Metal Finishes It Off

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From the door hardware required on new kitchen cabinets, to the faucet finish in a renovated bathroom, metal finishes play an integral role in a home's overall decorating scheme.

Metal is so much more than simply an easy surface to clean and maintain. Metal finishes help to set a mood and assist with creating the room's ambience.

Chrome, silver and stainless steel add sparkle to a space, oiled rubbed bronze and patina finishes add warmth and a sense of history, while pewter and copper will gracefully add charm and sophisticated elegance.

Are metals trendy?

There are definitely trends in metal finishes -- take for example the use of stainless steel. Once seen only in commercial kitchens, stainless steel is now the main stream neutral for modern residential kitchens.

Long considered the ideal surface for food preparation this super-strong, hygenic, and water- and heat-resistant metal has nearly every major appliance manufacturer offering a stainless finish in their line.

Today, more and more homeowners and kitchen designers are installing stainless counter tops, stainless cabinet faces and backsplashes.

To avoid a cold feel and look, stainless is being integrated with wooden trims, hand painted tiles and other warmer materials.

Don't be afraid to marry two different metals such as aged bronze or copper with stainless.

This works especially well if you can combine the two different metal finishes on a feature element such as a hood fan.

For example, choose a stainless steel hood fan, accented with copper rivets or trim details.

For kitchens, 14- and 16-gauge stainless is most commonly used. The gauge refers to the thickness of the metal: The lower the number, the thicker the steel.

Can you integrate stainless steel into your kitchens without fear that it will go out of style in the next few years? Definitely, yes.

In the bathroom, dark oil rubbed bronze and nickel finishes are right at home working well with both the popular, Zen-inspired and traditional-styled spa spaces.

To create a professionally designed look in your bathroom, strive to co-ordinate the metal finishes.

Start by updating the faucet with a new, sleek style in a hot new finish, such as antique nickel, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel or stainless steel.

Next -- change your drawer pulls, knobs, towel bars, faucets, showerheads, accessories and even the frame around any artwork.

Not everything needs to be exactly the same finish, but be sure the tonal values are relatively the same.

Alternatively, look for fixtures that use two finishes together, for example, a chrome towel bar with nickel end caps.

Today, blessed with a much greater selection of precious metals for our homes there is no doubt that these precious metals will leave our homes and rooms looking more valuable.