How to: Select Metal Finishes
At Common Purpose, we believe in making finish and fixture selections that will stand the test of time. Our goal in creating interiors is to have the designs speak to and be a reflection of our clients. We don’t make decisions based on what’s trending, but on how they will live and wear over time. Essentially, we don’t want our interiors to have an expiration date on them.
We know that updating interiors can be a costly endeavour and that it can be tough to know where to splurge and where to save. This guide, along with subsequent “Avoiding Costly Mistakes” guides, features some of our go-to rules for designing interiors. Use them when you are updating a room in your home and sleep well knowing you’ve made the right choice.
Image courtesy of Waterworks
How do you Use Metals in Design?
When we talk about metals in interiors, we’re often referring to things like plumbing fixtures, cabinet and door hardware, and lighting (among others). There is some room to save here in certain categories, but overall, metals are one of the materials that we think are worthy of a splurge.
Hardware and faucets are functional pieces made decorative, which means that you are physically interacting with them on a regular basis. Think about how many times a day you interact with the hardware on your kitchen cabinets… I counted, and I touched my kitchen hardware 23 times today (and the faucet 12). That is a lot of daily interaction with something, so it makes sense to invest in a material that will age nicely, feel good in-hand, and is impervious to trends.
What’s Trending
Matte black hardware came onto the scene with the rise of modern farmhouse style, and there have been no signs of slowing. Affordable and in a variety of shapes, it’s an easy trend to jump on. While we don’t think this is here forever, it isn’t an “absolutely not” for us, either. That said, we can improve on the basic idea for a more timeless and luxe look.
Gold hardware, last popularized in the 80s, returned in BIG way over the past few years. Do we think this is here to stay? No. Is there a way to do it well so that it feels classic (rather than trendy), and will stand the test of time? Absolutely.
Chrome is here and it’s here to stay. Not necessarily a trend but a tried-and-true, we still think this finish could handle an upgrade. It rusts easily and is the most inexpensive option available, which is fine when done well! But it’s not always done well.
Trend-Resistant Metals
Metals Cheat Sheet
If you like Matte Black, choose Oil-Rubbed Bronze instead. Warmer than matte black, oil-rubbed bronze has a gold undertone and, as a living finish, will give a more “lived in” look. The more you interact with this finish, the more the warmth will shine through. This look achieves the contrasty look of matte black while promising to be a forever fixture in your home.
If you like Gold, choose solid Brass instead. Faux gold finishes have been done to death and, with some more yellow or orange than others, some shiny and some dull, it can be hard to create a cohesive look. Brass has a softer feel is available in many forms - sometimes sealed to maintain its lustre, sometimes brushed to soften it further, and sometimes left untreated to oxidize and patina over time. This is a luxe finish that will never go out of style.
If you like Chrome, choose Polished Nickel instead. This will create a subtly elevated look that is suitable for your every day. With warm undertones and rust-resistant properties, this selection will never go out of fashion.
Watch the slideshow to see the subtle differences between the aforementioned materials. These subtleties are a part of what drives good design and will leave you loving your space.
Metals to Avoid
While there is a time and place for everything, we typically avoid the following metals:
Brushed Silvers This means stainless steel, brushed chrome, and brushed nickel. We know why people love them (no fingerprints means easy maintenance), but the tend to feel a bit “builders basic”.
Copper This can be done well, but it’s not going to work in 95% of homes. If you’re interested in using copper in your space but aren’t sure how to do it, we’d recommend consulting with a designer to make sure that you’re not investing in a pricey finish without proper guidance.
Rose Gold The epitome of a trend, rose gold came and went pretty quickly… but we’re still seeing the finish available with some brands. Unless you truly adore the finish, we suggest passing on rose gold and opting for brass or nickel instead.
What Not to Do…
There is mix-and-match, and then there is mismatched. These rose gold pulls, brushed gold decor, and brushed nickel faucet bring many of our “metals to avoid” finishes together to create a incongruous design.
Mixing Metals
Mixing metals can be done well, but people tend to shy away from it because it is challenging to decide on one finish, let alone two.
Our recommendation is to mix metals that are different enough in colour that it doesn’t feel like a failed match. For instance, don’t mix chrome with nickel or gold with copper - this will be a subtle difference that won’t feel right. Instead, try mixing your silver tones with blacks or golds.
A good rule of thumb, whether mixing metals or not, is to stick with the same brand for your other, nearby metal selections so that you can be sure the finishes will all match. It won’t always be possible, but when it is, it will help you maintain cohesion throughout your space.
Design Tip!
If you want to mix metals, try starting with a piece of hardware that does it for you. The range in our Springbank House project (pictured) features brass and stainless steel together and sets the stage for more of each material elsewhere in the room.
Two-tone metals are featured on the range in our Springbank House project.
Until Next Time…
We’ll be continuing the “Avoiding Costly Mistakes” theme over the next few months, focusing on Woods, Textiles, Stone and Tile. Remember, these are all guidelines and should be taken with a grain of salt.
If you have any questions about metals (where to buy, what to buy, how to mix, etc.), our 1-hour Virtual Consultation might be just the thing - it is our most affordable service and grants you the opportunity to gain professional advice without being tied to ongoing design fees.
Laura