I've been driving Steve a bit crazy lately. You see, he's a macro kind of guy and I'm a micro gal. He's busy focusing on the layout of Patina Farm, and I'm worrying about the finishes in the kitchen. I believe this is a very common problem. It's just the difference between the male and female mind. Fortunately I have Velvet and Linen, where I can share my obsession with you and leave Steve alone for a while.
I'm loving the combination of metals these days. I found this image in my new Beta Plus Contemporary Kitchens book. It's a great example of the beauty that can be acheived by combining brass, stainless steel, and copper.
This French kitchen also combines three types of metal.
The La Cornue range is the ultimate in metal combining perfection.
The La Cornue range looks great in any style kitchen.
We are leaning towards the Lacanche range. If you have one of these beauties, I'd love to know your experience. Are they as wonderful to use as they look?
The color palette of this kitchen is chalky perfection. It's one of the images that convinced me to select the Lacanche.
We plan to use this Barber Wilsons bridge faucet in unlacquered brass.
I'd love your opinion. How do you feel about mixing metals? What's your favorite range? Any other suggestions?
To see more of our Patina Farm Kitchen inspiration, visit me on Pinterest.
Before I finish this post I want to thank Redbook Magazine for featuring our bathroom as their "Dream Room".
.
To see their "get the look" suggestions, please check out the February 2012 issue of Redbook!
xo
Brooke
If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.
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I like the idea of mixing metals. Brass has been a stepsister for a few years now and it is time to bring it back. It's a classic and I like it unlacquered.
Posted by: Susan Daniel | January 21, 2012 at 06:21 PM
Gorgeous kitchens Brooke - I especially love the second photo - I LOVE kitchens that don't look like cookie cutter kitchens. These are beautiful!
Posted by: Sarah | January 21, 2012 at 06:38 PM
You are so right, Brooke! Macro and Micro says it all. I have had this problem with my husband...a lot! It's kind of a duh moment to finally realize...they just can't help it! LOL!
I love the combo of metals. It has a more historic look when it looks like a beautiful collection acquired over time. Beautiful old pieces, with Patina Magnifique!
I have been thinking about your Patina Farm and I am hoping and trusting that it will be another book... or books...The Patina Chronicles; Creating Patina Farm, The Kitchen and Baths of Patina Farm, The Gardens and Pond of Patina Farm, The Chicken Coop and Animals of Patina Farm, etc., etc. Can't wait!
Posted by: Christine | January 21, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Brooke I have grown to love mixing metals. Copper, bronze, gold, silver, brass. Depending on the setting, I think two or three choices make a good combination.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Posted by: Karena | January 21, 2012 at 09:02 PM
This is making me feel very good as we have copper, stainless steel, aged brass and even nickel in our kitchen right now. It feels right. Bravo to Redbook for recognizing a luxurious and unique bathroom.
Mary Ann
Posted by: classic • casual • home | January 21, 2012 at 09:23 PM
I love mixed metals --it is all jewelry. Don't forget pewter. The combination of patinated copper and brass and pewter--just like kitchens of the past: warm and embracing and just waiting to be cooked with or on. Wishing you a super Sunday. Mary
Posted by: mary | January 21, 2012 at 09:34 PM
Brooke, I just ran across a mention of the Lacanche in the Les Murets website. In case you are not familiar, it is a property near Avignon, owned by the gals at Huff Harrington (Gallery & Home Store) in Atlanta. Their blog is the Artful Lifestyle and they, also, have a property in Paris. Thought they will have some experience that might be helpful.
Chris
Posted by: Christine | January 21, 2012 at 10:27 PM
*** I'm immediately attracted to the MIXING of METALS (except in MUSIC~~~ ha ha!). Seriously, I think it lends a "special, elegantly casual look", that seems to make the space even WARMER & more INVITING... and certainly "EXCITING" for those of us who walk in and SEE IT!!!
