I don't like shiny things myself either. They look tacky. If I had to have a metal fence/ing I'd go with black wrought iron --maybe a muted fleur de lis motif

I don't like shiny things myself either. They look tacky. If I had to have a metal fence/ing I'd go with black wrought iron --maybe a muted fleur de lis motif. If you must use stainless steel, it has to be nice simple lines coupled with cement slab or granite and no tubes.