top of page
Search
molinaandwarford

Mixing Metals

Updated: Aug 15, 2022

One of the core elements that we choose to drive a design is the metal. Whether that's brushed brass, polished nickel, matte black, etc! The metal can completely change the look and feel of a space! For example, a completely white kitchen with a burnished brass or polished nickel, might translate as a transitional or cottage style. Simply by changing out the metals to a matte black, you now have a modern farmhouse look! That is why switching out hardware and fixtures can be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to give your space a facelift!


So, what happens when you can't decide between brass or black? Or you think having everything brass will be too overwhelming (a very common mistake!). Do you do both? The short answer is YASSS! Mix those metals! Mixing metals is something we do often at Molina + Warford Interior Design. It adds dimension and personality without allowing one finish to overwhelm a space. But it can be a tricky thing to get right without a good understanding of the undertones within each metal and a little bit of color theory. Don't worry, we can help with that!


The Foundation:

Start by selecting the metal you want to be the most prevalent through your home. This will typically be cabinet hardware, door knobs, hinges, etc.


The Accent:

Next you will pick the metal that will "spice it up". This will most likely be your faucet, decorative lighting fixtures, etc. You can add up to two accents before things start getting a little too spicy. We recommend 2-3 metals total to keep the spaces cohesive and intentional.


The most important thing to consider with your accents is that the undertones work well together. For example; nickel has a warm undertone which pairs beautifully with brass, unlike chrome which has a cool undertone. There are also some metals that are considered neutral and can be paired with any undertone such as stainless steel and black finishes.


Warm Metal Examples:

Aged Brass Brushed Nickel Polished Brass Polished Nickel Brushed Brass


Cool Metals: Neutral Metals:






Chrome Black


The Placement:

Once you select your tones, you'll want to determine how you plan on using them. There are a few ways to do this! The key is to remember that the foundational metal should be the most dominant to provide balance with the accents.

  1. By category: For example, all your hardware and door knobs are brass, all your faucets and plumbing fixtures are nickel, and all your lighting fixtures and accessories are black.

  2. By height: This means sectioning off a space in half or into thirds. So your lower 3rd could be black (cabinet hardware/door knobs), the middle could be polished nickel (faucets, mirrors, accessories), and the upper 3rd could be aged brass (lighting fixtures)



Tried + True Mixes

There are so many options that open up when you use these guidelines but here are a few that are tried and true!



Foundation Accent No. 1 Accent No. 2


Black Polished Nickel Brushed Brass


Aged Brass Polished Nickel Black


Polished Nickel Satin Brass Polished Nickel


Black Polished Chrome Black


Brushed Brass Matte Black Brushed Brass




xoxo,


Harmony + Aliyah







26 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page