I honestly don't think you could make a "mistake" here, Brooke~~~ you KNOW what you're doing more than just about ANYBODY else!!!
XO,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Posted by: Linda in AZ * | January 21, 2012 at 10:58 PM
been missing you lately..wondering how the chickens are doing....enjoyed this post on mixing metals.
Posted by: diane | January 21, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Whatever you'd mix would be fine, 'cos you are Brooke & you are brilliant. Of course I adore La Cornue & Lacanche, but the cost of shipping them Down Under means I would need to sell all 5 of the kids to see one settled beautifully into our much anticipated kitchen reno. Mmmmmmmmm.
Millie xx
Posted by: Millie | January 21, 2012 at 11:42 PM
Day one , honestly I heard someone say, " in bathrooms And kitchens the lights, the faucets,, the knobs should match" I said "EEEEK NO"!!!! I was six!!
Never!
America had to go to factories and sameness...(probably the wrong reason but we lost our taste and originality after the last "WAR". Just my opinion ! (I was born right after the war ; 1947)
I want and love copper, (lacquered brass is such an anaethma to me! ICK!!! ) Ewwww it peels!!! so gross and cheapens such an elegant metal! horrible to see!
Bronze is lovely ! And all looks best with the patina of age!!!
The best part of any metal or paint finish is "patina" the natural aging of metal and paint.
Lovely!!!
Sadly people are not educated! I hope to change that!!
Penelope
Posted by: Penelope Bianchi | January 22, 2012 at 12:13 AM
Hi Brooke! I'm a long time reader but I think this is actually the first time I have commented--I just had to! I am in the middle of a (small budget) kitchen reno (here on urbanorchardinteriors.com) and have been on a similar wavelength. I bought a brass bridge faucet a few months ago and had the lacquer stripped off--it's not installed yet but the brass has been aging nicely even in the box. I have a contemporary oven that we can't replace now but it's stainless. I intentionally combined the 2 finishes liking the way it feels layered and collected over time. The copper is another beautiful element I had not considered but I love it! Your blog and book are great and I love seeing Patina Farm progress.
Posted by: Lane McNab | January 22, 2012 at 12:14 AM
I use La Cornue in our French kitchen and adore it... I am often heard saying that I could put a pair of old boots in the oven and they would come out tasting delicious... If I ever renovate I am going to try and have an even bigger one!. Lacanche is very popular in France too but I have never tried it... I am about to renovate a small property in our local village and I am thinking of having one there... Will let you know, but you might beat me to it... The official (and obligatory) planning is going very slowly! xv
Posted by: vicki archer | January 22, 2012 at 12:22 AM
I love the mix of bronze, unlaq brass, copper, wrought iron, and steel in a kitchen with stone, wood, plaster finishes...so beautiful and gets better with age. I just watched "Its Complicated" again recently and now I can't stop dreaming of that great house. I think Patina Farm will be even better! Looking forward to seeing its progress. Thanks for your great blog.
Posted by: Marybeth | January 22, 2012 at 03:56 AM
I just moved into a house with a cobalt blue Lacanche. It functions as fabulous as it looks. Make sure you watch the online tutorial. The warming ovens are great to have. Keep in mind the ovens are quite small compared to most. With thats said, I had no problem cooking a ham or turkey this Christmas. Patina needs one!
Posted by: Emily | January 22, 2012 at 05:07 AM
Thank you for sharing your PINS with us. You have given me so many great ideas and saved us a lot of time had we waited to dream them up on our own!!!
Posted by: Allyson | January 22, 2012 at 05:45 AM
Congratulations on your feature Brooke. Love the mixing of metals!
Posted by: Laura Casey Interiors | January 22, 2012 at 06:22 AM
Wow those are gorgeous ovens, now I'm desperate for a kitchen re-do! Love all your ideas!
