
The rulebook of interior design clearly states that you are NOT allowed to buy an entire set of matching furniture, and this rule also applies to metal finishes.Īged brass pulls | Faucet | Sconces | Vanity mirror | Vanity

I’m happy to report that this simply isn’t true. It was probably the same people that came up with shiny fake brass. Someone started a rumor a long time ago that mixing metals is tacky. Pendants | Counter stools | Sconces | Latches | Drawer Pulls | Round knobs What metal can you mix with brass? I won’t get into an economics lesson, but I think you get the idea. Due to its popularity and association with luxury, unlacquered brass is ever-increasing in price – just like everything else.Īs I’ve mentioned before, it’s not new, but more and more people are discovering its appeal which means there is more of a demand. It is a desirable material to incorporate into designs that include natural elements like marble countertops. Unlacquered brass Aged brass (protected finish) Why is it more expensive than other hardware?įaucet and hardware makers boast about the tarnishing of their raw brass products and high-end interior designers work it even into their most modern kitchen and bath creations. It still has the same beautiful gold color but a matte protective coating was applied to give it a beautiful vintage look. If you are not a fan of having cabinet hardware with varying stages of patina in the same room, opt for something like aged brass. The constant and direct contact with water will speed things along. Just remember that it will probably be the first and fastest thing to tarnish. Will your unlacquered brass kitchen faucet turn green? Well, it depends on the ratio of material that makes up your specific piece. In my house, it’s the cabinet under the sink and the pantry cabinets – I’m sure you can relate! Rarely used – nice and shiny! Starting to see changes – especially on the right side Heavily used – darker and dull We all tend to have cabinets that we reach for more frequently than others.

Unlacquered hardware in a kitchen is stunning, but you should expect some unevenness in the process. The more you use it, the faster it will patina. See, all the cool kids are doing it! The process of patinaĮven though you’ll start to see some changes almost immediately, it may take a year or two for the living finish of unlacquered brass to reach its dull and dark potential. Just peek into any famous designer’s portfolio and you’ll see brass. It’s a classic design element that adds warmth to any space and gives it a high-end feel. Don’t let this stand in your way of using real, raw brass in your home. “Coastal Grandma” made its way into the fashion world, but the yellow shiny glam look of “80’s Grandma” is the stuff design nightmares are made of. It all starts out with the same bright beautiful gold color making it easy for you to mix and match pieces in your designs. The only type of brass that will be the same no matter where you find it is unlacquered brass. Learn the easiest way to hang drapes if interested in learning more about that.
BRASS PULLS AND KNOBS TRIAL
I had an old brass drape rod but the manufacturer didn’t sell matching rings…grrr! It took some trial and error to find what I was looking for. I learned this lesson when trying to hang my drapes. Do they look nice, sure! The problem is they are usually specific to manufacturers making it hard to find matches. We don’t know their long-term durability and they certainly don’t have the longevity that brass does. Many retailers offer finishes like honey or champagne bronze as a “toned-down” alternative for those unsure of brass. If brass is lacquered, it will be protected and no longer susceptible to the effects of moisture or oxygen. It’s what gives unlacquered brass hardware that beautiful patina you see and puts it into the living finish category. This happens when brass comes into contact with oxygen, water, and even the oils in your skin. Without anything to protect it, the once shiny finish will become dull and darker over time. Unlacquered brass is considered raw brass because it doesn’t have any protective coating (lacquer). Who would do such a thing?ĭoor Latches | Drawer Pulls | Round knobs

That wasn’t actually brass but part of an unfortunate design trend where metal was painted to mimic brass without the price tag. Even though unlacquered brass starts off with a bright finish, there is no mistaking it for that shiny gold lamp at Grandma’s house.

BRASS PULLS AND KNOBS HOW TO
How to restore the original unlacquered brass finishīefore I get into the difference in finishes, brass is a metal alloy made of copper and zinc with an unmistakable classic golden hue.Why is it more expensive than other hardware?.
