The Art of Crafting Perfect Home Hardware: The Brass Bee Story

Husband and wife team, Jamie and Victoria Reid, look back at how a single bee door knocker inspired a family-run brand that is now celebrated worldwide for its creative home hardware and the kind of cohesive design ranges that people build their homes around.

When we think about how Brass Bee began, we often go back to those evenings in 2019 when our home doubled as a warehouse. Jamie was still working as an IT technician in the Royal Air Force. I was balancing family life with the early workings of a new idea, and our first-ever product, the original brass bee door knocker, was beginning to arrive on doorsteps across the UK.

What started as a simple design that symbolised Jamie’s Manchester roots soon became something far bigger. Customers weren’t just buying a door knocker. They were building design stories around that first bee. Every order, every Instagram post, every message telling us, “This makes my home feel more me,” motivated us to keep going. Before long, this little side project turned into the foundation of what Brass Bee has now become: a place where creative home hardware is made with purpose, warmth, and a genuine love for good design.

Our Family Roots

We launched Brass Bee the way so many family businesses do: by solving our own problem. We wanted hardware that felt personal, something with character, something that brought personality into the small parts of the home that people often overlook. And when we couldn’t find pieces that felt right, we made our own.

The first bee knocker quickly won people over. The meaning behind it, the weight of it, the feel in the hand… It really struck a chord. Orders picked up speed, and soon we were spending nights sorting stock, wrapping parcels, and handwriting notes.

The growth surprised us at first. But it also pushed us to widen our offering and think about how we could carry that same level of design detail into other areas of the home.

You can read more about our story here.

From Two Finishes to a World of Choice

In the very early days, we stocked only brass and nickel. They were classic, dependable finishes that suited most homes. But as more people began sharing their interiors online, tagging us, sending pictures, and showing how they were styling their spaces, one thing became clear: different homes needed different finishes.

That idea led us into months of research, testing samples, refining textures, adjusting tones, and making sure each finish had its own personality while still belonging to the wider Brass Bee family. Today, we offer options that suit every style of home, including:

• Antique brass

• Antique copper

• Bronze

• Pewter

• Chrome

• Black finishes

• Satin looks

• Rose gold tones

• Among other finishes…

Each one has its own feel and adds something distinct to a room. And because people now think carefully about how each hardware choice plays into the bigger picture, these finishes help them create cohesion from front door to back door.

Growing Our Collections

Once the original bee took flight, we looked at how we could introduce new designs that kept that sense of charm. Our customers helped shape that direction more than they realise. They’d send messages asking for something with a coastal feel, or something playful, or something classic, but still unmistakably Brass Bee.

That’s how we added:

• Shells

• Hares

• Hearts

• Paws

• Dragonflies

• Ring bees

• Honeycomb bees

• And many more…

Each design went through the same process as the first: hand-drawn concepts, prototypes, tests, revisions, and the final decision based on how it would look, feel, and function in real homes.

Where Creative Home Hardware Meets Real Home Design

As the brand grew, more customers began asking for help with matching hardware across multiple rooms. They didn’t want one lovely standalone piece. They wanted harmony. They wanted their front door to speak the same language as their kitchen cupboard handles. They wanted switches, sockets, and lighting that didn’t feel like afterthoughts.

That’s when our focus shifted towards building complete hardware ranges, especially in the areas that people often struggle with. That’s right: like switches, sockets, and lighting.

These are the details that shape the mood of a room. Even though they’re small, they’re often the hardest items to get right. That’s why we spent time refining our dimensions, perfecting our designs, and creating finished options that tie in with the rest of the home.

Customers tell us that this is the moment everything finally comes together. When the hallway light switch matches the door pulls. When the socket in the kitchen blends with the warm brass knocker outside. When the lighting complements the hardware rather than fighting it.

This is what creative home hardware is all about: not just buying individual pieces, but creating flow and cohesion.

You can see our full Switches and Sockets range here. 

How We Turn Everyday Items Into Design Statements 

We’ve always believed that hardware deserves more attention. These are the items you touch every single day. The switch you press as you walk into a room, the socket you use to make your morning coffee, the pendant light you look at while relaxing in the evening. We want these pieces to feel special. Not loud, not over the top. Just thoughtfully made, with a presence that quietly lifts a room.

Our team puts care into every choice we make, from the weight of a pull handle to the finish on a light plate. And because we manufacture hardware rather than simply retailing it, we’re involved in each step.

The aim is simple: hardware that feels like it belongs. Hardware that helps your home feel whole.

FAQs

Do your switches and sockets work with both modern and period homes?

Yes. Our ranges include finishes and styles that suit cottages, townhouses, new builds, period homes, and everything in between.

Can I match my switches and sockets with door hardware?

Absolutely. Nearly all our finishes run across multiple product categories to make cohesive styling as simple as possible.

Do your lighting products work with different interior schemes?

Yes. Our lighting ranges are designed to sit comfortably in both contemporary and classic settings, depending on how they’re styled.

Is everything designed by your team?

Yes. All designs originate with us, then go through sampling, testing, and final approval before being added to the collection.

Final Thoughts

Brass Bee began with one small idea and one simple design. What keeps us going today is the same thing that inspired us in 2019: the belief that small details matter. Hardware should feel personal. It should hold character. And above all, it should help people feel proud of the homes they’re creating.

If you’re planning a project or simply refreshing a room, we’d love to help you build a space that feels unified and full of personality.

Explore our full hardware collection here and find the perfect way to use our hardware to shape beautiful home spaces. Because that’s why we started the Brass Bee story to begin with!