3 Years of Age on our Unlaquered Brass Hardware
THE FARMHOUSE
The unlaquered brass hardware in our Farmhouse kitchen is just over 3 years old now and I wanted to share an update on how it’s aging. Unlaquered brass is a classic metal that's raw or unfinished (also called a living finish) that patinas and wears-in over time. It gets darker and richer and in my opinion, better and better with every year that passes. Have a look…
unlaquered brass cup pulls (4”), unlaquered brass cabinet latch (small), dishwasher pull (12”) rug, kitchen sources, jeans
Beautiful hardware, right?! It's timeless and full of charm. But that tarnish that you see on our solid brass drawer pulls and latches isn’t manufactured or pre-antiqued. It's simply naturally aged brass hardware. But let me backup and explain what exactly unlaquered brass is…
What is unlaquered brass?
Unlacquered brass finish is an old-world finish that has timeless appeal. It's gained popularity again in the home decor and interior design worlds over the past few years - what's old is new again, always - and it's the perfect choice for kitchens and pantry cabinets (in my unbiased opinion ;). But what exactly is it?
Unlaquered brass is brass that has no protective coating or lacquer. Over time the brass will darken and get an aged patina. This living finish may not appeal to everyone, but similar to honed marble, it’s great for folks who like to watch things patina and age gracefully over time. You might also see it called a raw brass finish.
how does unlaquered brass age?
Unlaquered brass starts out bright and shiny, like polished brass. But without a protective covering, the brass quickly starts to darken, wear, dull, stain, and patina. Over the years, unlaquered brass matures into a worn-in, old-world finish that’s unique and beautiful and character-rich. It’s vaguely reminiscent of a brushed-metal finish but more dulled and worn than brushed, and rather than a uniform finish, it has all these small intricacies that a machine just can’t recreate. I like to say that you earn your unlaquered brass finish rather than buy it. It shows fingerprints and wear marks that just can't be manufactured. There's really nothing like it.
Here’s a comparison of how our unlaquered brass hardware looked newly installed, at the 1-year mark, and again at the 3-year mark.
It just keeps getting better and better. And I can’t wait to see what another couple of years will do.
maintenance
Unlaquered brass is relatively low-maintenance if left alone to age. We just wash it with a soft cloth and occasionally surface spray if there’s something stubborn on it. But for anyone eager to age the brass quickly or return it to it’s original shine, there are ways to do that. Read on…
I’ve shared this info before, but here are a few unlaquered brass basics for anyone curious about it…
can you pre-age unlacquered brass hardware?
Yes! If you like the patina of unlacquered brass hardware, you can get it on day one using a brass ager like this one. I’ve never done this myself but heard good things (definitely recommend you read up on it first).
can you unlacquer existing brass hardware?
You can! At least everything I’ve read online says you can. Check out this post and this one if you’d like to give it a try. And please, let me know how it goes!
can you return unlacquered brass to it’s original condition?
If the patina isn’t to your liking, you can always use brass polish like Brasso to return the hardware to it’s original shiny state. Of course you’ll have to keep polishing it to maintain the shiny finish.
unlaquered brass hardware roundup
Unlacquered brass cabinet hardware is somewhat difficult to find, with only a few retailers offering options, like Rejuvenation. Here are some of my favorite unlaquered brass pulls, knobs, and latches…
Watching our unlaquered brass hardware develop a rich patina has been such a joy. This might be overly-sentimental, but I swear it reflects the life we’ve lived in this space. The wear spot on the dishwasher pull where our son yanks it open to unload the plates and bowls after school. The drip stains on the pull below the pantry sink where muddy/slimmey/doughey hands wash up. The dull muted color on the pulls we use most. It’s the patina of life. Like laugh lines on our faces and wine-glass etching on our honed marble, you can see us in this hardware and there’s something really beautiful about that.
