Mixing Brass and Other Finishes

Mixing Brass and Other Finishes

I get the question about mixing finishes quite a bit. I think it’s something that can be tricky for some people 0 You want everything to be cohesive, but not too matchy-matchy. Intentional, but not too intentional all at the same time. It's a balance, lol.

Being that brass/gold is one of my favorite finishes, I figured I’d put together a little list of some of the ways I mix it with other things, to create the cozy, lived-in look I’m always going for!

Brass and wood - This combo is the perfect combination of warmth and coziness. The yellow tones in the brass really highlight the warm tones in the wood and they compliment each other so well. I love doing brass details with wood accents. Like a brass faucet with a wooden framed mirror hung above it in a bathroom.

Brass and black - When in doubt, add black! I like to use black pieces when I feel like there could be too much brass too quickly in a space. For example, if you were to do brass sconces, with brass cabinet hardware, and brass pendants in a kitchen, it might be a lot of brass. But swapping out the cabinet hardware for black, still gives a timeless look, while balancing out the brass accents. Plus, it can be really hard to match brass to itself and you might end up with all of these funky shades and finishes. Adding black can help you avoid that!

Brass and polished nickel - This is the same concept as adding black. Break up the brass with polished nickel if that’s more your speed! The cool tone of the nickel balances the warmth of the brass nicely. I love the look of polished nickel and I definitely don’t use it as much as I’d like too - I feel like black just goes better with our home. But one day I will incorporate more polished nickel into a space of ours, just you wait!

Brass and woven - You all know how much I love woven anything! If it’s rattan or wicker, I want it! I think this can be seen in any room of the house. Give me a brass faucet and woven light fixture or basket, and we’re good to go. There’s just something about the organic feel of the woven piece against the contrast of the hard brass that makes them work really well together. And same with the wood, the yellow tones of the brass bring out the warmth of the woven piece, automatically making a space feel cozier.

I hope these ideas help you if you’re thinking about dabbling your toes in mixing finishes! I know it can seem a little scary at first, but in the end you’ll be happy you went for it. Just do it! And if you end up not loving it, there’s always the possibility of painting it or swapping it out. Just don’t be afraid to take a risk and try something new!