Posted by: Maureen Davis | January 22, 2012 at 06:26 AM
When we built our home 20 years ago shiny brass was all the rage. Since then I have changed to polished nickle and brushed nickle. I do really like the look of the unlacquered brass. I don't ever want the shiny brass again but love the patina of the unlacquered. I think mixing metals is the same as mixing different woods in the same room, it can and should be done.
Posted by: Lana Waller | January 22, 2012 at 07:11 AM
Hello, We have had our Lacanche Range for six years and it has worked beautifully, when we redid our kitchen we were on our way to buying another well known brand and found this company online
I love the ease with how it cleans up and it looks brand new. Live in a small city in Texas and there
Are three owners of this range here. You can't go wrong!
Frederica
Posted by: Frederica Anderson | January 22, 2012 at 07:17 AM
we just installed antique brass pulls and knobs on our kitchen cabinets. we have stainless steel appliances, sink and faucet. i worried at first that it wouldn't look "ok". but i love it! next step, upgrade the faucet to brass. congrats on the redbook article! (and thanks so much for hitting the nail on the head with me and my husband... i never thought of it that way, micro and macro, that's it!!)
Posted by: pam | January 22, 2012 at 07:22 AM
Hi Brook: My understanding is that electric ovens have much more even and reliable temperature control. This matters for cakes, cookies, souffles etc.. I use my convection bake all the time, and it is a great time saver, especially with large turkeys. The best one I ever owned had a thermometer in the oven that you plugged into the meat. When the desired temperature was achieved, it dinged. This way, the meat was always perfect. I recommend gas cook tops and thermador ovens.
Best,
Liz
Posted by: Dovecote Decor | January 22, 2012 at 07:52 AM
So glad you will go with the Lacanche, the range of choice for my French & Italian friends! Wishing you a good weekend.
Posted by: French Basketeer | January 22, 2012 at 10:51 AM
I find so many interesting and new ideas here...at least to me. {I think I kind of live in a design cave.... need to get out more and see whats out there =)
I have a gas cook top and a convection oven....works great for me....loving the range inspiration here today.
Happy Day-
Teresa
Posted by: teresa | January 22, 2012 at 11:20 AM
We love our Lacanche, a burgandy Citeaux with the electric, gas and hot cupboard ovens, and, at the last minute after we placed the order, we changed the trim to the traditional brass so that we could mix our metals - I'm so glad we did. It just looks so rich! Our kitchen has pewter cabinet knobs, polished nickel faucets and appliance handles, and then the brass and steel on the range. I'm thinking of the Circa Lighting Goodman pendant lights for the island in white metal with brass inside to highlight the brass in the range and because I use so much gold, silver, and gilver (!), in the house.
Right now I just have bare bulbs!
If you go with the Lacanche make sure to add the laplancha - high heat searing that makes the most amazing vegetables, meat, and fish! It's by far my favorite part of the range.
I'm not sure how to post a picture in the comments, or I would send a picture of it - its a beauty!
Posted by: Anna | January 22, 2012 at 11:28 AM
I mix metals all the time, it helps give a feeling of history to a house when creating a period look.
I have a stainless steel 48 inch Capital gas stove, as well I have a large electric oven in my island, it is wonderful for baking. I love them both.
Posted by: Heather Couillard | January 22, 2012 at 01:07 PM
one must think about all those small details, steve will thank you, someday!
mixing metals is so rich and interesting and that stove could tie everything together. i am having a long term love affair with my stove, an AGA. i now tell my steve that i cannot possibly live anywhere without one
xo
debra
Posted by: debra phillips @ 5th and state | January 22, 2012 at 01:26 PM
This is a big trend right now. In the past two months alone, Kathy Morris and I have sold more antique French and English copper cook ware and galvanized metal items at our antiques shows than in the previous two months. People are really 'warming' up to the mix. (Pun intended!)
April
Posted by: April | January 22, 2012 at 02:44 PM
Well, it sounds like we're all for mixing metals! Yeah! I'd never thought about buying a lacquer free faucet. What a brilliant idea! It must age beautifully? How do you take the lacquer off?
