With the Olympic Games under way in Athens, Greece, we’re reminded that gold has always been the mark of ultimate achievement. Silver is for runners-up, and, of course, no one ever remembers who finishes third.

Not so in home decor. Bronze has claimed its place as the hot metal – from wash basins to window hardware.

If you attended any of the new-home tours this spring, you saw bronze in abundance. Hammered and antiqued, bronze pieces fit in quite nicely with hand-scraped wooden floors and the faux wall finishes so popular among high-end builders.

Moen, Delta, Kohler and almost all the leaders in decorative plumbing products have introduced bronze finishes. Ann Sacks, known for luxury tile and stone products, offers gorgeous bronze lavatories that resemble a piece of art. Square-shaped and crafted by hand, the Embu line is earthy yet modern. For those who want just a touch of bronze, Restoration Hardware has a nice selection of curtain rods, and Pottery Barn’s vintage drawer knobs are reasonably priced.

“Consumers are looking to create a sense of luxury and beauty while maintaining a sense of comfort in the home as there is a growing preference to spend more time at home,” says Kathleen Yates, group product manager for Moen. “Antiques and heirlooms are part of that trend. Homeowners are turning to the rich Old World feel for hardware and accessories to complement these design trends.

In other words, bronze is a clear winner this season. It’s a refreshing change from black, and the metal works well with almost any decor style. So with apologies to all the hard-toiling swimmers, gymnasts and beach volleyball players who seek gold, when it comes to what you’re putting inside your home, there’s a new motto: Be brazen, be bronze.

-Ann Sacks’ Embu lavatory measures 15 inches square by 5 inches high. For pricing and more information, call (800) 278-8453 or visit www.annsacks.com

-Kallista’s Hampstead collection includes these retro-style faucets in antique bronze. For details, call (888) 4-KALLISTA or visit www.kallista.com

-Add some African figurines to your bathroom vanity to reinforce the earthy feeling of bronze. They’re $29.99-$49.99 at Expo Design Center, in North Richland Hills, Texas. Call (817) 581-2400.

-You can tile in bronze as well. Crossville’s Questech line of premium metals, including bronze, add a luxe touch to wherever you would normally add ceramic tile. They’re 20 percent metal and have a protective, clear coat to ensure durability. Available at Expo Design Center, prices vary according to size and style. To see them online, go to www.crossville-ceramics.com.

-Small accent pieces in bronze can make a bold statement. Choose from a herringbone-pattern switch plate ($9.99), Delta’s towel ring ($21.99) or house numbers ($7.49) to add a touch of metal. Available at Expo Design Center.

-Kichler’s Westwood lighting collection includes this sculptural lamp in an old-bronze finish with a natural-fiber shade, $135. Visit www.kichler.com for more details.

-Restoration Hardware’s bronze window hardware features a variety of end caps, $79-$139. Visit www.restorationhardware.com.