Discover the timeless appeal of unlacquered brass tapware
As one of the most frequently used fittings in the home, and the backbone of any well-designed kitchen or bathroom, brassware must balance beauty, durability and performance. Whilst the appeal of classic chrome and noble nickel will always endure, brass finishes offer a warm, timeless elegance that gracefully evolve over time. Read on to learn more about Perrin & Rowe's unlacquered brass finishes, including helpful tips for cleaning and caring for your brassware, and what to expect as your tap ages in situ.
What is an unlacquered brass finish?
In simple terms, an unlacquered brass finish is an untreated brass finish, with no protective coating. We describe these finishes as 'living', and they will develop their own unique patina over time as the brass reacts with the environment. Over time, and this could be days, weeks or months, the beauty of the natural material is slowly revealed.
Adding character, texture and warmth, Perrin & Rowe offers three luxurious brass finishes across our kitchen and bathroom collections; Aged Brass, Polished Brass and Satin Brass.
Perrin & Rowe Mini Instant Hot Tap in Polished Brass as seen in Kate Halfpenny's kitchen. Photography: Issy CrokerPerrin & Rowe offer three unlacquered brass finishes; each one is unique, but all are united in their beauty.
Aged Brass
Our unlacquered Aged Brass kitchen taps will patina a little quicker than other Perrin & Rowe brass finishes, and are ideal for those who want an aged or 'vintage' look that feels unique. This finish is available on kitchen fittings only.
Satin Brass
Satin Brass is also a raw and unlacquered finish. It has been brushed by hand, so it has a matte appearance, and is slightly lighter than the Aged Brass finish.
Polished Brass
A hand-polished finish, unlacquered Polished Brass taps offer a brighter finish compared with the Aged Brass and Satin Brass finishes.
What is a living finish, and what is a patina?
A living finish will gracefully evolve and change over time. Unlacquered brass finishes react to their environment and touch, so through regular handling or exposure to water or humidity, certain areas may develop what is known as a patina. This is very much to be expected, and may include spots and marks, or some areas may lighten or darken. Watermarks will appear almost immediately, and these will mature into a unique, dappled finish.
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The result is a tactile and distinctive look that suits both classic and contemporary aesthetics, and embracing this natural change in finish can reduce the need for extensive maintenance.
Perrin & Rowe Armstrong Mixer with Pull Down Rinse in Aged Brass. Photographer: Jacob MilliganTo help highlight the journey of how an unlacquered brass tap will patina and age, we've pulled together a selection of images of kitchen taps (all in an Aged Brass finish) in various stages of the ageing process.
These taps have all been installed for a minimum of three months.
Is unlacquered brass the right choice for my kitchen?
Unlacquered brass taps are a beautiful choice for the kitchen, and brass is fast becoming the finish of choice for discerning interior designers. Whilst chrome is commonly the default option for kitchen tapware, unlacquered brass adds warmth and a luxurious appeal that many homeowners seek.
As Perrin & Rowe taps develop a unique patina, your tap will only grow in character as the years pass. All of our kitchen taps are available in three unlacquered brass finishes; Aged Brass, Polished Brass and Satin Brass.Â
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If you are looking for a warm, beautiful finish that won't patina, look instead to Gold or English Bronze.Â
Perrin & Rowe Ionian Mixer and Rinse and Mini Instant Hot Tap in Aged Brass. Design: Laura Butler-Madden. Photography: Patrick Butler-MaddenCan I match my taps to accessories?
Matching kitchen taps with other hardware in the home, including cupboard handles, helps to create a cohesive, polished design. In most cases the only way to get a perfect match is to choose handles from the same manufacturer as your taps.
Meticulously crafted at the Perrin & Rowe foundry in Wolverhampton (where all Perrin & Rowe brassware is made) and using the highest quality brass, our furniture handle collection is available in five distinctive styles and the same eight finishes as Perrin & Rowe brassware, including unlacquered Aged, Polished and Satin Brass.
Perrin & Rowe Contour Handles in Aged Brass. Design: Cooks & Company Is unlacquered brass the right choice for a bathroom?
Increasingly the finish of choice for kitchens, brass finishes are now sought after for bathrooms too. Perhaps inspired by boutique hotel bathrooms, interior designers and homeowners are incorporating brass into their own bathrooms.
Bathrooms can be humid, damp environments, which is something to consider when choosing unlacquered brass taps. As unlacquered brass reacts to environmental factors, in a bathroom this ageing process can be accelerated. As such, we offer Polished Brass and Satin Brass in across our five bathroom collections, alongside our standard finishes of Chrome, Pewter, Nickel, Gold and English Bronze.
Perrin & Rowe Traditional Freestanding Bath-Shower Mixer in Satin Brass How do I clean unlacquered brass taps?
To keep brassware looking its best, dry with a soft cloth after each use. Clean regularly using warm water or a mild pH neutral soap, then polish with a clean, lint-free cloth. A damp microfibre cloth is ideal for gentle, scratch-free cleaning.
Any residue left by products such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel can cause blemishes, so always rinse these off the tap with clean water immediately after use. Avoid contact with bleach or harsh household cleaners and immediately rinse and dry any accidental splashes. When cleaning surrounding surfaces, cover your fittings to protect the finish.
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To remove limescale, apply a 50/50 solution of lemon juice and water using cotton wool. Leave for up to one hour, rinse thoroughly and dry. Repeat if necessary, ensuring the surface is rinsed between treatments.
Perrin & Rowe Armstrong Wall-Mounted Single-Lever Basin Mixer in Satin BrassPerrin & Rowe’s reputation is built on British design, engineering and uncompromising quality. Shunning mass production, Perrin & Rowe kitchen and bathroom brassware is created in small batches at its own factories in Britain, ensuring a flawless finish, reliable performance and longevity. Designed to be straightforward to maintain, Perrin & Rowe stocks spare parts for almost every tap it has ever made.
Perrin & Rowe Armstrong Mixer with Pull Down Rinse and Mini Instant Hot Water and Cold Filtration Tap in Aged Brass. Design: Laura Butler-Madden. Photography: Patrick Butler-MaddenAll Perrin & Rowe brassware is made with the highest quality brass, poured by hand at 1700° Fahrenheit into moulds. After machining and soldering by hand, specialist polishers develop the deep, lustrous finish. Polishing may sound simple, but it requires exceptional skill - a large tap can take up to an hour.
Perrin & Rowe's team of polishers have a minimum of 10 years’ experience and have learnt how to achieve the best finish on hundreds of different products. Every single tap is pressure-tested with water before it receives a final polish and is boxed for despatch.
Common questions about unlacquered brass
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