Thanks for that, looks nice! Do you do any type of maintenance?

No, Laura, I have never done a thing to this. It was on the wall between the garage and the house, so that grimy look near the top of the rail part may be authentic grease or dirt. I figure if I try to clean it, it will get shiny in that area, so I have left it alone, instead. There is no raised feel to it.

I have unlacquered brass pulls in my kitchen, and they have seriously darkened over the past 2 1/2 years. I now regret I did not just have them lacquered before installing them - less costly than now having to have them polished first. I like my metals shiny, be they silver, brass, or copper.

We had an unlaquered brass tap in a powder room in our previous home and had no problems. It did develop some small “verdigris” which I actually loved. I would think vs pulls it would be easier to polish but don’t know, never polished ours, only had it for about seven years before moving. After saying that, there are some that are better quality than others maybe so worth making sure it’s a well made one which it should be giving that it’s solid brass! :)

I’d also wonder about your local water supply - is it hard/well/softened? That variability might affect how drips and drops on it patina over time

I’ve had it in master bath for over eighteen years. I never polish them. They have a patina look for sure but I like it. Mine have never gotten any green spots. but they are solid brass not just coated. Have no idea if that matters. They look mellow aged gold

Houzz:

"-------- asked for brass unlacquered so it would remain dull and acquire an interesting patina, rather than remain shiny."

Cabin in the woods in Ireland · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/photos/cabin-in-the-woods-in-ireland-scandinavian-bathroom-london-phvw-vp~47317240

I think unlaquered brass in bathrooms is lovely because of the patina, which WILL develop over time, and faster than in drier parts of your house. If you'd like to keep it from getting too dark, polish periodically.

I'm not a fan of lacquered brass because it's made to look so shiny and gold (and stuck that way) that it starts to feel fake.

Thanks everyone for your response. This will be for the sinks, I would be happy with some other type of brass finish, but can't find it in the faucet shape/low profile I want. The shower fixtures are "aged" brass, they are not particularly bright, I'm OK with the difference in their appearance, as long as the unlacquered doesn't get too green. Sounds like elbow grease now and again will help. Good point, kats737, about the water, it's well water. . . everdebz, I love that shower, and remember that picture well. The unlacquered brass I saw in a showroom had some splotchy oxidation on it, but was beautiful. It was also a Waterworks shower assembly, lol, it had better be beautiful! The sink faucets are Kallista, the shower assembly is Rejuvanation (WaterMark). The faucet isn't quite this shiny, but the shower piece (the thermocontrol, the rest looks pinkish on my monitor) is pretty representative. I assume that color will be fairly stable as it is lacquered. I haven't bought the faucet yet (wanted to hear feedback), I own the shower assembly.

Check out Newport brass. They have beautiful finishes.

Did you end up getting the unlaquered brass faucet? May I ask how it’s doing and if you have pics? I’m considering unlaquered for a basement 1/2 bath but concerned with 4 boys that it will get a lot of water marks

I’m curious too - I like the darker patina, but not splotchy hard water marks. I’m debating this for our bathroom as well.

Thanks jaime and elizabeth for your responses. We bought the fixtures from Rejuvenation (they are Watermark), the bottom 2 pictures above ^^^^. They are lacquered, but are not shiny and a bit darker than untreated brass, "aged brass". They're beautiful, but unfortunately I can't help you with your questions in regards to acquired patina.