Why We Chose Unlacquered Brass in Our Kitchen
- Melani
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
When we started making decisions for the kitchen, we knew we didn’t want anything that felt too new. This house has lived a long life. It’s been touched, repaired, worn, and loved, and as much as we wanted the kitchen to function beautifully, we also wanted it to feel like it belonged here... like it had earned it's place.
That’s what drew us to unlacquered brass.
For us, it wasn’t about trends or finish. It was about time. Unlacquered brass is honest. It doesn’t try to stay perfect. It changes with use, with touch, with seasons. It darkens, softens, and develops a patina that reflects how a space is actually lived in. For a kitchen that would be used daily by us, by our boys, and by friends... the brass felt right.
We chose unlacquered brass for nearly everything: hardware, faucet, and fixtures. Not because it would look pristine forever... but because it wouldn’t.
The Pros
It ages with the house - Instead of standing out as “new,” unlacquered brass settles in. Over time, it starts to feel like it’s always been there.
It tells a story - Fingerprints show. Water marks happen. High-touch areas wear faster, and instead of seeing it as damage, we see it as memory.
It adds warmth - In a kitchen full of hard surfaces, brass brings softness. It reflects light gently, especially in the mornings and evenings.
It doesn’t feel precious - There’s freedom in choosing a material that isn’t meant to stay perfect. We don’t worry about every mark... we let it live.
The Cons (because there are some...)
It can change quickly - If you want consistency, unlacquered brass may frustrate you. It develops unevenly, especially at first. Within a matter of days, our new faucet had much more patina on one side than the other.
It shows use - This is a feature for us, but it’s not for everyone. If you prefer things to look untouched, this finish isn’t forgiving. Yes you can polish it back, but doing so defeats the purpose. The beauty is in letting it be.
For us, the choice came down to this - we weren’t designing a kitchen to look perfect at all times. We were designing one to live in for decades. We wanted fixtures that would evolve alongside the house and our family and we knew brass would darken where our hands reach most, soften where water splashes daily, and quietly reflect the rhythm of our life here.
Unlacquered brass felt like a small way to honor the past while making space for the future,
and in a home this old, that felt like the right balance.
Some of the pieces we love, below:
Sink -
Faucet from Brassna Victorian Bridge Faucet
Undermount Sink from Sinkology (Austen 33")
Cabinet Hardware -
Oval Knob with Backplate (4" plate) from Rejuvenation
Massey Pulls (8" & 12") from Rejuvenation
Massey Bin Pull (4") from Rejuvenation
Cabinetry is Cherry wood with a brown sugar stain from Kraftmaid & countertops are Taj Mahal Quartzite both ordered through Home Depot.
Ive always loved the look of unlaquered brass and it looks so beautiful in your space!