Gary Cripps 
Are you looking to freshen up your home? Have you been meaning to repaint the walls but can’t decide which colors will match your existing pewter accessories? Worry no more! In this blog post, I’ll share with you my top color suggestions that are sure to bring out the best in any pewter items. Keep reading to discover the perfect hues for your home refresh.
Suggestions for Color Separation in Pewter
When it comes to selecting colors for decorating with pewter, there are a few tips that can help make the process easier. First, like all metals, pewter has a sheen or patina to it that varies based on the alloy. This patina of pewter can range from an almost silvery-gray to deeper hues of blues and greens. When selecting the colors to complement your pewter accents, it’s best to pick out shades that will create contrast and bring out the color of your metals. Here are some suggestions for color separation in pewter:
Lighter Shades: Paired with a lighter patina of pewter, consider light oranges, yellows and greens such as buttercup yellow, terra cotta orange and mint green. These shades create an inviting atmosphere while highlighting the cooler tones of your metals.
Darker Shades: For darker tones of pewters such as blues and deep greens, try adding accents in deep blue or navy shades. Reds, wine purples and chocolate browns also look great when paired with metallic finishes in these hue ranges.
Neutrals: If you’re looking for subtle yet classic pairings with your metals, you may want to choose neutral shades such as whites or grays that highlight rather than overwhelm your other design elements. Earthy tones also work well for achieving neutral combinations – beigegolden browns are particularly popular!
Colors That Don’t Go Well With Pewter
Some colors may not go well with pewter and should be avoided. Pewter is a cool-toned neutral grey, which doesn’t always play nicely with certain shades.
Muddy Colors: Colors that come across as too dark or muddy can compete with pewter, making it hard to follow the design you originally intended. Avoid black, navy blue, teal, silver and dark purple if the piece of pewter is intended to stand out in any way.
Vibrant Colors: Vibrant colors typically do not work well with pewter because of the different textures between metal and primary colors such as red and yellow. These colors are best kept away from pewter pieces unless the effect is desired to be fully saturated colors incorporated in a larger design.
Pastels: Pastel shades generally don’t match with pewter either due to their usually lower saturation levels when compared to vibrant colors. When these lighter shades are combined with a bright metal like pewter, they tend to look quite faded and washed out rather than vibrant or elegant as intended. So, it’s best to keep pastel colors away from your piece of pewter unless you want it in the background or only temporarily included in an otherwise minimalistic piece of décor.
What color does pewter look like?
Pewter is a silver-gray metallic color that reflects light in a soft muted fashion. It may look like a dull silver, yet it often has a slight warm hue that gives it an inviting, peaceful presence. Pewter combines easily with several contemporary colors, including white and black, to create calming environments and stylish, lasting designs. This timeless hue also compliments bright colors like blue, green and yellow. Here are some color suggestions when working with pewter:
Neutrals:
-White
-Gray
-Beige
-Ivory
Bolds:
-Aqua Blue
-Azure Blue
-Cotton Candy Pink
-Mustard Yellow
-Lime Green
Frequently Asked Questions
Pewter is one of the oldest alloys known to man and it has been used in everything from jewelry to housewares. It has a classic look that never goes out of style, but finding the right colors to go with it can be difficult. Here are some frequently asked questions about pewter and what colors work best with it:
Q: What colors match best with pewter?
A: Pewter works well with both warm and cool colors. Cool tones such as blues, greens, purples or grays can provide a subtle contrast or balance for pewter pieces. Warmer shades like oranges, yellows, golden hues or reds can also make a beautiful combination.
Q: What is a simple way to add color to my pewter pieces?
A: The most straightforward way to add color is through complementary fabrics; throw pillows, rugs or curtains are all easy ways to compliment your existing pieces. You can also use accent décor such as wall art, kitchenware and lighting fixtures for an eye-catching display.
Q: Will glossy paint make my pewter too shiny?
A: Not necessarily – high gloss paint actually adds more subtle contrast when used properly. Semi-gloss paint tends to bring out more warmth in lighter toned pieces while still retaining a semi-gloss finish on darker toned items.
