and why matchy-match-matchedness can be dull!

“But it doesn’t match”

Yep. That’s the whole point. Anyone can matchy-match, right?

But mixing and matching a space to a well-curated perfection is a bit harder. How do you achieve that balance? Here are some tips & tricks of the trade for your next kitchen remodel or interior design project.

Stick with 2-3 metals, but pick 1 to be the star of the show

Sure, can you mix more finishes together successfully? Yes. But it also depends on the space. Kitchens are particularly problematic for most. Nowadays, unless your appliances have cabinet-front panels, they are probably stainless steel, maybe black, or maybe titanium.

Add a [probably] stainless steel sink - what do you do for cabinet hardware and faucet, and lighting, and OMG what about the hood???

In most cases, there is already a slight mix of metals happening. Your double oven probably has black accents, with stainless trim; or maybe your stainless dishwasher has a polished chrome or polished stainless handle. Maybe your hood is stainless with small copper bolts as an accent.

Whatever the situation, this is a great place to start!

Decide which finish you want to be the dominant metal, and use the secondary finish for more accents.

So, for example, if stainless steel is the dominant finish for your refrigerator, dishwasher, and range, you could use the secondary finish elsewhere - like in your island pendants and drawer pulls.

A white and stainless range with brushed bronze accents. The brushed bronze is then reflected in its brushed brass cousin in the faucet and cabinet hardware.

Do the exact opposite of what I just said above :)

Take the dominant finish, and use that in other places. So if your range is primarily black, with stainless accents - you could use black cabinet hardware and a stainless steel faucet.

Select fixtures that do the mixing for you

There are so many great fixtures available that have more than one finish, that take the guesswork out of selecting finishes. From faucets to cabinet hardware to pendants, find a piece you love and go from there!

In this kitchen by See Arch - the stainless counter stools worked with the stainless range. The black accents from the range tied to the black window frame, beams above, countertop canisters, and faucet; and that faucet had brass accents that tied to the brass hardware.

Spread the love

Dispersing the different finishes throughout the space will create balance, while still creating interest

The black hood ties to the black fridge and black stools; the stainless hood trim ties to the refrigerator’s handles; the brass medallion on the hood ties to the brass faucet and brass pendants. Photo courtesy of House & Home. Design by Lloyd Ralphs Design.

“The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone, the knee bone’s connected to the shin bone, the shin bone’s connected to the”… you get the point… sorry for getting that song stuck in your head!

This stunner by Haven Design & Construction has graced magazine covers for obvious reasons…This masterful mix of metals creates interest and drama. Brass pulls on black cabinets, black pulls on white cabinets, brass and black light fixtures, a black island, brass stools…it’s sort of matchy without being matchy.

Use something unexpected

Athena Calderone’s kitchen has filled the Instagram feed of chefs and designers alike. Her Brooklyn kitchen is literally breathtaking. What’s really interesting is that the Calacatta Gold marble [or it could be Calacatta Poanazzo?] is what unifies all the different metals. The gold and grey veining beautifully unites the brass faucet, stainless steel range and black + gold light fixtures. Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Do you have any thoughts on mixing metals? Do you love it, or not so much?

Are you thinking of your next kitchen remodel? Read THIS post on surviving a kitchen remodel, and THIS post on Countertops 101.