StarCraft Custom Builders has researched this exhaustively and often shares this info here, none of which, I’m sorry to say, will comfort you:

http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/sources.faucets2.htm

I don't recommend Newport Brass. Installed faucet and accessories in 2 bathrooms around 4 years ago. The set screws on all of them come loose regularly. I actually keep a hex key at my desk and go around to tighten them all up about once a month. Never had another brand do this. Yeah, they look pretty, when they aren't falling off the wall or the handle is coming loose!

how bout Kohler? try their gold. they have a very nice warranty on their finishes. I actually used it one of their chrome fixtures. shower head started to peel. sent a picture and they sent me a brand new replacement. (just make sure to register your products)

For which rooms? All of all kitchen and baths? I love the look of Newport Brass. But honestly? You can add burnished brass in accents. Lighting, cabinet hardware, bath hardware, even door hinges and knobs.. Personally? A stainless faucet in the kitchen, and Chrome in baths is darn timeless. Also widely available in high quality/vast style options at lower pricing. If you love it, limit it to a couple areas, unless you foresee the switch being easy up the road. : )

Thank you Jan. Yes, I hear you, we're pretty set on the look. I love how unlacquered brass lives and distresses over time. its so classic + elevated to me. Ages with home. Especially for kitchen and master bath. I'm also someone who loves the imperfections of marble. As an FYI, we are doing black in the kids bathroom + utility. Do you have experience with Newport Brass? Good or bad? if not Newport, any other brands you suggest? Brizo seems to get decent reviews but very modern. The search continues, thank you so much for your input!

elevated look = elevated price :)

"The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive."

Chispa - I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. Bummer. Thank you for advising. Is this happening with different models of Newport Brass? or the same model throughout? Still not settled but the search continues.

I'm surprised that Moen is over budget as Moen and Delta are both considered to be the least expensive line for acceptable quality fixtures.

Brizo is the upscale Delta brand and is an excellent choice in terms of quality.

If you are installing shower/bath fixtures, I personally would not compromise in terms of quality because it is a bitch to replace those. Also remember that to a great extent you are going to be married to whatever brand you choose because the valves need to be compatible with the rough installed.

If you need to cut corners somewhere I would be more likely to do so in terms of faucets for sinks because those are very easy to replace down the road. Not that I am recommending deliberately getting something of low quality but it is a less difficult change in the future. People change their sink faucets relatively frequently but generally don't change their tub/shower fixtures unless it is absolutely necessary.

Unlacquered brass ends up looking just plain dirty over a very short period of time. I learned this the hard way with my brass kitchen cabinet pulls. I had my yard man take them all off and polish them last winter - turned dark/dirty again within weeks. This year, we'll remover them, they'll go to my local brass polisher and be polished and lacquered.

I have Signature Hardware brass faucets in the tub and basin in my daughter's old bathroom. They've been there now for about 7 years and still look great. Ferguson's now owns Signature - don't know if this has caused changes or not.

Unlacquered brass luxury has a price. :) It's not going to be a style or finish in the likes of Moen or anywhere else. You want the look of Waterworks.........on a Delta budget? Not going to happen.Truth is harsh, I agree. You can also look at California Faucets. Here's the finish list

• Antique Brass Flat
• Antique Copper Flat
• Antique Nickel Flat
• Bella Terra Bronze
• Black
• Black Nickel | PVD
• Burnished Brass | LF
• Burnished Nickel | LF
• Carbon | PVD
• French Gold | PVD
• Graphite | PVD

• Lifetime Polished Gold | PVD
• Lifetime Satin Gold | PVD
• Matte Black
• Matte White
• Mocha Bronze | PVD
• Oil Rubbed Bronze | LF
• Polished Brass | PVD
• Polished Brass Uncoated | LF
• Polished Chrome
• Polished Nickel | PVD
• Rustico Bronze | LF

• Satin Brass | PVD
• Satin Bronze | PVD
• Satin Chrome
• Satin Nickel
• Ultra Stainless Steel | PVD
• White

Thank you Jan. Yep, I've scoured California Faucets as well. At this point there is really no stone unturned. Bucking up, we'd added to initial budget to cover brass but clearly not enough. I've realized, fact of the matter is if you can't invest in Waterworks, Kallista, or any of the boutique brands, the quality will be relatively questionable in terms of unlacquered brass. But the look is there. Understood some people are going satin brass (looks cleaner + longer). I'm intrigued. Brizo we could do but wouldn't be unlacquered, but rather gold. Read further into some horror stories about Newport quality today. Considering Rohl...any insight? Any cases for Newport Brass quality? Agh!

You could check out Phylrich as they have several brass finishes.

I just remodeled and used their bathroom fixtures. They are a California company and when I researched were considered to be high quality.

At some point you have to choose. I'd get Rohl in the kitchen and something else i the master bath, and move on. You want what you want? You just have to pay for it. You haven't shown us the styling you're after. ........in either space : )

The "quality " issue as one goes up the food chain, is also one of "customization", of production volume. I will guarantee Moen, who can ship overnight parts for virtually any faucet, makes many more stainless kitchen faucets than does Rohl in unlacquered brass, Hence..........KACHING.

Thanks all. Appreciate the info. Jan, FYI I tried uploading pics of desires styles on the first list and didn’t take. My apologies if I’m not being clear enough for you. I appreciate your guidance.

Helen - thank you so much for the phylrich suggestion! Lovely balance between contemporary and modern, well priced and as long as quality stands up, could be a winner! So appreciative.

Because I ordered Phylrich through my designer, the actual price I wound up paying was less than the retail stated even with her markup.

Since they are local and relatively small, I was able to customize my order as my choice had onyx and I wanted a different color. They also customized my finish as I wanted more copper highlights in my oil rubbed bronze finish.

i was able to check out the finishes at the showroom I visited which was helpful.

I had a Rohl faucet in my last house, loved it! Never had a problem, but it was chrome, not brass.
Installing a Newport Brass fixture in this house next week. It is not unlaquered brass finish, I honestly can't remember the name of the finish.

Lindsey, my NB faucets and accessories are from their Metropole collection, purchased 4 years ago. One set in chrome and the other in satin brass.

Interesting article from AD. You can buy cheap, solid brass chrome-plated faucets and have the plating removed. May end up being cheaper. I just went with buying the unlaquerd brass, but I did consider this. Look at the Starcraft list to determine which brands are solid brass and highly rated. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/antique-brass-faucet-by-stripping?epik=dj0yJnU9VE50R3BhakY3dmJPZFJPc19uX2lEUklDMmRLSHFONGgmcD0wJm49dDEzQTlZMDBCb0tMdnM4d09MejhTdyZ0PUFBQUFBR1B6X0VV

@katiedearing Not sure of what your question is. I didn't get brass for my Phylrich fixtures. I did have them customize the fixtures for my guest bathroom because I wanted blush onyx in a style that didn't come with that option - my fixtures are a combination of rubbed oil and onyx (or marble).

I did have vintage sconces replated in my guest bathroom because they were a silver color so if you find the perfect light but the finish isn't what you want, replating is an option.

Thanks. You're right in that I equates Phylrich with my satin brass Phylrich and forgot to ask what finish you got. Good tip about the replaying. Brass/gold is so hard to match!