Mixing Metals with Interior Designer Whittney Parkinson

Do you know who our favorite timeless and eclectic interior designer is? If you’re thinking Whittney Parkinson, you’re right! Whittney has been one of our long time favorite designers, creating both beautiful and liveable spaces. Today we’ll be featuring her latest renovation – the Bolderwood Project. Whittney is not just known for designing beautiful spaces, but also a mixing metals genius.

We caught up with Whittney Parkinson and got her insider tips for mixing metals in your home!

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

---

Kathy Kuo: Welcome, Whittney! We’re huge fans of your design style, which you describe as a balance of timeless and eclectic design. Tell us more about your look and how you achieve this elegant aesthetic.

Whittney Parkinson: It’s been a real goal of mine this year, as a creative to truly dig deep & know my clients, as a family, as individuals, and what makes them tick. Anyone can design a beautiful show space, but to design a space tailored to the humans who utilize it, requires being purposeful. However, I still have to be cognizant of my brand, which tends to be a love child of traditionalism & modern simplicity. I tend to nod to both, with a goal of graceful aging, and anti-trend. 

KK: You have also mentioned growing up in a design-focused family. What are some of the memories or insights you recall that inspired you to go into the field?

WP: My father is an architect and my mother was an interior designer. My sisters and I thought that every child grew up in show houses, or on dirty job sites, because it was our norm. It was important to my parents for us to be with them.  We would take notebooks into meetings, and take “fake notes”, but we thought we were truly contributing. I’m grateful for my degree in this field, but I know that so much more of my knowledge came from learning the construction process as a child, seeing client interaction face to face, and knowing that budgets are REAL. 

---

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

 

---

KK: One of our most popular blog articles is about how to mix metals. We noticed you also mix metals quite frequently in your work. Can we assume you’re a fan of the trend? Why do you think this look is gaining popularity?

WP: To me, it is less about trend, and more about what visually appeals to the eye. Our eye by nature loves symmetry, but also interest. When you specify 1 metal in a space, if feels very 1 dimensional. However, when two metals are “holding hands” per say, then it feels more collected, layered & interesting. 

KK: Do you have a go-to finish or a favorite metal tone that you like to work into your designs? 

WP: I think the brass that extends beyond trend is unlacquered brass. It’s my favorite to use on plumbing fixtures, hardware, and exposed hinges on cabinetry. The patina when it ages is unmatchable.

---

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

Mixing Metals Tip #1:

Brasses should generally be the same hue, and I always pair polished nickel instead of chrome with a brass. Polished nickel has a warmer undertone, that speaks more naturally, than the cool tones of chrome.

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

---

KK: Most exciting mixed metal trend you’ve seen recently?

WP: I love seeing the introduction of copper mixed into kitchens. It’s warm, but it typically is introduced in the form of accessories or exposed pots and pans. It feels collected but feels so natural & timeless in a kitchen. The more patina the better!

KK: Most cliché mixed metal trend that may need a break? 

WP: I hate to say that anything is cliché’, because every space is so uniquely different, and I’m a huge proponent of gravitating towards what you love & brings happiness, regardless of finish, color, trend. But if you need guideline; what works for an older historic home, likely won’t for a more modern new build, so just be cognizant of the age of your home, and the architectural style. 

---

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

Mixing Metals Tip #2:

Try to avoid mixing beyond two metal tones, with one being the more dominate in the space.

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

 

---

KK: People often worry that their metal finishes will clash. Is clashing finishes something to worry about? If so, how do you avoid it?

WP: It’s all about hue and tone. Again, if I use a brass, I’ll likely pair it with a warm polished nickel. If I use a chrome, I’ll mix with black. To me (personally), brass and chrome are too opposite ends of the spectrum. I like for the metals to be different but speak the same language. 

KK: Do you have a favorite room or type of space you like to design? 

WP: Hands down, the kitchen. Maybe it’s the Italian in me, but that’s where we spend so much of our time, as family’s. It’s the epicenter of every design. There are so many elements to a kitchen (cabinetry, flooring, back splash, lighting, counter tops, hardware), which is why It’s typically the jumping off point, when we do conceptual design. A kitchen is incredibly personal. Some clients like to cook, and others’ live the take-out life. Both are fine! But it allows me to peek into their day to day world, and learn how they function as a family. I like to know what has worked in the past, and what hasn’t. The goal of any design (kitchen or not), is to upgrade their lifestyle, so that it’s not only beautiful but they find true happiness in the individualized details, made just for them. 

---

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

Mixing Metals Tip #3:

Space out your metal finishes, so they aren’t congregated in one area. This balance allows the eye to move around the space & see interest. 

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

---

KK: What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered as a designer? How did you handle it?

WP: I think I speak for designer’s everywhere, when I say one of the largest challenges is trust. I feel it’s something that improves dramatically with time and experience. In the beginning of my career, I felt as though I was always repeating the phrase “just trust me”. The solution to this was answering as many questions for them as possible. Getting as many visuals in front of them early on as I could, to ensure we were on the same page. Lastly, (and most importantly) create boundaries. Reassuring that they hired me & my expertise for a reason.

---

Photography Credit: Sarah Shields 

---

About The Bolderwood Renovation

This 13-year-old home, that the clients has just purchased, had great bones architecturally, however the aesthetic was not their own. During the conceptual mood board phase of the design process, it kept gravitating to European (English in particular) inspired interiors. There was also a constant narrative early on to create a space that will age gracefully over time, with just a touch of modern. The request was for a functional, timeless, kid friendly space, chalk full of sneaky storage, tailored to this specific vivacious family of 4!

Much of the original lay out for this home was at a 45 degree angle. With angles, you lose space, every time. The goal was to shift the floor plan back to a 90 degree orientation which not only added square footage, but also made the space more symmetrical, which the eye craves naturally. Whittney told the homeowners, (which is rare for a designer), that if she had to choose any project of her entire portfolio, that spoke to her true inner aesthetic, this project was it. It’s hard to choose a favorite room in this renovation, however the kitchen checks all of her personal favorite boxes; a combination of wood and painted cabinetry, beautiful lighting, antique mirror for bouncing light, natural stone countertops and a focal range hood. When can we move in?

---

Whittney’s Favorite KKH Mixing Metal Pieces

---

Kathy Kuo Design Services