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Mixing Metals to Warm Up Your Home Décor

Dec 2015

Sinkology is proud to present Kristan Allen, our design expert and guest blogger who runs the @FarmhouseRedefined Instagram. Kristan is here to share some design ideas and inspiration around designing your home around your copper sink.


Incorporating pops of metal can be a great way to add warmth and a dose of the unexpected to your home decor. Whether you prefer bold color palettes or calming neutrals, metals come in a variety of tones that are both beautiful and functional. Check out a few of these tips for adding the warmth of metal to your home.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink (Oh Wait, That Too!)

The kitchen is a natural place to incorporate metallic, especially copper. Copper cookware is a great place to start. It pulls double duty, radiating beauty in both form and function. It’s stunning in a display when not being used on the stove–think overhead pot rack, glass-front cabinet or even open shelving. For big impact, look into a copper farmhouse sink. The large front apron on this style of sink is perfect for accentuating hammered copper.

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Photo by Kristan Allen, Instagram: @FarmhouseRedefined

Something Old, Something New

You don’t have to look far to find metallic accents. Smaller pieces are perfect in a shelf vignette, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box… or basket! These metallic storage baskets from West Elm are made of recycled foils and are a shiny, eco-friendly way to store magazines or other items. They sparkle even brighter when paired with mirrored and Mercury glass accents. Your local antique store or flea market can also be a good source of unique metallic decor that you won’t find anywhere else. For example, vintage copper food molds can create an interesting gallery wall display in the kitchen or dining room (holiday hint: smaller ones also look great hanging on a Christmas tree!).

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Photo by Kristan Allen, Instagram: @FarmhouseRedefined

The Bigger Picture

If you’re looking for an easy way to make metallics the focus of a room, try incorporating them into your furniture. Chairs with metal studs and tables with iron or bronze frames are transitional pieces that can fit with a variety of décor styles. Feeling daring? Try a brass faceted piece like this table from Pottery Barn. For even more drama, pair metallics with a weathered finish. The contrast will really amplify the warmth of the metal. In this case, a weathered wood and bone-inlaid tray offsets, but complements the brass finish of the table and really brings the shine to life.

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Photo by Kristan Allen, Instagram: @FarmhouseRedefined

Bridge the Gap

One of the best things about metallics is their versatility. Bright colors, neutrals, monochromatic…metallics work with it all. They can also help you bridge the gap between different palettes. For example, I have a two-toned kitchen with distressed black cabinets and cream cabinets. To create harmony between the colors, I used metallics as my common denominator. Bronze hardware and copper sinks create uniformity and bring both cabinet colors together.

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Photo by Kristan Allen, Instagram: @FarmhouseRedefined

Regardless of whether you choose to add metallics as a main focal point or in a more subtle way, they will instantly draw people in and add a touch of sparkle and warmth to your decor. Show us how you’re using your metallics! Tag your Instagram photos with #metallichomelove and tag @Sinkology and @FarmhouseRedefined. Here’s to a shiny and bright holiday season!


Our team will be bringing more styles and design inspiration for more of our unique and handmade sinks. For more ideas on how to style your rooms around your copper sinks, check out our Pinterest page.

If you have any additional questions during your search, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on FacebookTwitterPinterest, or Instagram for more helpful tips and design ideas.