Also, I just got home from West Palm Beach and Lars Bolander and the shopkeepers on Antique Row are excited you'll be there on the 8th of February! Gorgeous antiques there...all over the place!
Posted by: barbara@thetreasuredhome.com | January 22, 2012 at 02:59 PM
Please consider removing the word verification step of commenting on your blog! Such a pain in the ----!
Posted by: barbara@thetreasuredhome.com | January 22, 2012 at 03:01 PM
I love the mix, especially with living finishes. Rohl has a Tuscan Brass that I love, and you just can't beat a silver or nickel living finish. I am a realtor in Indiana and it's so funny to hear clients talk so about the garish 1980's brass finish. When I tell them gold is coming back, they just gasp!
Posted by: Ginger Lee Williams | January 22, 2012 at 03:14 PM
I don't mind the mixture of metals especially in the kitchens you have shown. They are all very neutral and all about texture! We have a copper faucet with brass fixtures and a stainless pot rack... ;P
Congrats on your blurb in Redbook Magazine....How *awesome* :D
xoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | January 22, 2012 at 04:04 PM
Hi Barbara.
I apologize for the pain in the you know what. Unfortunately I get hundreds of spam comments every day.
Fortunately only 10 or so a day get through. If I remove the verification, all those spam comments would pollute my comments.
It would be a mess.
Until they figure out another way to block spam, the verification is a necessary evil.
Again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience!
On a brighter note, Steve and I are so excited for our trip to Palm Beach.
Lars and Nadine Bolander are such generous people. We are very thankful to them for hosting
the book signing and look forward to meeting the other dealers!
xo
Brooke
Posted by: velvet and linen | January 22, 2012 at 04:57 PM
Brooke,
LOL! I'd be the same...I'd be thinking about the small details in a new home over the grand scheme! I have a Viking stove and really like the way it cooks but the French stoves are so wonderful looking. I'll be eager to hear what your readers have to say about the two brands you've shown us.
I love mixing metals and it sure seems more practical since there are so many lovely metals that come into play in a kitchen. With a stove that has more than one metal finish it makes all other metals seem to work better.
xo,
Karen
Posted by: Karen | January 22, 2012 at 06:46 PM
Oh congratulations on your bathroom being featured in Redbook! What an honor! I also love mixing metals!!
Posted by: Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking | January 22, 2012 at 07:34 PM
HI Brooke - I left you a comment before - not sure what happened to it!! Anyway, I love the mixed metals too. I looked at the La Cornue but found the ovens too small. I put a Lacanche in our last kitchen - looks like the same as in your first photo. Mine was the Sully - with two large ovens - one electric and one gas and I had a lovely matt black hood made to go with it. Mixed faucets as well - nickel for the main sink and brass for the pantry (Lefroy Brooks, as we've discussed before).
Posted by: quintessence | January 22, 2012 at 09:31 PM
Hi Brooke, I so enjoyed this post. I like all the same elements in a kitchen and love the look of mixing things up. We are doing a major reno this July and the kitchen is part of it. I have the file folder going, and spent the day Saturday looking at faucets, I like the unlacquered one in brass very much in the above post. I know you will do a fab job in your reno. Wanted to thank you also for the lovely inscription in my Patina Style book, which Kim sent to me. I read it from cover to cover, it is wonderful and a great source of ideas and inspiration. N.xo
Posted by: Nella | January 23, 2012 at 10:43 AM
I really love your kitchen choices so far, mixed metals are one of my favorite looks. Can't wait to see it come together!
Posted by: Melissa | January 23, 2012 at 01:20 PM
You must be having the time of your life designing your dream home! I would kill for any of these stoves for their beauty, but choose the one that can handle a large a turkey!
Yes, to mixing metals,I especially love brass and pewter together!
