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Other Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Bronze, gold, polished nickel, brushed nickel, black...what to choose?

2 years ago

Our house is 3 levels. 2 levels have bronze metal finishes. The other level is brushed nickel.

I’m replacing the towel holder, etc in a half bathroom. It is on a floor that is all bronze. Do I stay with bronze? I’ve heard that bronze isn’t cool anymore. Is that true? If it is true, should I go with brushed nickel to match the remainder of the house?

I don’t think I can do gold. It looks pretty in pictures, but I don‘t think it is for me. I love black, but with our crazy hard water (even with a water softener), I think the faucets would like terrible.

I have also heard that polished nickel isn’t cool anymore. True?

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Comments (9)

Jen K (7b, 8a)
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The only person that's going to notice any of this is you. Oil rubbed bronze is cool. Brushed nickel is cool. Gold is cool.

You can mix and match finishes.

Have fun picking out what you like and not what other people think is cool. Among your friends you're already cool because you've been able to buy a home.
kbuescher thanked Jen K (7b, 8a)
acm
2 years ago
Especially in a powder room -- that's often a place to have a little personality, to experiment, to do something different. Don't be constrained by fixtures you can't even see from there!
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I selected ORB for my kitchen, and as it turned out I got a cheapy orb for the handles and they do not show ANY kind of wear at all. I have had them in place for about 2 years(or is it 3?( and I am still enjoying them. I should stress that we are not gentle people and we do not baby things in the house:)so that is saying that it is most durable. I like the warmth of the look. I agree that the hardware is relatively inexpensive to replace - but I also don't see them looking dated anytime too soon. Things do definitely go in cycles as we have all noted that brass is kind of coming back in. I wholeheartedly encourage you to get what you like, and you will really enjoy it.
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the faucets are perrin and rowe. no special "easy care" finish. just polished nickel. i use the towelettes once a month, otherwise just wipe them down. it's really no big deal unless you want it to be. faucets have been in use for over a year. we have well water -don't know if that makes a difference. i imagine the quality of the finish must vary depending on manufacturer, as i have a friend with a polished nickel faucet in her master bath that she is not happy with. i don't know what brand she used, but i have rohl (pn) faucets all over the house and they've been wonderful. in general i prefer "living" finishes. the coated finishes don't appeal to me at all as they look like they are encased in plastic. the finish on our oil robbed bronze doorknobs are changing depending on use. there's nothing i can do about it, and i would't want to.
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If you are looking for statement lighting, in Galilee lighting we make unique lighting made of hand blown glass in beautiful styles. We specialize in custom lighting and you can choose any canopy color. We invite you to visit our website to view our unique lighting collections. If you would like to receive our catalog by email and get more ideas, contact Sales@GalileeLighting.com or visit www.GalileeLighting.com We offer free design consultation, to design the perfect size of chandelier for your space. Call us at 305-807-8711
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@Kristin S, not sure but I can certainly ask. I really need a middle ground between the Polished Brass and Satin Nickel. The Polished Brass seems too gold for me and the satinnickel slightly too muted. Hard to tell but is the Top Bronze kind of in between? Going to go online and see the difference. At the end of the day, the pulls are so subtle so maybe I should stop belabouring on this point and I guess I could always just change them out after the fact (although my husband would kill me!!) ... LOL. Thanks!!
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Elena S
2 years ago
I agree with the previous posters. Just make all the fixtures on each floor match if you care. Go nuts in your powder room. We did a green bright green vanity with brass fixtures and wallpaper to tie it all together.
kbuescher
Original Author
2 years ago
You guys are correct. I am becoming paralyzed over immaterial details. This half bath is in my son’s bedroom. So hardly anyone is going to see it.
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Lawrence's English Garden
2 years ago
What is Function Best , as some Blacks & so Called Bronze are Actually Baked on Power Coats at Best and NOT a Black Chrome of True Bronze , so Dam Old Chrome & Satin Nickle Hold Up Super Long . . that said Life time Fixture like Moen's are Better . . as Keep Parts for Life Time

Literately a Life Time !
calidesign
2 years ago
I'd use brushed nicle or brushed chrome with hard water. Much easier to maintain.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO bathrooms attached to bedrooms should have the same color choices for both spaces and that is driven by the bedding
kbuescher
Original Author
2 years ago
Driven by the bedding...interesting. I change bedding occasionally, but rarely change hardware.

The hardware in the bedroom consists of bronze for 3 doors.
kariyava
2 years ago
Use what you like and what looks nice with what is already in the bathroom itself.

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