Most furniture spends its life trying to look new. The Zenith collection from Atkin & Thyme goes the other way. Its iron panels carry an oxidised patina, the kind of rich, clouded surface that metal usually only gets after years of weather and handling. The result is storage furniture that looks collected rather than bought, and that is hard to walk past.
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Where metal meets craft
Zenith is built around one idea used across four pieces. Each has iron door or drawer fronts where the pattern comes from the patina itself, not from carving or inlay. The base tone is a deep gunmetal, lifted by antique-brass details: slim legs, knobs and trims that catch the light against the darker iron.
Every piece is handcrafted, so no two finishes are quite the same. Atkin & Thyme notes that because each product is handcrafted from natural materials, slight variations may occur. With a patina finish that matters. The small differences in tone and texture are the point, and they mean your sideboard won’t look exactly like anyone else’s.
The sideboard: a dining room anchor
The largest piece in the range is the Zenith Sideboard, which the brand positions as the centrepiece of a dining room. Four iron doors open onto generous storage across internal metal shelves, supported by slender but sturdy legs. It’s a practical home for tableware and serving dishes, and the long top works as an extra surface when you’re hosting. It also suits a styled display of lamps, ceramics and books.
At 183cm wide, 76cm high and 43cm deep, it needs a proper wall, but the dark finish keeps it visually grounded rather than bulky.
The drinks cabinet: made for entertaining
If the sideboard is the anchor, the Zenith Drinks Cabinet is the showpiece. Behind its two patinated doors, the cabinet hides internal metal shelves for bottles, racks for hanging wine glasses, and a mirrored back that adds a note of glamour. Open it and the mirror bounces light around the glassware, a nice contrast to the moody exterior. Closed, it reads as a handsome cabinet rather than an obvious bar.
It measures H86.5 x W99 x D47cm and is made from iron and mirror, which makes it a realistic choice for a living room corner or a dining room alcove.
Bringing Zenith into the bedroom
The collection also carries into the bedroom through a chest of drawers and matching bedside drawers. The bedside drawers have two large drawers with brass knobs, with room on top for a lamp. At H46 x W48 x D35cm, they’re compact enough for most bedrooms, and a pair either side of the bed gives a balanced, hotel-like symmetry. The Zenith Chest of Drawers is a three-drawer iron chest with textured fronts and brass handles, completing the look for anyone who wants a coordinated scheme.
How to style it
Zenith sits most naturally in industrial and contemporary interiors, but it’s more versatile than that label suggests. In an industrial space, pair it with exposed brick, concrete-toned walls, leather seating and warm Edison-style lighting, and let the iron feel at home. In a contemporary scheme, set it against warm plaster, chalky whites or deep inky blues, and add softer materials such as bouclé, linen and pale oak so the metal reads as a deliberate contrast.
The antique brass is the thread to pull on. Repeat it in a picture light, a mirror frame or a table lamp and the room will feel pulled together without looking over-matched. Keep styling on top loose and tactile: stoneware, a stack of hardbacks, a trailing plant. Glossy, high-shine accessories can fight against the patina’s matte depth.
Shop the collection at atkinandthyme.co.uk
About Atkin & Thyme
Founded in 2013, Atkin & Thyme is a British interiors brand that works with skilled artisans to create handcrafted furniture in limited batches, combining timeless design with vintage character. The company is based in Baldock, Hertfordshire.
Prices and availability were correct at the time of writing and may change.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means Anne Louise Magazine may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our independent editorial work. Products are chosen by our editorial team, and all opinions are our own. This article was not paid for or reviewed by Atkin & Thyme before publication.
