From larger elements like statement lighting to smaller accents like hardware, metal finishes are present everywhere in the kitchen. While some designers may opt to match the details for a cohesive look, others are choosing to mix it up. Houzz contributor Becky Harris says mixing metals is a good way to add texture, create a historical look, or make a room pop. See her compelling reasons to consider mixing metals below.
1. To Create a Strong Focal Point In this beautiful kitchen by Bronzie Design + Build, a hammered copper vent hood provides a warm, textured and shiny focal point, while the rest of the metallic finishes are supporting players. Two large brushed brass pendant lights frame the hood. The cabinet pulls and knobs are a mix of brass and glass, while the bases of the counter stools are a toned-down brass that supports the metallic scheme without being distracting.
2. To Achieve a Modern Farmhouse Look A good way to accomplish a modern farmhouse look is to mix new and old. When it comes to finishes, this means a combination of shiny and well-worn metals. And throwing in some brushed or satin finishes that land somewhere in between is a pleasing way to fill out the mix. In this kitchen by Anthony Wilder Design/Build, there are two standout finishes: one shiny (the brass knobs on the Lacanche range) and one crusty (the aluminum pendant shades in an antiqued charcoal finish that looks like wrought iron). The antiqued wrought iron look of the counter stools plays off the colors in the pendants. The brushed nickel finishes on the faucet and hardware land somewhere in between shiny and worn.
3. To Establish a Sense of Age Kitchens of long ago were a charming hodgepodge of freestanding pieces, with different metallic finishes on the hardware and faucets. Interior decorator Robyn McQuiston wanted to make her own kitchen feel like an original part of her 1930s Florida home, so her remodel included a mix of metals. The shiny stainless steel appliances and sink clearly reflect a modern-day update, while the galvanized plumbing pipes that support the open shelves, aged brass cabinet hardware and distressed bronze on the mirror frame lend a sense of age.