Mixing Metals Like a Maestro: The Art of Blending Finishes
I often get asked how to combine metal finishes in lighting and hardware. The look of matching all your finishes is long gone, even when working with brass. Here are a few guidelines to help you mix metals like a pro.
It’s official – you can buy almost anything for the home in black now. From hardware to lighting to faucets, black is everywhere and here to stay. At least for the next 6-7 years while this trend runs its course. And it’s quickly replacing gold, but gold is one finish I hope becomes a classic. It warms up so many really neutral interiors. When it does stop trending like it did in the 80s, I’m moving it into the timeless category for hardware and lighting. It’s definitely required to warm up all bathrooms that will be installed next with too much black.
In all honesty, this post on how to mix metals is long overdue. Because gone are the days when it was a simple case of matching all your metal finishes. In fact, if you simply choose the builder-grade brushed nickel everything, the look is sure to be disappointingly dull.
As Maria Killam shared, “Brushed nickel looks good in this bathroom below, layered with brass, but the faucets could just as well have been shinier polished nickel.” The key is to repeat each metal finish at least once. In the bathroom example, the mirrors, lights, and knobs are brass, and the shower fixtures and faucets are brushed nickel. Each finish is repeated, which is the not-so-mysterious reason that they work.
Mastering the Metals: Navigating the Finishes
When choosing metal finishes for bathrooms and kitchens, I recommend starting with the faucets. I prefer to stick with classic chrome or polished nickel for faucets in kitchens, especially to relate to stainless steel appliances. Choose the same chrome or polished nickel for bathroom vanity faucets as well, to relate to chrome or polished nickel shower/bath hardware. Stainless or brushed nickel are okay too, but they can be a bit dull in my opinion.
Plumbing is more expensive to change out, typically, so it makes sense to stick with a timeless silver finish. You can then layer in one or two more metal finishes in decorative lighting, cabinet hardware, and mirrors. These decorative elements are easiest to switch out when trends in metal finishes change.
I much prefer the soft and timeless look of chrome faucets to coordinate with stainless steel in kitchens. The matte black faucet trend, however, is not something I see having legs. In my estimation, black faucets are more of a fad because they are high contrast and jarring, making them not that easy to live with. Fads that pass quickly are the ones that demand so much of our attention right away that we get sick of them much faster.
Warming Up with Brass and Bronze
Brass and gold have been going strong for some time now, and many may be fretting about the trend’s longevity. Well, I don’t think brass is going out, and I sincerely hope not. Mixing metal finishes adds so much interest and warmth, and in spaces like bathrooms where opportunities for creating interest are somewhat limited, it’s important to consider your metal finish combinations with care.
In this bathroom, for example, all silver metal finishes would have been a bit flat. But black finishes would be too harsh for the delicate look of the wallpaper. Brass metal finishes add the perfect touch of warmth. And with olive and muted forest greens trending along with cognac, mustard, and terracotta, the warmth of brass is the perfect metal accent at the moment.
Bronze metal finishes have always been around. Bronze hardware and lighting bring in a just the right note of rustic charm. It reads almost black but softer. As long as people are drawn to hints of nostalgia in their interiors, bronze will stick around. The trick is to make sure you choose bronze fixtures that are current in shape and style. I prefer to use bronze for hardware and lighting, but definitely not in faucets.
Striking the Right Balance: Mixing Metals with Care
Remember, there are a million ways to mix metals, but if you don’t designate materials and finishes all day long, giving you the experience to break all the rules like a pro, here are the best guidelines to follow:
- Start with the faucets: Stick with classic chrome or polished nickel for a timeless look.
- Layer in one or two more metal finishes: Use decorative lighting, cabinet hardware, and mirrors to add visual interest.
- Repeat each metal finish at least once: This is the key to making mixed metals work seamlessly.
- Consider the style of the fixtures: Ensure the overall look and feel of the finishes complement each other.
Mixing metals can be tricky, but with a little bit of thought and care, you can create a beautiful, cohesive space that reflects your personal style. And who knows, maybe brass will make a comeback and become a timeless classic once again!
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