Posted by: Acanthus & Acorn | January 23, 2012 at 04:04 PM
Brooke! I have been a follower for a LONG time and I'm so excited for you and your beautiful family... you're home is going to be pure art!! In our previous home we had a Lacanche rang and we loved it!!! It's like a gorgeous piece of furniture and carries a kitchen in ways other ranges don't. The rich simplicity is much more timeless than the La Cornue and to me seems more timeless! I can't wait to follow you on this inspiring journey!
much love to you and your family,
Desiree
Posted by: Desiree Ashworth | January 23, 2012 at 05:18 PM
As a Jewelry designer I always mix metals, and what I've learned in working with natural stones in a mixture is different metals look best next to certain stones (colors in nature). I think it's more harmonious when the eye can move around and fall on random beauty vs. the mind thinking it knows whats coming next! In the first picture, OMG, how beautiful, it looks like a natural evolution in the kitchen, ideas that were added at separate times, over the course of time, some inherited others purchased. I'd go with your mixed metal instincts it's sure to be a success! And what about Zinc, didn't you get some pieces in that metal when traveling this summer? Love your blog :)
Rare Birds Blog
Posted by: robyn | January 24, 2012 at 05:57 AM
Love all of your selections!! And of course the mixed metals will be so beautiful!!
We just spec'd a LaCanche for a kitchen project and my fingers are crossed the client settles on it. I love the stainless/ brass combo. I live vicariously through others :)
Big hug and talk to you soon!!
Xoxo,
Lauren
Posted by: Lauren liess | January 24, 2012 at 01:10 PM
Just beautiful, all of it...gorgeous inspiration.
Monica
Posted by: Monica Hart | January 24, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Love this post as we are just completing a kitchen with mixed metals AND a Lacanche range! The range (Sully) is installed, but we haven't moved in yet, so I haven't actually cooked on it. I have lovingly turned the burners on and off many times and it seems wonderful and packs terrific power. Let me know if you want more information. We had a hard time finding local Lacanche owners here on the East Coast.
Posted by: Tracey | January 24, 2012 at 09:24 PM
I spy a La Canche just like mine! Congratulations on the press. You deserve it!
xo,
Linsey
Posted by: LLH Designs | January 25, 2012 at 09:00 AM
I love that Range! I do not have one but I think it is perfection. Looking forward to seeing it in your new kitchen.
Congratulations on the press, the bathroom isperfection! As always!
Have a great day!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 25, 2012 at 02:32 PM
I've been "freaking out" over the mixed metals in our new home. On pins and needles.....over my selection of unlaquered brass fixture in the kitchen! Let's see.....Circa antiqued nickel and oil rubbed bronze ......stainless steel Wolf.....the entire house lends itself to this. But, I am now awake in the middle of the night with designer angst!!!! Reading all the posts gives me some peace!
Posted by: Claudia Allen | February 02, 2012 at 05:09 AM
Brooke - As in jewelry fashion, mixing metals in decor is wonderful. That range does it perfectly!
My friend (in WA State) has an Aga range and loves it (only turns in off in Aug). But in SoCal the fact that is always on (ie:warm) may be a problem keeping the kitchen cool and comfortable. Does the LaCanche have the same "always on" condition?
Have a great time working through the Micro / Macro - as you have both worked hard to be in this fortunate position - truly enjoy!
Cheers!
Posted by: Linda | February 03, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Hi Linda.
I don't believe the Lacanche is always on, especially because one of the ovens is electric.
However, you might want to contact them directly.
Elisa has been incredibly helpful:
Elisa@frenchranges.com
xo
Brooke
Posted by: velvet and linen | February 03, 2012 at 04:03 PM
We are nearing the end of a kitchen renovation. My Lacanche was the first thing I chose for the kitchen and I can't wait to use it! It is not always on the way an Aga is. Love your blog and have really enjoyed your book!
Posted by: Mary | February 23, 2012 at 05:37 PM