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Think about it in the context of the overall design. It sounds like something most people wouldn't even notice. It's not like the two metals will be right next to each other (you're not planning on hanging a table from the ceiling, are you?). I say go for it.

In this situation, it sounds perfectly ok. In fact, the thin strips of polished chrome can reflect what is around them so it can look much warmer in the right setting.

The highly-esteemed French design house, Maison Jansen, during mid-century, produced many beautiful pieces using mixed metals, namely steel and brass which are still coveted and in high demand for they are beautiful.

I love metallic, and especially hammered metallic paints. I inherited some vintage floor lamps that had rusted a bit, so I scrubbed off as much of the rust as I could, sprayed on a coat of rustoleum primer, and then sprayed the lamps with a matching hammered bronze paint. They looked as good as new.

The ingredient in the hammered paint keeps the paint from looking flat, and, well, like paint. Instead the finish looks like hammered metal. I think this would be an *excellent* way to get that 'metal bamboo' look, or update/change out the shade of a painted metal table.

I had a little french accent table once upon a time with a mirrored glass top. The wood finish had been so beaten up and scarred that I thought painting it gold would be fun. It was awesome, and in the end sold it for twice what I paid for it. :-)

If the white metal really bothers you, and you are willing to dismantle the drum shade and turn this into a project, you can spray the aluminum frame with transparent gold lacquer. (I've tried this, and it works.) The product you want to look for is called "toning lacquer," available in rattle cans from a company called Mohawk. It's hard to find in stores, but Google will give you some mail-order options.

You'd probably want to scuff up the metal a little with medium steel wool before lacquering, so the coating doesn't run off or pool. Several thin coats, and the metal will come out looking remarkably like brass. Probably best to practice on a piece of scrap aluminum, like a takeout container, before you spray the real thing.

Many goldtone metal items from the fifties and sixties, like clock faces and TV knobs, were finished this way, with toning lacquer sprayed over silver-colored metal.

Mix it up!
We have chrome tables and brass lamps, a gilt chandelier and a very handsome bar cart made of brass AND chrome. Mixing metals keeps the place from looking too matchy matchy.

Many thanks for all your feedback! I'm going with the mix. In fact, I think I'm going to mix it up even more!

My next challenge will be hanging artwork and mirrors. Actually, my next challenge will be BUDGET! Lol. I'm trying to sell my unwanted things on EBay and Craig's List so I can afford the things I still need.

I love reading the comments on Apartment Therapy, and when my place is a little more in shape, I promise to post photos.

-Abigail