Get the details on purchasing an unlacquered brass kitchen faucet (also known as uncoated brass or a living finish), including where to shop, what to look for, and what to expect as it ages!
There’s still so much to share with you about our kitchen remodel, even if it hasn’t been moving right along as we’d hoped. Little has changed since late May, but we’re living in our kitchen and loving it!
I’m excited to share a little about our unlacquered brass kitchen faucet with you today.
First, I wanted to mention that when we started planning our kitchen remodel, Chris and I decided we would not have any element of the kitchen sponsored.
I wanted it to be 100% authentic to our design/taste without even the slightest of compromise. Also, to share a kitchen with a real budget with you.
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Unlacquered Brass Kitchen Faucet
As with any project, we still had to make a few compromises along the way. One such compromise was with the purchase of our unlacquered brass kitchen faucet.
I have long loved this Barber Wilsons faucet or this Perrin & Rowe bridge faucet, but after a lot of debate, we decided on the Newport Brass Chesterfield Kitchen Faucet with Sidespray.
With the side spray it was significantly less expensive than other options, and had a lot of characteristics that I love.
Why Choose a Living Finish Faucet?
It’s hard to make a timeless decision… one that will stand the test of time and something you’ll love just as much 10 or 20 years from now!
This faucet needed to feel special! Because my style is so minimalistic and simple, I wanted the faucet to be a star in our kitchen.
Unlacquered Brass has no comparison in my eyes. It’s timeless, ages beautifully and cannot be replicated in less expensive formats. Simply put: it’s special!
Is it possible to fall in love with a faucet? I love the delicate knobs that mimic those on our nearby range and that a living finish allows us to choose whether we want the brass to age gracefully or polish to its original state.
Psst… read all about our Shaw Fireclay farmhouse sink and I’ll spill all the secrets for shopping for one of your own!
If you love the look of our classic cream kitchen, don’t skip this post about our Inset Cabinets! You can find our cream cabinet color and details about our Danby Marble countertops, too!
Brass Kitchen Faucet with Sprayer
More than anything, the sprayer is a life saver! We contemplated on doing without the side sprayer, but I’m so thankful we didn’t.
With our farmhouse sink, it’s almost a necessity to encourage bits of food down the drain. It has made cleaning the farmhouse sink a breeze. Now that we have it, I’m convinced we could never live without it!
How to Shop for an Unlacquered Brass Faucet
It can be difficult to find true unlacquered brass. And without question, it’s a long-term investment for your kitchens or baths so you’ll want a quality piece that will stand the test of time.
A few tips as you shop for your unlacquered brass faucet:
- Try to visit high-end kitchen show rooms in person. This can give you a better idea about scale, shape, and details that photos might miss.
- Order a sample whenever possible. Because brass has become such a popular finish in home design, there are manufacturers who put claim on a variety of “brass” finishes that are certainly NOT true unlacquered brass.
- Allow plenty of lead time. In many cases, these higher-end kitchen fittings are made to order and can take a long time to receive. Plan ahead for your kitchen renovation needs!
- True unlacquered brass can genuinely last a lifetime. Be sure to consider a timeless style if you’re investing in a brass kitchen faucet like this… you don’t want to regret your decision down the road by choosing a “trendy” style. Refer to historical kitchens for context and help in choosing a style that will stand the test of time!
Unlacquered Brass as it Ages
I’ve discussed unlacquered brass in the past in a comprehensive post. It’s a must-read if you’re considering this finish for your kitchens or baths.
It’s also referred to as raw brass, uncoated brass, or a living finish. Quite simply, it’s brass that has been stripped of any protective lacquer. This means that it changes as it ages, and you can choose to polish frequently or enjoy the patina over time.
I much prefer the patina of our unlacquered brass kitchen faucet vs. frequent polishing. Oxidation happens fairly quickly in my experience.
One and a half years later, this is how it has aged…
An unlacquered brass kitchen faucet is timeless and classic no matter which you select. Do you love a sprayer as much as we do?
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Hi Julie! I really love your kitchen, it’s remarkably similar to the design I’m going for in our 2021 remodel. I’ve been using DeVol Kitchens for inspiration. My heart is set on an unlaquered bridge faucet and I was able to see the Newport Chesterfield in person yesterday.
Does your side sprayer have a lock? I was reading about the importance of having a lock in a side sprayer on Houzz.
Also, the cabinet color you have is yummy. What brand/color paint did you use?
