The finish is what you actually see and touch, so it carries a lot of a lamp’s personality. Here is a quick tour of the finishes you will meet in our lighting, and how we mix them.
Metals
- Satin nickel: cool, soft silver with a brushed look. Calm and neutral next to steel and gray.
- Weathered brass: warm gold that has been muted, so it feels lived-in. Lovely beside wood and leather.
- Brushed brass: a brighter, finer-grained brass with a gentle glow.
- Black nickel: a deep graphite metal with a hint of sheen. Softer than flat black.
- Matte black: no shine at all. Crisp, graphic, easy to place.
- Gunmetal and antique nickel: darker, aged silvers for vintage or industrial rooms.
Leaf and shade linings
Gold or silver leaf inside a shade warms or cools the glow when the lamp is lit. It is delicate, so a touch-up pen is the fix for a small scratch.
Woods
Walnut, ash, oak, ebony, pecan and lighter woods are each a different depth of tone. Grain is natural and varies from one lamp to the next.
Shades and color
Linen and burlap scatter light softly. Bolder shades like red, turquoise, mustard, avocado and pool blue turn a lamp into the accent of the room. Screens differ, so use the photos for each finish as your guide.
Mixing finishes
- Let one metal lead and another play a supporting role.
- Echo something already in the room: a faucet, a frame, a table leg.
- When in doubt, pair a dark metal with a light shade, or the reverse.