Here is my new sign. I made it with cedar surround and African mahogany field, with cast iron letters. My old sign got clobbered by a falling branch, it was 35 years old and had a great patina. I had made the original with a cypress surround and a cedar field, and stamped aluminum letters.
There is definitely an art to bringing different elements together. Wood and metal is clutch, especially with age. Can we see your new sign again in 30 years?