How To Mix Metals The Right Way
When it comes to choosing metallic finishes, many homeowners shy away from using more than one metal, yet they want that look! Mixing metals can add emphasis to a piece you want to highlight and visual interest. Light fixtures, faucets, handles, hinges, picture frames, table legs, and a million other things all provide opportunities to introduce a metal finish. Here are 4 tips you’ll want to keep in mind while you source finishes and avoid monotony in your home!
Pick Two or Three
No need to go into detail here. Choose two to three finishes. No more!
Contrast
What’s important to note here is that you do not want finishes that are too similar. For example, “satin brass” with “brushed gold” are both warm, gold tones and similar lusters (shininess🌟). This combination looks unintentional, like you tried to match the finishes but some of them are a little off. Instead, mix warm and cool with different levels of luster.
Examples of warm tones are brass, gold, copper, and bronze. The most common cool tones are chrome, pewter, silver, steel and black. Nickel, in most cases (you’ll see why below), is a warm metal but so neutral that it can be too close to chrome or silver, so don’t mix these.
Metals that can live together in happy harmony are:
Satin Gold + Polished Nickel + Flat Black
Polished Copper + Matte Oil-Rubbed Bronze + Satin English Gold
Brushed Brass + Flat Black + Polished Chrome
Gloss Black + Brushed Stainless
Polished Chrome + Satin Antique Gold
The reason why I say nickel is a warm metal in most cases is because you’ll find pieces finished in brushed nickel or satin nickel that look just like brushed or satin chrome or brushed stainless steel. It’s super important to see the finish IRL. With your eyeballs 👀. Despite having the same name of the finish, across different brands these finishes are not always the same. Polished chrome and flat black are very easy to match across different brands. Polished nickel? Eh, sometimes. Now, gold and brass finishes… almost impossible 😓.
Main Finish & Accents
Choose which finish will be your most common and which will be used as accents. Your main finish will be used the most and will also highlight the accent finish(es).
Here’s a fun analogy for you:
You’re at a Broadway show. Cats, Hamilton, The Lion King – doesn’t matter. The stage is your room. On set there is a backdrop that sets the scene. This is your main finish. Let’s say it’s polished chrome. There are dimly lit performers in the back, your secondary finish. They’ll be the flat black finish. Front and center in the spotlight are two main actors, dancing, singing, something dramatic. These are your select fixtures in brushed brass. Thanks to the set, supporting actors, and the stars of the show, you can experience and appreciate the complete show.
Balance
Now that you have selected your metal finishes, it’s time to decide the placement. Imagine all the fixtures, hardware, and accessories are your main finish. Now, choose which areas you want to highlight with your accent finish(es). These secondary metal finishes should be sprinkled throughout the room, at various heights for balance. You wouldn’t want the entire room to have flat black finishes and have every ceiling light in a polished gold finish. The polished gold finish should be used in other areas, as well. Consider using this accent metal on cabinet door hardware, picture frames, a table lamp, and/or other decor.
When I want my client’s beautiful faucets to be the star of the show, I use their metal finish as the accent in the room and the main finish acts as the supporting actors.
Notice the black high and low. The pulls on the island contrast the white cabinet and tie in with the dark wood tone on the edges. At the very top you see black in the lighted pot rack and in the drapery hardware in the adjoining dining room. Peep the dining room chairs!
Tip: Have all your plumbing fixtures the same finish (for balance😉).
Make It Your Own!
Remember these are all good tips to follow but there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating. If your collection makes sense to you and you love it then go for it!
Regan Chappell Interiors 