Totally agree on brushed nickel—it's been my go-to recommendation for years precisely because of that. Matte black fixtures look stunning in photos, but in practice, they're a bit of a nightmare. I've seen clients regret their choice after just a few weeks of daily use. Another finish worth mentioning is polished chrome; yes, it shows water spots, but it's incredibly easy to clean and maintain. Sometimes practicality beats trendiness, especially in high-traffic areas like bathrooms.
Brushed nickel really is a solid choice for most situations. I've specified it countless times in client projects, and the feedback has consistently been positive—especially regarding ease of maintenance and durability. Matte black, as mentioned, can be problematic; I've noticed that even minor scratches or chips become glaringly obvious on darker finishes, which clients don't always anticipate.
Polished chrome is another finish I find myself recommending more often lately. Despite the water spot issue, it's incredibly resilient against corrosion and tarnishing, making it ideal for environments with constant moisture exposure. Plus, chrome fixtures tend to have readily available matching accessories, which simplifies the overall design process.
One finish not yet mentioned here is satin brass. It's becoming increasingly popular, and while it does require more thoughtful coordination with other bathroom elements, it offers a warm aesthetic without the harshness or fingerprint issues of traditional polished brass. Of course, it might not suit every style or taste, but it's worth considering if you're looking for something distinctive yet practical.
Interesting points about satin brass—I recently had a client who insisted on it for their powder room remodel. At first, I was skeptical because coordinating it with their existing tile and cabinetry seemed tricky. But honestly, once we found the right complementary tones, it turned out beautifully. It added warmth without looking dated or overly flashy, and fingerprints weren't nearly as noticeable as I'd feared.
One thing I've been curious about lately is unlacquered brass. I've seen it popping up more frequently in design magazines and blogs. It develops a patina over time, which some clients love for the character it adds, but others might see as just plain tarnish. Has anyone here specified unlacquered brass fixtures in a project? I'm wondering how clients react to the maintenance and evolving appearance over time...
"It develops a patina over time, which some clients love for the character it adds, but others might see as just plain tarnish."
Funny you mention unlacquered brass—I just went through this exact debate myself. We ended up choosing unlacquered brass fixtures for our kitchen sink area because I loved the idea of something that ages naturally and gains character. But honestly, it's been a bit of a mixed bag. The patina is definitely charming, but it develops unevenly depending on how often certain areas get touched or splashed. I'm pretty detail-oriented, so the inconsistency drives me slightly nuts sometimes...
Maintenance-wise, it's not terrible, but you do have to be okay with occasional polishing if you want to control the look. My partner jokes that I've become a "fixture whisperer" because I'm always fussing over it. If your clients are particular about uniformity or low-maintenance finishes, unlacquered brass might not be their best friend. But if they're into that evolving, lived-in vibe, it can be really beautiful.
We went with unlacquered brass too, and I totally get what you're saying about the uneven patina. At first, I was pretty thrown off by how quickly certain spots darkened compared to others—especially around the handles and faucet neck. But after some trial and error, I've found a routine that helps even things out a bit.
About once every two weeks, I do a quick wipe-down with warm water and mild soap to remove fingerprints and water spots. Then, every month or so, I use a gentle brass polish (nothing too abrasive) just on the areas that look noticeably darker or uneven. The trick is to polish lightly and gradually blend it into the surrounding areas so it doesn't look overly shiny or artificial.
Honestly though, I've started embracing the imperfections more lately...it feels like the fixtures are telling our home's story in their own quirky way. Maybe give it some time before deciding if it's worth all the fuss?
