Mixing Metals and Materials Without Clashing

Mixing metals works when one clearly leads and the second appears deliberately. Brass as the accent on a predominantly steel kitchen reads as considered; equal amounts of three metals reads as indecision.

Keep all the handles one finish and all the tapware another. Mixing finishes within the same category looks like a mistake, while separating by function makes the difference look intentional.

Stainless ovens, hobs and extraction are metal whether or not you planned them as part of the palette. Count them before adding a third finish, which is where most mixed schemes tip over.

The same principle governs timber, stone and lacquer. Two primary materials with one accent is a scheme; four materials competing equally is noise. Decide which surface is the hero and subordinate the rest to it.