Ah, mixed metals. It’s a design technique that can infuse depth, sophistication, and a personal touch into any space. However, achieving that perfect, balanced look is not as easy as it looks—nor as comfortable when it’s your home that requires these decisions.
Most people know that metals should be mixed, but when it comes to your own interiors, uncertainty can set in quickly, even if you’re working with a design firm like ours.
Feeling Shy about Mixing Metals?
For example, more than a few clients have questioned how using a mixture of metals will look, especially in the kitchen when considering stainless steel appliances and sinks, or when there is decorative lighting that has a finish different from other finishes in the room. Absolutely fair questions!
Or, some of our clients have shared their negative association with a particular finish. One client hated brass because it reminded him of his grandmother’s dated home — think 1980s shiny brass and glass coffee tables, and the once-popular bathroom vanity strip light with exposed bulbs. (You won’t find that here.)
In both types of situations, we enjoy guiding our clients to overcoming their reservations or aversions. Because on the other side of them? A true oasis awaits…
1. Mixed Metals Create Irresistible Warmth
Remember what I said about clients wondering whether stainless steel appliances would mix well with other metals? Our Steamboat Springs kitchen is the perfect illustration:
The stainless steel accents in the space — though worth a mention — aren’t the first place your eyes are drawn to. Instead, gold-flecked antiqued brass pendants steal the attention, and the overall ambiance is one of inviting warmth, thanks to additional brass hardware distributed evenly across the space.
The cool-toned stainless steel appliances, with blackened steel vent hood with stainless hammered details, are stunning in their own right, but they blend with the overall look in a harmonious way. The result? A warm yet balanced aesthetic that’s packed with personality.
2. Matte vs. Shine: Luster Matters
If the idea of metals in your home sparks mental images of overly shiny hardware (like our brass-averse client), please allow me to assuage your fears. Metals come in a variety of lusters (shininess) and temperatures. They do not need to be high shine or overly noticeable unless we intend them to be so.
For example, some of our clients love the elegance of metals that evoke sparkling champagne or sleek platinum — and a higher shine does help create this impression. However, many of our clients also appreciate a contemporary, urban aesthetic, one that feels less elegant and more handsome. We achieve this through more lower luster and matte pairings.
For example, our Steamboat Springs Project juxtaposes brass faucets in a soft, satin finish with the clean and minimal matte black mirror frames. Contemporary blackened steel — seen in the sconces and hardware on the dark vanity — inject a sleek, handsome vibe. Proof that mixing metals can be quietly luxurious.
3. Mixed Metals in Places You’d Never Think to Look
Some of the most impactful places to mix metals lie in the smaller, often overlooked details. Think metal caps on furniture legs, art frames, and hardware for drapery, to name a few. These subtle accents serve as the “jewelry” of a space—elevating the design with texture, depth, and a touch of personality but never overpowering it.
Our Tribeca Project is the perfect example of mixed metals found in delightful places. Matte black drapery hardware and a blackened steel chandelier help raise the eye upward, making the room feel taller. We paired these with shiny brass accents that feel like little surprises—the detailing on the lamps, the chic side table, and the footing of the coffee table.
In the adjacent dining area, we continued the aesthetic with a mirror framed in brass, sideboard decor with brass-detailed feet, and mirrored lamps with subtle brass touches. An antiqued bronze chandelier hangs above the dining table, while hammered nailhead trim around the dining chairs adds extra character. Even the oversized art features a thin, platinum metallic frame.
Every detail has its purpose, creating a dynamic balance and a deliciously sophisticated living space.
The Final Word from Your Interior Designer
When it comes to mixing metals, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, no secret formula, and no rules… and if there were, we would probably break them. It’s all about how the metals read together in the room — in temperature, scale, shape, style, and more. It takes a skilled eye to do it well.
If you are renovating, building, or redesigning your home, having a designer you adore and trust leading your project will make all of these thousands of tiny decisions effortless. We sort through all the possible permutations based on your preferences and lifestyle, presenting you with only the very best. And then, of course, we treat you to a first-class service bringing it to life.
When you’re ready, you know where to find us.
