jewel, I think it might be the lighting, because our Mannered Gold "in real life" appears a bit darker and richer than the Blonde, but still complementary to the Blonde. The photographer who took these shots was taking pics for a homebuilder's competition and was using all kinds of lenses and things, so color might appear a bit off, or "pea colored." That being said, I initially purchased a sample can of Mannered Gold to try in the front guest bedroom and did not like it all. However, love it in the bathrooms and foyer.

I'm planning on doing this in the next few months. Have had the sink picked out for a couple of years! Wanted to put two faucets in the wall, but husband is adamantly against it. So I guess I will make do with them mounted in the countertop. I see some nice ones online. The sink is about 30" wide, and has no faucet holes. Cabinet is 54", and there is no room for anything larger. I think we can do with about a foot of counter space each on either side. Better than one small sink/faucet. Frankly, I think it will be a huge improvement, even for resale. Even undermount oval sinks would take up about 20" each, leaving only 14" for the space between, and the spaces on either side. I think that would look ridiculous. :)

At the high end, cost is for style and function. Check your local code before purchasing toilets and faucets; e.g., California has restrictions on water flow (GPM) and flush rate due to water conservation, which narrows the choices. I have recommendations for quality faucets. I chose Samuel Heath in my master bathroom. Plumber complained about my purchasing fixtures from "across the pond," but there was no problem with deliveries. For the guest bathroom, I chose Kallista (high-end of Kohler), made in U.S., but had considered Fantini (also from "across the pond"). Rohl offers a range of faucets by various manufacturers; Rohl Perrin is on the high-end. For my hallway bathroom, I'm considering Dornbract, Graff, California Faucets, MGS, and Hansgrohe. There are many other quality faucets that may not meet CA requirements, such as Newform, Italbrass, Rubinet, Watermark, and Barber Wilson In general, for high quality, avoid products from "across the other pond."

I’m considering that finish also. If you wipe daily with water, it will not damage the finish. If i slip from my water only routine, I might add some dish soap to my cleaning cloth to clean any accumulation, then resume water only routine. It would not be as easy if you have hard water but I have no recommendations as I solved that problem with a water softener. Right now I have the old time polished brass and they look brand new with water only routine. Handles do have scratches from daily use but you’d have to look closely to notice.