Hello, lovelies! I’m thrilled to share another round of five favorites with you today, alongside my talented friends Kris of Driven By Decor, Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles, and Pam of Simple Details! These three always bring such inspiring, creative ideas for the home, and today’s topic is no exception—you’re in for a treat. This month, we’re also joined by the incredibly gifted Claire Brody of Claire Brody Designs as our guest host. Claire has a remarkable eye for design, blending eclectic styles with ease to create spaces that are both fun and sophisticated.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Claire’s simple formula for styling a bar cart—it’s a great example of her unique style. While you’re there, don’t miss the stunning living room she redesigned for her parents during the One Room Challenge. We’re so excited to have you with us, Claire!
Today, we’re diving into the art of mixing metals. Incorporating a variety of metals into your home is a fantastic way to add depth, texture, and a touch of sparkle to your spaces. Here are five of my favorite ways to use mixed metals in our home, with tips and tricks you can use in your own spaces.
1. Breaking Up Monotony with Mixed Metals
In our master bedroom, I’ve incorporated several gold elements, including sconces, curtain rods, and a gold stool for the vanity table. To keep the space from feeling too matchy-matchy, I created a custom piece of art with a silver border and placed it above our bed. The silver edge adds a subtle contrast that softens the overall look while tying everything together. This small touch shows how even a single piece can make a significant impact when mixing metals.
2. Adding Warmth with Copper
Copper is one of my favorite metals for adding warmth and character to a space. In our foyer, I used a copper pot as an accent piece, which pairs beautifully with the neutral palette of the room. The copper’s warmth complements the silver door hardware and black accents, creating a balanced and inviting entryway.
In our family room, I took a more playful approach by using a jar of pennies as a bookend on our family room built-in shelves. This quirky yet functional touch adds shimmer and warmth, blending seamlessly with the golden-edged pages of the albums on display.
For a subtle way to bring copper into your home, don’t forget about Moscow Mule mugs—they’re both stylish and practical!
3. Elevating Style with a Bar Cart
A bar cart is an ideal spot to experiment with mixed metals. I transformed an old changing table into a chic bar cart, which has been so much fun to style. To create depth and dimension, I paired a leaning gold mirror with a shiny silver ice bucket. Metallic barware and mercury glass shelves (a simple DIY project!) complete the look, giving the space a touch of glam without feeling overdone. Mixing metals in this way is an easy and eye-catching way to elevate any room.
4. Incorporating Heirlooms for Shine and Sentiment
Silver or pewter baby cups are one of my go-to accessories for adding charm and shine to a room. These little treasures are not only sentimental but also incredibly versatile. Whether displayed on a shelf or used as a vase for small flowers, they provide a subtle metallic accent that complements other finishes. Their classic look pairs beautifully with black elements or any other metal tones you might have in your space.
5. Balancing Dark Tones with Mixed Metals
I often use black or oil-rubbed bronze hardware in our home, particularly for window treatments. These darker tones provide a striking contrast that works well with a variety of metallic finishes. For example, in our dining and living rooms, I recently upgraded to new curtains, which I hung using dark cabinet pulls instead of traditional rods. This creative solution accommodates our uniquely shaped bay windows while offering a clean, polished look.
The dark window hardware and our wrought iron light fixture blend effortlessly with silver accents, creating a versatile backdrop. This neutral base allows me to change up the decor on our dining table with different color schemes and metallics, making it perfect for seasonal updates—like our Thanksgiving table setup, which featured warm, inviting tones.
Reflecting on Progress
As I reflect on these design choices, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come in making this house feel like home. Just yesterday, we helped my mom move out of her house, and it also marked our six-year anniversary in this one. While I’m still living with baloney-colored countertops and some dated tile from the 80s, looking around our home for this post reminded me of the transformation we’ve achieved.
Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing some long-overdue updates on the blog this month, including a few before-and-afters that highlight our journey. Thanks for coming along as we continue to make this space our own!
Don’t forget to visit my co-hosts to see how they’ve embraced mixed metals in their own homes:
- Pam @ Simple Details
- Kris @ Driven By Decor
- Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles
- Claire @ Claire Brody Designs (special guest)
Mixing metals is such a simple yet impactful way to add personality and visual interest to your home. Whether it’s a touch of copper in the foyer or a blend of gold and silver on a bar cart, the possibilities are endless. Let your creativity shine and have fun experimenting with different combinations—you might just discover a new favorite look!
