Inside Schumacher x Modern Matter
The Schumacher x Modern Matter collection introduces our antique nickel finish, a hand-rubbed patina on solid brass created for the collaboration. It brings the soft, worn look of old silver to cabinets and windows, maturing naturally on cabinet hardware through daily use.
- Antique nickel is a hand-rubbed patina finish on solid brass, made for our collaboration with Schumacher.
- On cabinet hardware, it is unlacquered and continues to develop patina. On drapery hardware, it is lacquered to hold its color.
- Every piece is hand-finished, so no two look exactly alike.
What It Is
Antique nickel is a soft silver-gray aged brass with a muted patina and subtle warmth.
The finish starts with an oxidized base. A darker layer sits on top and settles into each piece's recesses. Raised surfaces are hand-rubbed to a muted, satin glow, while the recesses hold a deeper charcoal gray. Leaves, beads, and curves retain that shadow.
“Those crevices and those curves will really pick up the dark and give a lot of cool dimension on the product," says Katherine Litton, Chief Creative Officer at Modern Matter.
The result is far less reflective than polished nickel. It avoids both a bright, chrome-like polish and a flat, uniform black. Antique nickel hardware looks aged from day one.
Our artisans apply every finish in our line individually, allowing the hand-rubbed patina to give each piece distinct character.
Each of our antique nickel pieces has its own character:
“Every finish is applied by hand, giving each piece its own distinct character. In Antique Nickel, that artisanal process creates subtle variations in tone and texture, making every piece beautifully unique.”
What inspired it
The collection began with William Spratling, the American silversmith and designer whose work Schumacher’s creative team brought to our first brainstorm. Spratling trained as an architect and first visited Taxco, Mexico, in 1926. He went on to create the town’s modern silver tradition.
His silver often had a dull finish that brought out each piece's sculptural quality and eliminated reflections that could distort the form. Antique nickel grew from that idea: a finish designed to capture the soft, oxidized look of his silver.
His influence appears across several design elements:
- Strong, sculptural profiles
- Beaded and dimensional forms
- Botanical shapes
- Decorative detail used with purpose
The Bennett Chain Pull, the Paloma Knob, and the Deeda End Cap all take their cue directly from his silverwork.
How It Ages
Antique nickel comes in two versions, and the difference is in their coating. Cabinet hardware is unlacquered and keeps changing and developing a beautiful patina. Drapery hardware is lacquered and holds its look.
Our antique nickel cabinet pulls and knobs remain unsealed, allowing the underlying brass to age naturally. The patina develops through exposure to air, moisture, and touch, and it continues to develop over time.
Antique nickel works like a living finish such as unlacquered brass, with a silver-gray tone instead of gold. Burnished brass and unlacquered brass are the other two living finishes in the Schumacher collection.
On our drapery hardware, antique nickel is sealed under a clear coating that preserves its original color and aged appearance. You get the same soft, worn look, held in place.
The Schumacher collection marks our first foray into drapery hardware. Antique nickel runs through the brass rods, finials, and end caps, alongside lacquered burnished brass and polished brass.
How to Care for
Both versions start with the same routine:
- Dust regularly with a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth.
- When needed, wipe gently with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
- Dry thoroughly.
However, for unlacquered hardware, you do not want to use soap. On lacquered hardware, you can use mild soap.
Keep brass cleaner, metal polish, abrasive materials, and harsh chemicals away from both versions. Skip scouring pads on the lacquered version, too. Any of these may damage the finish or the lacquered surface.
One note for those who mix finishes in a room: unlacquered brass can take a cleaner made for unlacquered brass, but antique nickel cannot. Care instructions differ for each finish, so check before you clean a mixed set.
Where to Use It
Antique nickel complements classic rooms seamlessly thanks to its rich, aged patina. Its warm silver tone reads more modern than golden brass, so it works just as well in a new room.
Finials and end caps pair with brass or wood rods, so the pieces mix freely:
"What I love about this finish is that it can be used in spaces with antiques that have a lot of history, because it has this rich patina that looks worn and aged. One of the beauties of this collection is that you can mix and match different elements to create the look that you want."
The collection’s sculptural details bring out the depth of the antique nickel finish:
- Juliette: a sculpted leaf motif on the backplate, finger pull, and pull, with subtle variations from piece to piece.
- Charlotte: layered brass petals that unfold around the finial's sphere
- Deeda and Vera: end caps with beaded detailing, from expressive to understated
- Bennett: an interlocking chain form with a hammered surface
This collection suits diverse aesthetics, ranging from soft, floral bedrooms to clean, tonal spaces. Explore all options before deciding.
Antique nickel gives solid brass the soft, aged look of old silver, finished by hand, so no two pieces are exactly alike. Select unlacquered cabinet hardware for an evolving patina, or choose lacquered drapery hardware for lasting consistency.
"It was an honor for us to get to work with Schumacher and interpret their ideas and vision.”
“We believe hardware should be part of the design conversation from the very beginning. It has the power to shape the character of a kitchen and should be considered alongside every other defining detail.”
Ours is a soft silver-gray aged brass with a muted patina and subtle warmth. Darker tones settle into the recesses and curves of each piece, which gives it depth.
On our cabinet hardware, yes. It is unlacquered and continues to develop a natural patina. On our drapery hardware, it is lacquered, which preserves its original color and aged appearance.
No. Brass cleaner and metal polish may damage the finish on both versions. Instead, dust with a soft cloth and wipe with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Use mild soap only on the lacquered drapery hardware.
