MIX YOUR METALS1
How to glam up your home? Add the sheen of metallic tones
HOW do you give your home a party makeover? Sprinkle a little metallic sheen, that’s how. It instantly ups the glamour factor. At Chanel earlier this year, for example, the legendary couture house added some je ne sais quoi to their A/W 2017 catwalk fashions by adorning them with silver, proving that the look isn’t just for Christmas. In fact, we predict that silver is sure to be a standout interior finish for 2018.
Silver shades are capable of encompassing old and new in one fell swoop. It’s futuristic, yet it’s easy to incorporate with your existing look, whether through accessories or larger surfaces that shine bright in the room.
Take your hardworking kitchen, for example. “To see which finishes silver can be paired with, visiting showrooms is always a good idea,” advises David Rafter, director of Arena Kitchens (arenakitchens.com). “Chrome brings that elegant and unique feeling to the kitchen,” he continues. If you’re concerned about cleaning off smudges or marks, never fear - SieMatic supplies a special cleaning kit with their polished chrome and nickel glass door range.
When matched with white, silver shades can conjure up the look of a futuristic utopia. Play up this theme with uncluttered spaces, reflective surfaces and clean lines for that back to the future look.
Yet, the colour silver is so versatile that it can work for any era you’re drawn to. “Silver, by its nature, exudes an air of luxury and opulence,” says Angela Connolly of Conbu Interior Design. “A pair of luxurious silver/grey velvet curtains will work in both a modern or traditional environment. Choose curtains with a deep French pleat heading for a more traditional feel or a wave heading for a clean, modern look,” she adds.
Angela recommends the colours du jour, hot pinks and purples, as well as rich charcoal for a more masculine look, in the accessories and furniture pieces you choose to match these aforementioned curtains. “You can incorporate a wallpaper with metallic finish, as well or use a grayish/silver paint. However, I’d use metallic finishes sparingly or it could be too blingy.”
This shouldn’t stop you when it comes to mixing metals, however. Golds, coppers and brasses can be best buddies with silver when incorporated correctly, Angela continues: “Copper and brass are popular choices these days and it is possible to mix metals.
“Mixing them with silver will add character and depth to your interior. Choose a dominant metal and blend with warm or cooler tones. Use silver with brass or chrome with copper and you’ll have it in one.”
As Christmas party season approaches, there’s no better time to start shopping for your silver decor pieces. Make the right choices and you’ll have a look that will complement an opulent living room or a dramatic bedroom in no time, as well as work for every season.