Lifestyle

Unlacquered Brass {Hardware} | Julie Blanner

March 18, 2023

Unlacquered Brass is polished, unfinished uncooked brass that darkens and develops patina because it ages. Immediately, we’re guiding you thru the ins and outs of selecting unlacquered brass {hardware} in your house.

Maintain studying to be taught extra about it together with the knobs, pulls, hinges and cupboard latches.

A cream kitchen with unlacquered brass hardware.

Unlacquered brass {hardware}. It’s basic, timeless, and but rather more tough to search out than I had ever dreamed after we have been transforming our kitchen.

Nevertheless, some issues are value trying to find. Uncooked brass has my coronary heart and was value each minute of the search. Is it regular to spend numerous hours trying to find simply the proper hinge?

A cream kitchen with unlacquered brass hardware on the cabinets.

Immediately, I’m sharing all of the unlacquered brass {hardware} we utilized in our cream kitchen renovation. I hope this solutions all of your questions and makes your individual search a bit of simpler!

Immediately, I hope you’ll be taught extra about unlacquered brass! I’ll reply a few of the mostly requested questions, and also you’ll discover all our unlacquered brass {hardware} sources right here, too.

Unlacquered brass hardware laid out on a marble countertop.

I like sharing concepts for enhancing your house!

We’ve renovated many houses over the last 20 years, and I’m at all times thrilled to move alongside the information we’ve gained alongside the best way. See the entire Earlier than and After tour of our St. Louis house right here, and our fashionable Desk Rock Lake Cottage as nicely.

Actually, we not too long ago up to date the lake kitchen to incorporate unlacquered brass {hardware} (proven under), and we’ll share the sources for these as nicely!

Unlacquered Brass {Hardware}

Uncooked Brass – Unlacquered brass is also referred to as uncooked brass or uncoated brass. Brass might be brushed, satin or polished, however unlacquered is at all times left with out a protecting coating. Due to this fact, it ages over time, creating a wonderful patina that provides character to new and previous houses alike.
Matte, Aged Look – I like the heat the matte end gives and luxuriate in watching it flip over time, as it’ll change all through its lifespan.
Dwelling End – Since it’s a residing end, no piece will look precisely the identical. The variation provides a bit of heat and curiosity in design. It could actually age erratically, changing into duller over time.

Suggestions

Questioning about mixing your stainless-steel home equipment with unlacquered brass {hardware}? You may completely retain your stainless and blend in brass. Blended metals are a wonderful look!
Frightened about placement? Don’t skip our Cupboard Knob Placement information!
In the event you don’t love the look of growing older and darkened spots, don’t select unlacquered brass. Select polished brass for a constantly brighter end that’s sealed for defense.
Unlacquered brass will age gracefully over time. Very like our Danby Marble counter tops, imperfections add a sure patina which might be unmatched in a “new” end.

Cream kitchen cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware.

Regularly Requested Questions

Will unlacquered brass corrode?

This steel won’t corrode, however oxidation will happen: that is the tarnishing and darkening of the steel over time. Nevertheless, it won’t corrode and it’ll not rust.

How lengthy does it take for brass to patina?

It turns into tarnished when uncovered to air, so naturally, it’ll age over time. You could be shocked at how shortly it’ll patina!
Different components contribute as nicely – The oils of your fingers, minerals in water and different components contribute. Weathered brass or vintage brass try and simulate pure patina of unlacquered brass, however they nonetheless have a protecting coating.

How do you shield unlacquered brass?

To maintain it shiny, clear commonly. Utilizing a delicate fabric and dish cleaning soap, wipe the floor gently. You can too polish it with brass polish and a delicate fabric, then rinse with water and dry.

Do you know?

The patina of your unlacquered brass can rely upon your house’s location and environment. The brass will tarnish inexperienced in case you are situated close to an ocean, the place humidity is larger and the air is salty.

Brown or grey patina can usually be indicative of a extra city setting. The water in your house (laborious vs delicate) also can change the patina over time.

Tips on how to Check if Brass is Lacquered

Dip in acetone or nail polish for 2 minutes. If clear movie begins to separate, it’s lacquered brass.

De-Lacquering Brass

Submerge brass items in acetone or stripper to reveal uncooked brass.
As soon as it has turn into gummy, rinse.
Repeat if wanted.

Suggestions for Cleansing + Sharpening Unlacquered Brass

Brass Polish – To shine, simply apply your favourite cleaner to floor. Utilizing a moist rag, apply strain to wipe clear. Rinse totally utilizing a clear fabric.
Cleaning soap + Water – Clear for sanitation functions, in fact. We simply use cleaning soap and water for that, however enable them to patina over time.
Observe – Utilizing abrasive cleaners on this end isn’t a good suggestion. And despite the fact that utilizing conventional brass cleaners can work fantastically, they’ll injury surrounding marble and stone, so use with warning.

Our {Hardware} 6+ 12 months Later

I’ve acquired a number of questions on how our {hardware} has aged and I’m glad to say, fantastically!

Properly, in fact that’s within the eye of the beholder. I do know it’s not for everybody, which is completely fantastic by me!

The under images are a yr and a half value of growing older, and once more, within the present state, which is over six years after set up.

unlacquered brass appliance pulls on a paneled refrigerator.

You may see the place little fingers attain and I feel it’s oh so candy!

Our Unlacquered Brass {Hardware} Sources

Unlacquered Brass Knobs

An unlacquered brass cabinet knob on a white background.

Our Knobs

We chosen 1″ unlacquered brass knobs which is usually smaller than what you see in kitchens, however I just like the understated class they add to the kitchen with out detracting from different options.

Unlacquered Brass Cupboard Latches

We’ve an entire information to Cupboard Latches right here – don’t miss it!

Our Cupboard Latch

I am keen on the classic attraction that these add to our kitchen.

Unlacquered brass cabinet latch on a white background.

Unlacquered Brass Drawer Pulls

Whereas these are listed as drawer pulls, they’ve held up fantastically for us on our fridge. Click on by to our information to Equipment Pulls to see how we did it!

An unlacquered brass cabinet pull on a white background.

Our 18″ Drawer Pull

I like that these really feel a contact extra delicate than many equipment pulls available on the market.

Unlacquered Brass Cup Pulls

Name me boring, however I like these without end and ever. They’ll by no means exit of favor!

Our Cup Pulls

They really feel much more stunning at present than after we put in them, 5+ years in the past.

Brass Cupboard Hinges

Our hinges are lacquered – on the time of our renovation, unlacquered hinges have been not possible to search out. We love the delicate glimmer of those subsequent to our unlacquered items and have been so proud of the best way they’ve held up.

An unlacquered brass cabinet hinge on a white background.

Our Hinges

Whereas hingeless cabinetry is widespread proper now, I like the look of a bit of added jewellery on our cupboards.

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Lake Cottage Unlacquered Brass {Hardware}

Do you know that we up to date our fashionable lake cottage kitchen with unlacquered brass, too? Learn extra about our Ilve Vary and our Paneled Dishwasher right here.