Getting to know your metals. Warm metals include gold, brass, bronze and copper; silver metals, such as chrome and nickel, are considered cool. Then you have oil-rubbed bronze, which can vary in tone.

Brass hinges coupled with brushed nickel handles looks jarring, but if all the hardware is about the same color, it’s unlikely anyone will carefully inspect the finish on the hinges. Spray paint ...

With a slender 3/4" diameter, CB2's brushed-brass curtain rods have clean lines and feel delicate above the windows, rather than awkwardly bulky. Plus the warm finish looks just like with a splash ...