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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Best Brass Kitchen Hardware

3 years ago

I'm new to the brass kitchen hardware trend and I'm getting it for my new kitchen. What's the "best" brand out there? I've heard some need a lot of daily/weekly maintenance and polishing...I'm not interested in doing that! What do I look for in purchasing the hardware to avoid that? Thanks!

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PRO

JAN MOYER

3 years ago

Emtek, Top Knobs are excellent.

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Comments (6)

3marshview
Original Author
3 years ago
I see those names a lot! What should I look for in the description for easy maintenance and a long wearing finish and color. I see so many mixed reviews. A friend has solid brass with no protection of finish and she feels like she's in the Navy with the job of buffing and polishing the brass. :-)
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I'm doing brass pendants with chrome knobs and pulls. I love the current gold trend with the white kitchens and how it warms it up, but I know in my hearts of hearts I've always been a silver person so I'm putting the trend in something that will be easier to swap out in the future. If you love the brass hardware definitely go for it, but maybe get it all in a standard size so you can swap it out years from now if you tire of it and haven't moved.
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Suzanne: I didn't know that there existed brass restoration services! Thanks for the tip! I just Googled and found one in my city. How often do you find you have to do this? The local shop has a one year guarantee on their finish. If this has to happen annually or even every 5 years, that would be way too much for me to manage. My cabinet maker uses Richelieu for the hardware. It's included in the price of the cabinets. I'll do some research on their brass finish. That "ever brass" finish sounds mighty appealing... I might consider paying for the hardware myself and getting Baldwin pulls if it does indeed last forever! daisychain: You read my mind! That was going to be my next pondering. .. should I mix the metals or use the same? ;) Glad that it won't look so awful if I don't use brass for the faucet too. That piece would likely be very high maintenance. writersblock: Good point. Tarnishing doesn't happen evenly either. And, if I hire a service to restore the brass, then I don't have to worry about the hassle of stripping the lacquer. They'll do it for me! Lacquer is probably the way to go for me.
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Just placed an order for one of each of these (plus a couple more that looked good); will report back on what we decide to go with! Thanks very much for your help, Home Interiors with Ease! :)
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Our house is 'traditional'. I used polished brass hardware throughout, including kitchen pulls and knobs. They still look great 20 years on, as do the Baldwin Edinburgh lifetime brass door levers (interior and exterior). All floors are dark hardwood, including kitchen. Cabinets are cream; green granite counters.
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PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
3 years ago
Your best bet for a low-maintenance finish is polished chrome. Unlacquered brass and nickel are "living" finishes, which means they will oxidize and change color with the passage of time, usually they'll darken. Some companies offer a lacquered finish especially for brass, but that can also wear off. Or go darker to begin with--I've used both Restoration Hardware and Rejuvenation oil-rubbed bronze and they look exactly the same today as they did when they were installed years ago. Also they look more black than brown, if that is a concern.
3marshview thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
PRO
JAN MOYER
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The finishes are coated, You will not be pulling off hardware. Your friend has a living finish. Meant to do exactly that. Live and tarnish : )

Be less concerned with "trend". Nothing wrong with satin nickel, and any mfg will blend with stainless appliances and your sink, if those are present.

Just remember: Perfection is highly overrated.
3marshview thanked JAN MOYER
3marshview
Original Author
3 years ago
@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thanks! I like the lighter, a little more gold color. Getting a navy blue island and white upper and lower cabinets. I feel the darker brass gets a little lost with navy blue, and I'd like a little more "pop"....
megs1030
3 years ago
I have Top Knobs and Atlas (owned by Top Knobs) and have never had an issue. I don't know why any would need regular polishing, unless they are unlacquered and a living finish. Mine are not.

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