Mixed Metals & Wood: Pairing Brass, Black Steel, and Bronze Accents

A Touch of Metal Transforms the Warmth of Wood

Walk into a room with a handcrafted walnut table paired with matte black steel legs, and you feel it immediately—balance. The organic softness of wood meets the bold precision of metal, creating contrast, character, and depth. This is where timeless materials meet modern design.

At Shaking Quakie Woodworks, we’ve seen a clear shift: more clients and designers are blending mixed metals with natural hardwoods to achieve that perfect rustic-modern or industrial-refined aesthetic. But knowing how to do it well—how to pair brass, bronze, or blackened steel with maple, walnut, or white oak—takes thought and a trained eye.

In this article, we’ll explore the art and function of mixing metals and wood in furniture and interiors, the rules we follow (and break), and tips to get the look right in your own space.

Why Mixed Materials Matter

Pairing wood with metal isn’t new—it’s how furniture was often built before the rise of plastic and mass production. But what’s different now is how intentional these combinations are.

Done right, metal accents:

• Elevate wood’s natural beauty by creating contrast
• Introduce sophistication without overwhelming the piece
• Tie in hardware, lighting, and décor for a cohesive interior palette
• Create timeless versatility—rustic enough for a cabin, refined enough for a city loft

Mixed material furniture speaks a design language that’s both tactile and timeless.

The Big Three: Metals We Love to Pair with Wood

Let’s break down the characteristics of the three most popular metals in custom furniture design—and how we like to pair them.

1. Brass: The Warm, Luxe Statement

Brass is rich, golden, and reflective—making it ideal for clients who want a slightly vintage or upscale touch without going too traditional. Depending on the finish, it can look bold and polished or aged and matte.

Best woods to pair with brass:

• Walnut: Dark, deep grain + golden brass = elegant contrast
• Cherry: Aged cherry’s reddish tone harmonizes beautifully with warm metals
• Ash or maple (with dark stain): Light woods stained rich brown feel sophisticated next to antiqued brass

Where to use it:

• Drawer pulls and knobs
• Tapered legs or foot caps
• Inlays or banding on tabletops or cabinet fronts
• Accent bolts and pins on joinery

Style fit: Mid-century modern, Art Deco revival, or traditional with a modern edge.

2. Blackened Steel: Bold, Modern, and Grounding

Black steel is the go-to for modern, industrial, and minimalist builds. Its dark matte surface absorbs light rather than reflecting it—making it ideal for grounding warm-toned woods and balancing more rustic textures.

Best woods to pair with black steel:

• White oak: The coolness of oak complements the steel's dark tone
• Maple: Bright, clean-grain maple provides visual clarity against black steel
• Reclaimed wood: Black steel frames bring structure and contrast to rougher, aged textures

Where to use it:

• Table and bench legs
• Cabinet frames and open shelving units
• Floating vanities with steel supports
• Live-edge tables with metal butterfly keys

Style fit: Industrial, Scandinavian, Japanese-modern, rustic contemporary

3. Bronze: Understated, Earthy, and Textural

Bronze has a darker, softer hue than brass—closer to copper but less orange. It can be polished or brushed, and it patinas naturally over time. Bronze feels more artisanal and earthy than its flashier counterparts.

Best woods to pair with bronze:

• White oak: Cool wood tones warm up with bronze’s aged finish
• Mahogany or sapele: Reddish woods and bronze make for rich, heritage-driven combinations
• Thermally modified woods: Their toasted tones pair beautifully with bronze’s subtle glow

Where to use it:

• Cabinet hardware and appliance pulls
• Built-in lighting elements (like sconces in millwork)
• Accent rails or edge profiles on open shelving

Style fit: Transitional, earthy modern, boho-industrial

How to Mix Metals and Wood Like a Designer

Adding metal to wood furniture isn’t just about slapping on some hardware. It’s about balance, proportion, and finish. Here’s what we recommend.

1. Stick to a Dominant Tone

In each piece, let either the wood or the metal lead. For example, if you’re using a highly figured walnut top, go for a simpler matte black or bronze base. If your table is minimalist white oak, you might get away with bolder brass legs.

2. Repeat Materials Across the Room

If you’re using black steel for table legs, try to echo that tone in light fixtures, curtain rods, or shelving brackets. This helps tie the piece into the space and makes it feel intentional, not random.

3. Mind the Finish

• Brushed vs. polished: Brushed finishes feel softer and more lived-in. Polished metal can lean formal or modern.
• Raw vs. sealed steel: Raw steel patinas over time. We usually seal ours to preserve the look without rusting.
• Antiqued vs. bright brass: Aged brass feels timeless. Shiny brass can read glam—or outdated, if not paired thoughtfully.

4. Match the Mood of the Wood

Hardwoods have their own mood. Don’t pair overly ornate hardware with rustic, reclaimed wood. Let the grain and tone of the wood guide the personality of the metal you choose.

5. Let Craftsmanship Show

We often highlight joinery with metal accents—like visible pins, splines, or bolts. These touches add authenticity, and remind the viewer that this piece wasn’t built on an assembly line.

What Clients Love About Mixed Materials

One of our clients commissioned a walnut and brass console table. We designed it with clean mitered edges, brass inlay around the drawer face, and brass hex knobs that mirrored their kitchen lighting. It was subtle, but sophisticated—and they’ve told us it’s now the first thing guests compliment when they walk in.

Another build featured reclaimed fir shelves with black steel pipe brackets for a mountain cabin. The contrast was bold and masculine, yet the natural knots in the wood kept it warm and approachable.

In both cases, the metal didn’t just support the design—it completed it.

Final Word: When Materials Talk to Each Other, Magic Happens

Wood is warm. Metal is cool. Wood is organic. Metal is structured. When paired thoughtfully, they don’t compete—they converse.

At Shaking Quakie Woodworks, we don’t treat metal accents as afterthoughts. We design them in from the start—considering proportion, tone, and lifestyle to ensure your custom piece feels grounded, elegant, and timeless.