I would say the burnished antique would be the most compatible. However, you can order a set of finish samples from Rejuvenation and if you order $200 worth of items within ninety days it is subtracted from the order.

The full finish sample is $40, any three for $8 (this may not be refundable)...I think it would be well worth it if you are unsure. They would also be able to tell you about the unlacquered option in all probability.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finish samples

LS,

I've been trying to find hardware and pendants to match my existing antique brass fixtures. I now have a whole box of hardware samples. The Rejuvenation burnished antique is pretty close to antique brass. All of the ORB that I've seen is too dark.

I have real antique brass in the rest of the 1880 house (polished no more often than the room is painted - maybe). For the new kitchen, I learned to look at the finish, not the name of the finish. The visually dominant light fixture is a 5 light real antique brass. For cabinet hardware I used Top Knobs German Bronze finish which matched the light fixture well. For switch plates and doorknob I used Baldwin (either antique brass or satin brass and black). I viewed faucets as more functional - in line with stainless appliances and sinks - and I got satin stainless faucets . It works together.

Thank you for these replies!

palimpsest-I was also thinking tone wise that the burnished antique might be best as well. I'm in Portland so am fortunate to see actual fixtures at the store. My concern is there's something that looks a bit more... artificial? modern? to me sometimes in that finish? Was wondering if maybe it would look more authentic to age some unlacquered brass or just go for the ORB?

warmfridge, I'm sure it's frustrating trying to find the perfect match and I can already see growing a little collection myself looking for "best!" Thank you for another vote for the burnished antique. I did wonder if ORB would just look black when placed in close proximity throughout the kitchen.

judeny, I will check into the hardware options you mentioned, thank you! I'm esp. interested in the fact you still used satin stainless faucets. That might be a very good compromise. Perhaps have the ceiling fixtures and hardware on the kitchen cabinets and adjacent built in cabinetry in the aged brass and stick with stainless faucets to tie in the stainless appliances...? Would you have any photos to share?

I was googling aging process of brass (apparently you can make it happen quick) and found some methods-e.g. enclose your (solid brass, unlacquered) item raised up in a sealed container with ammonia at the bottom and presto, instant aging. I'm not sure how you seal that afterward to keep it the tone you want. And won't work for me given the sheer quantity of hardware I need. But in case anyone else just has a piece or two that they're trying to age or "coordinate." Also found link for this product-no experience here obviously-but if it helps someone else.

Here is a link that might be useful: Darkening solution for brass

That is one HOT faucet!

Hi littlesmokie,

I was going to buy some unlaquered brass pulls from a local antique shop and just be patient and wait for them to darken until I found these little pretties, from all places, Amerock. (Partially driven by the problem that I needed matching fridge pulls.) They are a burnished brass and I couldn't be happier about the finish, look and weight of them in our 120-yr old house. My great big faucet is Polished Nickel (Kohler Vinnata, thanks to GW)and plenty of other silvery shiny stuff on the range, sink and DW. It all works great!!! Don't worry about combining finishes--get what you love. Our original door hardware is all a burnished brass color after I painstakingly boiled all the years of paint off and I love how it all works together. MIX AWAY! (o:

Oops tried to do this before--not very good at posting pics!! These are Amerock "Revitalize" in finish "Gilded Bronze". I really did have my heart set on unlaquered brass but I have to say, I love that these are always fingerprint-free and yet still have a vintage look. Good luck with your decisions!

Love the faucet! Check out Restoration Hardware's antique brass to see if it blends with the faucet. I have their antique brass knobs on my cabinets and like them;the antique brass is a dark brass finish and the knobs are heavy and beautifully finished. I am particularly delighted with the RH Ephraim 12" pulls that I used on our Subzero----they were less than $20 each, which is an exceptional bargain for refrigerator pulls.