The golden age: how to use metallic accents to create a luxurious space

Not just synonymous with black and white, the contemporary interior decor style has expanded to include vibrant hues and maximalist style cues. The latest microtrend? Metallic accents. Even a hint of metal can serve to elevate a space, imbuing it with a distinctly opulent feel.

No longer do you have to declare yourself a gold or silver person, with savvy interior designers proving mixed metals such as gold, silver, and bronze can coexist in harmony within a chic space. Cool tones such as silver and steel lean into the slick, moody, almost industrial modern aesthetic, while warm hues such as gold, rose gold, brass, and bronze set a distinctly glamorous tone reminiscent of a retro cocktail hour.

Here’s how to use metallics to inject your home with a sense of glamour.

While playful, vivid hues aren’t completely off-limits, when metallics become more than mere accents in your space, it’s best to keep a more polished colour palette to avoid overpowering the eye. A home abundant in lavish metallics, Armadale Residence balances the inherent splendour of an entirely gold-look brass kitchen island and cabinets with equally luxurious yet definitively understated curved white stucco walls and veined grey marbled floors, allowing the statement metallics to shine. 

Similarly, Emerald Terrace leans into the modern glamour aesthetic, incorporating jewel-toned pops of colour within a largely neutral colour palette in the form of velvet seating, curated coffee table books, and contemporary artwork.

The key to nailing the metallic interior design trend lies in exercising restraint. While a hint of metal can enliven a space and make a room feel more elegant, too many metallics can veer on the edge of gaudiness. To avoid encroaching into tacky territory, use metallics as accents within a space. In the living room, elements like floor lamps, bar carts and cocktail shakers, stools and gilded mirrors work well, while hallways can benefit from subtle metallic statements in the form of decorative metal vases and storage trays. In the bathroom in Armadale Residence, gold hardware, minimalist gilded mirrors, and a gold towel rail perfectly complement their marble surrounds, contributing to the overall sense of grandeur without being overbearing.

No more team silver or team gold. When it comes to interior design, warm and cool undertones work play together nicely, contributing to well-rounded spaces. The unparalleled opulence of warm metals such as brass and gold is enhanced when accented with cool tones such as nickel or chrome. Similarly, a space with predominantly cool undertones can be softened with the warmer tones in brass or copper, creating a sense of balance. In Emerald Terrace, a fresh yet sleek aesthetic is maintained by teaming a reflective polished chrome side table with a hammered gold accent tray within the same space.

Naturally, you can also mix metals in the same tonal family. To ensure they work well together, opt for metals in both high- and low-lustre finishes, such as polished with brushed. This ensures the metals complement each other, rather than competing for attention.

Not solely reserved for the main living areas, metallics can also be used to inject a sense of style into the oft-neglected service areas. The Shaker Laundry Project pairs blue shaker-style cabinetry with brushed brass tapware and hardware to create an elegant laundry room. All other elements are kept pared-back, with the classic, straightforward interiors placing an emphasis on exemplary craftsmanship and luxurious finishes. It’s important to note that both the laundry and bathroom are areas where mixing and matching metals should be avoided. Instead, pick one finish (such as polished chrome, brushed brass, or brushed bronze) and stick to it.

Sometimes, minimal effort can have maximum impact. When other elements of a home are already eye-catching and captivating, it’s best not to turn your home into a hall of mirrors by oversaturating it with metallics. Ornate ceilings and colourful statement furniture in the kitchen in Chiselwood are complemented with touches of metallics in the form of brushed brass tapware, hardware, and pendant lighting. Effortlessly blending heritage architecture with contemporary interiors, this residence showcases how metallics can work to pull a space together.

Words by Tanisha Angel