for strength and longevity, making them suitable for high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Antique Aurum, Antique Bronze, and Antique Slate are enhanced with ABI's HeatShield PVD electro-colouring, designed to resist tarnishing, corrosion, and daily wear. Antique Steel, on the other hand, is left raw and uncoated, embracing an industrial edge while maintaining a consistent appearance that will not patina or shift over time.
Versatility Across Spaces
The appeal lies in versatility. The Antique Collection spans tapware, showers, hardware, mirrors, and accessories, allowing the look to flow seamlessly from one space to another. These finishes can ground a modern coastal home just as effortlessly as they elevate a heritage terrace or a minimalist apartment seeking warmth. According to co-founder Luli Farrell, the move towards textured, imperfect finishes reflects a growing appetite for authenticity. Spaces are no longer about perfection; they are about feeling lived in, layered, and personal.
Expanding the Collection
Last year's Tumbled Aged Brass has also been folded into the wider Antique Collection, offering a contrasting option that evolves over time. Unlike the newer finishes, it develops a natural patina influenced by touch and environment, making each piece unique. Since launching in 2016, ABI Interiors has built a reputation for bridging high-end design and accessibility. With this latest release, the brand pairs innovation with a distinctly artisanal sensibility. In a market saturated with ultra-slick finishes, the Antique Collection offers a welcome change of pace—less about shine and more about substance, less about perfection and more about character. In homes designed to be felt as much as seen, this shift could not be more timely.
