Black iron, gunmetal, rose gold, champagne gold, copper, brushed brass, polished chrome, satin nickel….the list goes on!!!!
There are so many different metals and finishes available that sticking to just one would be crazy, right?
So why does it always sound so taboo when you propose mixing metals to your clients?? I mean come on, just because we went with a polished brass faucet doesn’t mean everything in our bathroom has to be the same finish.
I think I have gotten the question “if everything in my bathroom is gold, shouldn’t we make the door knob and hinges gold too?? But then how does that blend with the satin nickel finishes on the rest of the floor?!” A million times.
The answer is as simple, and as complex, as “no they don’t have to be gold too.”
Mixing metals had long been a fear for many, but lately its become a trend!! Yes! The roles have been reversed, we have finally come to the realization that its not just ok, but it’s gorgeous!!
The industry has been introducing so many more finishes than they ever had before, and the design world is eating. It. Up. Now I get the clients that want to be daring and go with the ever so trendy rose gold faucet and its great! Mixing metals can be a perfect way to bring more interest and depth into your designs. But how do we make it work without winding up with a train wreck?
Well for starters, we have to pick a base.
Like most things, you need to have a starting point.
Pick a dominant metal to be your leading star of your design and then work around that. The metal you choose should be the one you love most and are more comfortable with, then you can begin to layer with a one (maybe two) more accent finishes. But don’t push it.
Let’s go back to my bathroom example; if I chose to use polished brass as my dominant metal to be used for my faucet and shower trims, I can go ahead and mix it up on my sconces to bring in some silver touches and maybe even a hint of black on my vanity accessories.
One of the best tips I could give is to find pieces that are already mixed metals. These pieces are the simplest way to bring balance to a space without trying so hard. My favorite bathroom fixture at the moment comes from Watermark’s Element Collection. The collection makes mixing metals so easy and the end results are breathtaking. You never have to worry about your door knobs and hinges “matching” your bathroom again.
Another way to add dimension to your canvas is by playing with texture. Smooth finishes such as polished brass or chrome bounce well off more rough finishes like brushed nickel or even a hammered metal.
A crucial part to mixing is understanding your present color scheme. If you are working with a warmer palette, its best to use warm toned metals like gold, brass, nickel or copper to bring these colors to life. When using cool hues, stay with cooler metals like chrome and silver.
I know it may sound like metals need a lot of thought, but they really don’t. A home should look like a collection of yourself. So don’t overdo the whole mixing metals thing and just let it flow as if you have been collecting picture frames, vases and lamps over the years and just added them in here and there. As long as there is an apparent base tone and palette throughout the home your golden.
Time for bed,
Tanya
