Source: Amber Inteiors // Photography: Tessa Neustadt
A:
The short answer: Yes, you can!
To add additional dimension you can mix metal finishes between your faucet, hardware, light fixture, shower handles, etc. A lot of designers play around with finishes in bathrooms and kitchens and in my opinion, it’s just another layer to your design.
Here are a few of my tips when mixing multiple metal finishes within one space –
1 // Use no more than 3 metals.
It can start to feel busy when you incorporate more than 3 finishes within one space…especially if it’s a small room like a bathroom. I prefer to mix 2 (sometimes 3) metals. To create a cohesive look, pick one to be your dominant finish (which is seen the most throughout the entire space) and the others will be your accent.
2 // Put a little distance between the metals.
If you’re struggling with blending two finishes, distance may solve that problem. Space serves as a buffer to the eye and it creates a smooth transition. So for example, you could mix the finishes between your faucet and the cabinet hardware since there’s space and additional materials between the two finishes creating a visual buffer.
3 // Pair complimentary finishes.
Each metal has either a warm or cool undertone and some designers like to mix the two together. Although I have seen many warm and cool combinations that I like, generally speaking I prefer to pair complimentary finishes with similar undertones.…just like you would when mixing multiple wood tones. Finishes with a warm undertone lean yellow/gold including brass, gold, and nickel while cool finishes lean silver such as chrome and stainless steel. Black fixtures are neutral and can pair with most anything! Additionally, avoid pairing finishes that are too close in color such as copper + brass.
Is your brain spinning? Here are a few complimentary finishes I like:
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Bronze + Brass
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Brass + Stainless Steel
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Pewter + Brass
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Chrome + Black
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Brass + Black
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Nickel + Black
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Nickel + Brass
Notice how Jean Stoffer paired 3 finishes in this bathroom and it blends effortlessly!? Bravo Jean!
Source: Jean Stoffer
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Can you have an exposed shower systerm in brass or oil rubbed bronze with a sink in the bathroom with chrome fixtures? I have a brand new bathroom sink with chrome fixtures . Or which two finishes might be able to work or should I just stick with all chrome?
You definitely can, especially if the shower and sink are distanced. However, I split a room horizontally into three sections – the lower half, middle, and upper half. Generally I prefer to use the same finish for all fixtures that fall into the same section, and choose a second or third finish for the other two sections. (e.g. Bronze sconces, polished bass faucet, bronze or black cabinet knobs). I hope this helps!
My husband I are building a house. Six months ago I found this gold farmhouse sink and ordered it, then I bought this gold and black faucet, I found a Zline 48” range and hood with these satin gold knobs and bar across the vent and put it all in a rented storage warehouse while my builder built. With all of the supply chain issues, I bought my black stainless appliances, found this black and gold leather finish granite and internet shopped for lighting, tile, cabinet pulls etc. Had an awesome time BTW!!! You probably already know what my problem is…. My sink is this champagne gold, my faucet is slightly different but ok. My cabinet pulls are black with a satin brass accent on each end, the granite is this black & bronze gold, the accent tile has a gold grout with a bronze metal accent little tile , hmmmm?? and then the stove! Beautiful stove but wHat appeared to be this muted satin gold is really polished brass. My kitchen has a 16’ back wall with cabinets and the range and hood as the centerpiece then a 10’ island with the sink and champagne gold faucet right in the middle and directly across. I reached out to manufacturer to try and get the champagne knobs that are offered but no luck. Looked at buying replacement knobs but the the bar across the hood would not match. Have you ever painted knobs? Am I wrong in thinking this is going to look awful? What can I do?
I’m considering chrome for bath and kitchen fixture. Then brass for lights, hardware and door knobs. Would dark bronze curtain rods be too many metals?
My personal preference is to mix two metals with a black if I go for three finishes, but I think you can get away with that especially if there’s distance between the metals. Just pick one to be your dominant finish throughout all the rooms and use the others as an accent.
Help! Upgrading powder room – the lighting fixture is polished nickel. Would brushed or satin nickel work? Polished nickel faucets concern me for water spots/maintenance.
I’d recommend pairing either brass, bronze, or black with polished nickel.
I’m in the middle of redoing my kitchen. When I’m ready to pick my metal finishes for knobs/pulls, do I need to consider the stainless steel of my cooktop as one of the metals?I already bought a matte black faucet. Should I repeat the black in my knobs & pulls? Or do I have to repeat the stainless? Or can I use brass?
Hi Mary! Yes, I would count your stainless steel appliances as one of the metals. As for the hardware, it’s up to you whether you match it to your faucet or add a third metal. Just pick a third metal that coordinates with stainless steel. Hope that helps! 🙂