ReadingsIn use 1920 to 1969
WeightVery heavy
WarmthCold to the touch
CostExpensive
PermanenceLasts centuries
PrecisionMachine-precise
CarbonAmong the highest
Making one kilo releases about 6.2 kg of CO₂: stainless and chrome-nickel steels sit well above carbon steel.
It saysSpeedGlamourReflective spectacle
Best for: Retail interiors, Streamline Moderne restoration, Hospitality accents.
01The building that proves it
Chrysler Building
William Van Alen · New York · 1930
Chrome here: Nirosta chrome-nickel steel on the crown and gargoyles.
About the building ↗02Try it on a board
Pick up to three materials to sit beside chrome. The board shows the styles that use all of them, and writes a prompt you can take to an image or video generator.
03The styles built on it
Also in these styles, in their own words
- Photorealism"Chrome and steel trim: cool greys that read almost blue"
- Bauhaus"Industrial materials celebrated: steel, glass, chrome"
- Graffiti / Street Art"Chrome: silver metallic spray used for highlights and backgrounds"
- Synthwave"Chrome metallic surfaces on type and objects"
- Italo Disco"Chrome silver: #C8C8C8, #D8D8D8, #E0E0E0"
- 80s Editorial"Geometric jewelry: gold, chrome, oversized"
- Y2K"Chrome: high-reflectance, specular, mirror-like metallic"
- Bubbleglam"Chrome silver: #C0C0C0, #E8E8E8 with high specular highlights"
- Chromecore"Chrome silver: #C8CCCE with maximum specular highlight at #F0F4F8"
- Art Deco"Metallic chrome silver alongside gold for contrast"
- Retrofuturism"Chrome silver: #C0C0C0, #A8A8A8: rocket and appliance material"
- Surreal Dreamcore"Pool tile in soft pink and cyan, chrome handrails, wet ceramic"
- Neo 3D"Metallic accents: gold, chrome, iridescent finishes"
- Liquid Retro"Chrome silver: #C0C4C8 with high specular highlights: the primary surface"
- Futurism"Chrome white #EDEDEA and electric yellow #F2C230 as highlights"
- Direct Flash Editorial"Nylon, satin, metallic pleats, chrome and wet tile: surfaces that give the flash something to hit"
- Bead Lettering"Bead chrome #C3C7D0 catching a single specular highlight"
- Chromatic Airbrush"Translucent resin, polished chrome, glossy ceramic, coloured acrylic, powder-coated metal and tinted glass"
- Acid Y2K"Liquid chrome #C8CDD4 as the hero material"
- Hyperpop"Chrome and holographic surfaces: #C0C0C0 to #E8E8E8 with rainbow reflections"
- Motion Design"Chrome, glass and matte rubber rendered in a dark void, lit from one side"
- Space Age Pop"Brushed aluminium, chrome and mirror"
04Questions
Which design styles use chrome?
Streamline Moderne, Googie, Art Deco Architecture, Photorealism and Bauhaus, and 20 more.
What goes well with chrome?
Chrome pairs well with vitrolite, porcelain enamel panel and structural glass.
What does chrome communicate?
Speed, Glamour and Reflective spectacle. It suits retail interiors, streamline moderne restoration and hospitality accents.
What is the carbon footprint of chrome?
Making one kilo of chrome releases about 6.2 kg of CO₂, cradle to gate: stainless and chrome-nickel steels sit well above carbon steel.
05More metal
Structural SteelCor-Ten SteelTitaniumCopperWrought IronAnodized AluminumBronzeZinc CladdingCast Iron
Every materialOpen the materials sampler →
MarbleLimestoneGraniteTravertineBasaltSandstoneSlateStructural SteelCor-Ten SteelTitaniumCopperWrought IronAnodized AluminumChromeBronzeZinc CladdingCast IronPlate GlassGlass BlockLeaded Art GlassStructural GlassETFE MembraneElectrochromic GlazingOakTeakBambooCedarCLTReclaimed TimberBirch PlywoodPineFired BrickTerracotta TileAdobe BrickCeramic MosaicGlazed FaïenceRoman BrickPolychrome BrickRammed EarthHempcreteClay PlasterLiving Roof SubstrateExposed ConcreteBoard-Formed ConcretePolished ConcretePrecast Concrete PanelGlass-Fibre Reinforced ConcreteSprayed ConcreteFibreglass ShellCarbon Fibre CompositeAluminium Composite PanelTensile FabricPerforated Steel ScreenPolycarbonateVitrolitePorcelain Enamel Panel