Inspired Craftsmanship
Matte Black: A Modern Classic Evolves
A staple in modernist collections like the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Bath Collection, Matte Black is taking on a traditional spin.
Matte Black. A finish that truly contains multitudes. It’s contemporary, yet timeless. Streamlined, yet complex. Understated—and yet, it makes a statement that’s impossible to ignore. In many ways, Matte Black seems the epitome of a modernist aesthetic. Its striking dark tones bring a dramatic edge to minimalist silhouettes, perfectly at home in sleek kitchens and baths.
But this coveted finish has too much depth and complexity to be confined to just one style. Having pioneered a modern take on Matte Black in the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Bath Collection, the Brizo® design team is pushing its boundaries once again—expanding Matte Black into more traditional architectures. Paired with the crafted details of the Rook®, Artesso® and Tulham™ Kitchen Collections, the finish offers an avant-garde take on heritage designs.
Featuring The Artesso® Bridge Faucet with Side Sprayer.
Featuring The Tulham™ Bridge Kitchen Faucet with Side Sprayer.
Of course, Matte Black hasn’t always been a go-to finish. When the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Bath Collection launched in 2012, its signature Matte Black was an unorthodox choice for a faucet.
“ Nobody was really doing Matte Black back then.”
“Nobody was really doing Matte Black back then,” says Wu. “But it caught on.”
“We were on the leading edge of what’s now a movement in design,” says Brizo industrial designer Maris Park. “We’re seeing more and more durables transition to Matte Black finishes—exterior details, windows, appliances. At this point, it’s not a trend. It’s a new staple.”
Designer and builder Orie Prince agrees. “Matte Black has lasting power in the kitchen and bath,” he says. “For the same reason every woman has her ‘perfect black dress.’ You know that it will always look good. It can be dressed up or dressed down.”
Featuring the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Two-Handle Wall Mount Lavatory Faucet. Design: Orie Prince / Photographer: Ty Cole
Featuring the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Single-Handle Freestanding Tub Filler. Design: Orie Prince / Photographer: Ty Cole
The Jason Wu for Brizo™ Bath Collection has proved its adaptability over the years. It’s a natural fit in monochromatic modern spaces, but it’s equally at home in vibrant environments. For example, as Prince worked on a bath space for his celebrity client’s Hollywood Hills bungalow, he was inspired by its green canyon location and sought a finish that would pair well with the surroundings.
“As soon as I saw the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Collection,
it was a fully embodied ‘yes.’”
it was a fully embodied ‘yes.’”
“As soon as I saw the Jason Wu for Brizo™ Collection, it was a fully embodied ‘yes,’” says Prince. “The versatility of the Matte Black is that it can demand attention or humbly be a complementing finish. The gentle sheen, texture, layers and dimensions are showcased in different angles and lighting.”
Featuring the Solna® SmartTouch® Pull-Down Prep Kitchen Faucet. Design: Orie Prince / Photographer: Ty Cole
And the story of Matte Black keeps evolving. Once it was strictly confined to modernist spaces, but Park says the exciting next chapter is applying Matte Black to more traditional architectures: “Eight years ago, we would never have put Matte Black on a traditional faucet. But now, it transcends categories. It works so well in finish-mixing, and we’re seeing more and more designers use it in place of Oil-Rubbed Bronze.”
Featuring The Rook® SmartTouch® Pull-Down Faucet, Beverage Faucet.
Featuring The Tulham™ Kitchen Collection.
