Your guide on how to mix metals like a pro in your next renovation project

 The finish you choose for your plumbing, hardware, and lighting isn’t just a detail—it’s a design statement. I recommend having a strategy before embarking on the selection process. Finishes are something we often take for granted in a home until you have to decide on a new element in a decorating or renovation project. It is common to become obsessed and paralyzed all at once. Has this ever been you when trying to determine a fixture finish? We know it will look flat if all the finishes match throughout the home... and yet it feels daunting to start mixing. How to move forward?

So lets talk about how to proceed. I will share my strageties on how I pick metal finishes for a project-

Why Metal Finishes Matter

• Aesthetic Impact:

  • Finishes define the overall look—modern, traditional, industrial, or eclectic. Very cliché to say, but they really are the jewelry of your home.

• Cohesion:

  • Coordinating finishes ensures a harmonious design across fixtures and spaces. Conversely, thoughtfully mixing your metals can also help develop a sense of a storied home with layers that were developed over time.

• Durability:

  • Some finishes are more scratch-resistant or corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for certain applications. Some finishes are referred to as "living finishes," which means that they will change over time.

• High Touch:

  • When you feel like you are at the end of your budget, it's tempting to think, "it's just a doorknob" or "they are just little knobs, so who cares?" But you have to consider that you touch these pieces constantly. Every time you open a cabinet, a closet door, or an appliance, you are having an experience that can be special if you desire. The weight, the color, and the way it feels in your hand... it all matters, so don't forget to properly budget for it from the start.

  
  

HOT TIP - Be sure to see your finish in person. Finishes do not translate over the computer screen. If you are purchasing online, be sure to get a sample or order one pull or knob to see the finish and feel the piece before placing a large order. Alternatively, I suggest going to a local hardware dealer that allows you to see everything in person and make comparisons on shape, size, color, weight, etc. Locally in the Milwaukee area, the most comprehensive hardware dealer is Neu's in Menomonee Falls.

Important considerations at the start

1) Do you appreciate a "living finish" and a little patina, or do you prefer your hardware to look like you just installed it years from now? Think about this first. Once you make that call, you will "filter" out any finishes that don't match your needs and cut the contenders in half. Now, remember a living finish matters the most with elements that are "high touch" like kitchen hardware and door knobs. A light fixture you don't touch won't change as much over time as the pieces you are constantly touching. That being said, the humidity and temperature changes in your home will still create a change over the long haul.

2) Which grouping of finishes do you naturally prefer? "White"? This includes polished nickel, chrome, and all the varieties within these categories. OR do you love brass? This can be unlacquered, brushed, satin, etc. Next, there are the darker options like black, iron, and bronze... Ugh, how do you pick???

Strategy Tip

Start by picking 2 of these 3 categories to play with. There are 3 main buckets - white, black, and brass. It can become a circus if you start selecting items from all three of these main categories. However, it gets flat really quick if you only use finishes in 1 of the categories.

I tend to prefer all plumbing fixtures to be polished nickel. It just makes the most sense to me from a longevity standpoint. In my humble opinion, brass or black/brown finishes on plumbing can run the risk of looking dated. So - start here by choosing a white finish for plumbing. Then - do you gravitate toward the dark bronze and black finishes? Or a warm brass?

Voila

You have your 2 out of 3 selected. You get white plus either brass or bronze. Now that we can filter out another entire category and think more about how and where to use which of our 2 finish categories.

This Classic white kitchen combines white and brass finishes. The mesh cabinet face grille is another opportunity to incorporate a metal finish .

Popular Metal Finishes Explained

• Polished Finishes: (more traditional)

  • Examples: Polished chrome, polished nickel.

  • Characteristics: Shiny, reflective, timeless.

  • Best for: Contemporary or traditional spaces.

• Matte Finishes: (more modern)

  • Examples: Matte black, brushed finishes.

  • Characteristics: Subdued, sophisticated, modern.

  • Best for: Minimalist or industrial designs.

• Warm Finishes: (more traditional)

  • Examples: Brass, bronze, gold.

  • Characteristics: Inviting, vintage, or luxe.

  • Best for: Classic, eclectic, or bold spaces.

• Cool Finishes: (more modern)

  • Examples: Satin nickel, pewter.

  • Characteristics: Neutral, understated.

  • Best for: Transitional or versatile designs.

How to Coordinate Finishes Across Plumbing, Hardware, Lighting, and Doors

• Create a Hierarchy:

  • Choose a dominant finish and complement it with subtle accents. I like to use polished nickel for plumbing fixtures and then layer in brass finishes in similar tones. You could also do a darker bronze color and use polished nickel for your plumbing. For statement lighting fixtures, you can also go rogue and have a varied color.

• Consider Room-Specific Needs:

  • Bathrooms: Moisture-resistant finishes like chrome or brushed nickel.

  • Kitchens: Durable finishes for high-traffic fixtures like faucets.

  • Living Areas: Statement lighting with bold or unique finishes.

  
  

Trend Alert

Unlacquered brass is on trend. It's a living finish that will start very bright and darken over time. When selecting a living finish, you have to consider how much it will get touched if you are relying on the patina to make you like it. Many typical vendors of hardware do not offer unlacquered brass unless you reach for a very expensive line. An alternative is to source your knobs and pulls on Etsy, which offers several sellers that have stunning heavy solid brass hardware at a good price point.

My favorite at the moment is Country Hardware. They have a fabulous selection of traditional hardware options, including plate racks, cafe curtain rods, knobs, pulls, latches, and even rods and hooks. The pieces are VERY substantial. One of my favorites is the knobs with backplates they offer. There are various shapes and sizes.

These oral knobs with a backplate from Country Hardware on Etsy are stunning. They have a timeless appeal and look and feel hand made.

Conclusion

• Pick 2 out of 3 of the major finish color categories to play with in your home.

• Look for hardware that is weighty and has depth to the finish

• Local hardware Galleries are great places to find hardware when you want to be efficient and look and touch. On-line retails and Etsy shops can offer pieces comparable to more expensive traditional lines with a similar look and feel.

www.carrieluckedesigns.com