It is no secret that I am all for mixing metals — I prefer it over the matchy-matchy look — but as they get integrated more and more into design, from hardware to grout, I still see people missing the mark when it comes to marrying the metals together. A few years ago I wrote about how this was especially prevalent when it came to styling with rose gold, copper, and gold.

P.S. It's still happening.

But as people embrace all the metals I started seeing it happen with two additional metals that I haven't talked before — brass & bronze. In addition to gold, these metals have definitely taken center stage, as far as design trends go, making a full comeback — but better — from the the gaudy designs of the 80s.

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As I've always said, when done correctly and with intention, you can design something elevated and timeless, but incorrectly...well it can go from timeless to tacky real fast.

But let's start with the basics...

What is the difference between brass, bronze, and gold?

In my previous post, I noted that at their core, one of the key differences between rose gold, copper, and gold is that the latter are native metals -- found that way in nature without any manipulation -- where rose gold is a combination of metals. When it comes to brass, bronze, and gold, all three are native metals, with brass & bronze being alloys consisting of copper and gold being a pure metal.

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What does this all mean and, more importantly, why does it matter?

It doesn't, lol, but understanding the native state of metals like these becomes particularly important because they will change "color" over time as they age — aka patina — whereas a metal that isn't in it's native state won't. You get what you get and that's how it'll stay.

Now that's how all three are the same, but how are they different? The science lesson is officially over since for this, we're strictly focusing on the the appearance of these metals.

Brass and gold are the two that are most commonly used interchangeably — I’m guilty — due to their similar yellow undertone, where you'll see bronze is warmer...more red, almost brown, making it a lot easier to distinguish.

Brass' copper composition is what'll make it seem warmer, or less yellow, than gold.

When it comes to using these metals, I won't say there are rules, but you have to be thoughtful about how you're introducing them to one another. One of the biggest considerations? The finish. Brushed? Hammered? Satin? All will give you a difference tone and vibe in the space, not to mention other factors like lighting. So can you have brass hardware with gold grout in your bathroom? Absolutely, because in those two different applications they will likely complement — not compete with — one another.

Keeping in mind the presence of copper in both brass & bronze, it's also important to remember it can drastically patina over time.

Does gold patina? Yes, but the copper can/will give the other two a drastically different look...depending on the finishes of course. When comparing rose gold, copper, and gold, I said that my preferred metal was gold. When up against brass & bronze, however, I find myself torn between the three, but favoring gold the least because of its natural yellow hue. When I think of many of the metals I'm most often drawn to when sourcing and/or daydreaming, they're usually brass, not gold.

How about you?

Let's do some side by side shopping & see where you land and which metals you favor. My analytics tell me a large population of you can't get enough copper, so I am definitely curious to see how you feel about these metals.