Inspiration

Mixing Metals

I’m a gold jewelry person, through and through. It just looks better with my skin tone I think. But when it comes to hardware and metallic finishes for the home, I like to mix things up and throw in some polished nickel/silvery finishes with my brass pieces. I feel like I have an abundance of…

I’m a gold jewelry person, through and through. It just looks better with my skin tone I think. But when it comes to hardware and metallic finishes for the home, I like to mix things up and throw in some polished nickel/silvery finishes with my brass pieces. I feel like I have an abundance of brass lately and should probably round things out with a few more silvery things.

This lamp has always been a favorite and I’m thinking it might be time to finally try the DIY version – fingers crossed it looks okay!

This basket project from MS Living was gorgeous! SO in love with that finish and want to use these in a nursery project I’m working on. Every room needs some sparkle, but that does mean it has to be a ‘glam’ look, you know? These baskets still feel very boho.

This new desk from West Elm is going into a consulting client’s design plan. I saw some zinc and aluminum-wrapped case goods pieces at ABC a few months back that were about 10x this price. It’s a great look and the West Elm price point is much more affordable.

PS I’m also loving rose gold and I’m coming around to copper. These new copper chairs from Blu Dot are like woah.

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25 thoughts on “Mixing Metals

  1. Please post the results of your DIY silver lamp. Very curious to see if the idea is successful.

  2. How do you feel about chrome? Polished nickel and chrome are my favorite "silvery" metals. They bounce light around like mirrors.

  3. jenny – now i need to know your thoughts on mixing similar metals in a space, like, say, chrome with polished nickel, or better yet, chrome with brushed nickel. does it bother you or no?

  4. After that lamp post a while back, I actually tried it and I didn't like my results. But I tried it on a plastic lighttolier. I think it would have come out better on a metal surface. There is one lamp at land of nod that resembles the ikea one and is a good price. good luck! can't wait to see the end result!

  5. Oh I love all of the metallics. It is fun to see all of the uses in decor!

    Thought you would enjoy…Interview with Leslie of Segreto Finishes

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  6. Jenny, I absolutely adore your diy's, so I always look forward to seeing what you do next! I'm actually just working on adding molding to my sad little hollow-core bathroom door, just like you did for your daughters' bedroom door. I'm already obsessed with it, and I haven't even gotten to the painting part (I think I'm going to go with a dark grey that I have leftover from a kitchen re-paint I just did). Thanks as always for the incredible inspiration (and fabulously detailed step-by-step processes that actually make me think I can do it) that you provide!! Oh yeah, come to think of it, I also used your tufted headboard diy as my bible for creating my own a couple months ago :)

  7. I have a need found love for all thing shiny! I never liked gold or brass elements before as I was in love with shabby chic for so many years, whites white and whites.

    It's been almost a strange experience to see my tastes change over the past year as the shabby chic goes running out the door and I'm faced with all these new choices and decorating dilemmas!

    Can't wait to see your Lamp DIY because that lamp looks phenomenal!

  8. You know I worked in corporate interiors and find your answer to Bethany extremely interesting.

    "Bethany – I don't mind mixing brushed and polished finishes at all! I love the look!"

    In corporate interiors, EVERYTHING has to match. To mix metals would be a huge no-no. It would look like a mistake.

    But this is exactly why I got out of corporate interiors and now am embarking on residential design. Corporate interiors is too rigid. So I totally love the carefree nature of your answer, Jenny.

    Though if i were designing a huge house w/multiple bathrooms I would limit the number of finishes to create a more cohesive look.

  9. I tend to be pretty particular about matching the metals I'm wearing, but I'm getting more laid-back about this with my decor. I love the warmth that is created when gold is combined with certain colors (pink, white) but sometimes you just have to go with silver because it makes a look more cool and modern. I have both sparkly silver and shiny brass scattered around my apartment, but those two metals are never right next to one another. Perhaps I need to try it!

    Also, love those baskets!!

    ~Amberly
    http://www.ambsgoodlife.blogspot.com

  10. love the lamp and have just finished a metallic revamp myself (coffee table). just wondering if asking paint to achieve that look on the shade is one step too far – you can buy metallic paper for lampshades from a specialist supplier and recover the shade. That way the shade will look amazing and you can spray the base.

    Absolutely love and am inspired by your work.

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