If you lived in a comfortable home in 17th-century France or 19th-century England, your chairs might well have been embellished with nailhead trim. It was a clever, decorative way for craftsmen to secure materials to upholstered furniture.

Another old fastener, the rivet, also was commonplace in manufacturing and shipbuilding centuries ago.

Now, nailheads and rivets are having a moment in contemporary decor. On some pieces, they reinforce traditional elegance. On others, they offer an urban, edgier aesthetic.

“We’re seeing nailhead trim - this 400-year-old detail - in lots of new applications, creating bold looks,” says Seattle interior designer Timothy De Clue.

Lisa Ferguson, an interior designer in Toronto, trimmed a pair of armless coral-colored chairs with a decorative, antique-brass nailhead design along the skirt. She says brass and warm satin detailing evoke classic glamour.

“It almost always gives the perception of a more luxurious piece, while adding texture,” Ferguson says.

But be mindful of inexpensive trims if you want a deluxe look, she adds.

“Attention to detail and craftsmanship is what differentiates the good from the best. Pay special attention to the scale and spacing of the nailheads in relation to the piece of furniture, and always go for metal individual heads over rows of plastic if it is in your budget,” she says.

Designer Jonathan Adler is also a fan of the nail. His Channing screen, named after Bette Davis’ character in the film All About Eve, is a white lacquered room divider studded with polished-nickel nailheads.

“Nailheads hit just the right note for today. They’re the perfect combo of twinkly glamour and edgy attitude,” Adler says.

Nailhead trim works well with textured materials; Jayson Home’s Bretton shelf unit is covered in burlap and trimmed in brass nails.

Arhaus has a series of interesting chairs that combine recycled-leather seats with backs upholstered in woven fabric; the materials meet at a nailhead border.

The Portsmouth chair and settee incorporate the deconstructed trend in furniture with a more refined, finished look. Exposed framing along the backs and woven, grainsack-textured upholstery are accented with nail trim. The Alpine Estates ottoman is part of a collection of pieces that put a contemporary spin on Western style with cowhide, nailhead and wood trim. Or evoke the early days of ship travel with the Colburn steamer trunk, crafted of chestnut leather and set with antique brass nailheads.

HomeStyle, Pages 41 on 10/05/2013