Jill
No, I’ve never had a lock nor have I had an issue. Very few nice faucets do. Thank you! You can find our Cream Kitchen Cabinet color here. Enjoy!
we are well water, should there be any differences or different upkeep?
No – but if you don’t want patina, I recommend you select polished brass.
I’m living this look!! So can I use unlacquered brass fixtures and pulls in a contemporary (flat) kitchen cabinet style with stainless steel vent hood?
You absolutely can! They pair so well together.
I just purchased your sink and faucets!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot thank you enough.
I am so happy and relieved. 🙂
I hope you love them as much as we do!
Thank you, for your answers!!! Have you had any issues with either the sink or faucet? Your style is absolutely classic and beautiful. So happy I found your site!!!
Not at all! I’d do it again for sure! I’m actually looking into similar options for our laundry room!
I think my comment disappeared from earlier. I would like to purchase a faucet like yours. I found it earlier on Amazon but couldn’t find the unlacquered brass. But i think I found it on Qualitybath.com where it says it oxidizes. I do not want polished brass but the unlacquered that does oxidixe. Love that look so much and have been looking forever for it. So thank you!!!!! I think I may copy your sink too lol. I have looked everywhere for a fireclay sink but wasn’t really interested in a farmhouse sink. After seeing yours together I swooned. Anything I need to purchase to make this all work? Garbage disposal with some kind of brass button. I will also need a water filter do they have anything that will match? Thank you so much for your hrlp, Brooke
I linked to it on Amazon. You will still need the drain to coordinate. I’m honestly not sure on the water filter – do you use a separate tap?
I would love to purchase this exact faucet but when I click on your highlighted name it only shows it in chrome color. What am I doing wrong?
The photo doesn’t match the description – that’s their standard photo for all the colors they offer.
Can you tell me what cabinet hardware you went with? Love the faucet and getting for my kitchen farm sink
It’s all available in my shop and Amazon shop, enjoy!
I am so thankful you have the post on the unlaquered brass kitchen faucet! It is amazing how hard it is to find unlaquered brass. I absolutely love how your faucet looks, as well as your whole kitchen! Thanks so much. Willa
It is so surprising, isn’t it? I never dreamed it would be so difficult. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for taking the time to comment!
Beautiful kitchen!
We’re debating on unlaquered brass in the bathroom shower and sink but I’m worried about how it will age. The sales people have highly discouraged us saying it could turn green over time and that we would always have to wipe everything dry.
Do you have updated photos of how your faucet has aged?
I just added a photo – you can find more here and see them sprinkled throughout my site. I LOVE patina, which is why I chose unlacquered brass. If you want it to remain pristine, I would recommend polished.
Hi Julie,
I am considering buying this faucet: It is this one?
Uncoated Polish Brass – Living Finish: Will Oxidize
I just want to make sure I buy the good one!
Thanks, Mélissa
My apologies, I updated the link. This is the faucet/finish, enjoy!
I am ordering this same faucet but was thinking about forever brass so I don’t have to polish it. Do you have any pictures of what patina looks like on your faucet or knobs? I am ordering similar pulls and knobs from House of Antique Hardware but can’t decide on polished or unlacquered. Do you have to polish your knobs frequently to keep them looking like they do in your pictures? Your kitchen is stunning!
I do! I actually took several the other day to update this post. I LOVE the look of aged brass, but if you would polish it, I would definitely go with forever brass. I personally wanted them to age which is why I chose unlacquered, but I do love the polished look as well.
Will the polished brass kitchen faucet look the same as unlacquered polished brass. Looking at Waterstone and only seen in unlacquered and love it. But worry over time color will change due to cleaning or polishing. But also the polished brass will not have the same patina.
It will, but polished isn’t a living finish so it won’t age over time. I personally enjoy patina, but polished is so pretty, too!
Hello! I am considering a brass kitchen faucet. I have always had chrome, but the kitchen has brass accents … so I am looking into it. NBut … how difficult is it to keep clean? Does it tarnish?
Many thanks!
Julia
Raw brass does tarnish, you could do a solid polished brass that won’t. Raw is easily restored, but I like how it “weathers.” You can mix and match chrome and brass though, too! I love mixed metals.
Did you happen to source a matching drain for the faucet? Or did you go with chrome?
Great question! We did the matching unlacquered brass flange.
I do love that faucet, however, I just can’t get into a bridge faucet or handles that have to be turned for a kitchen sink. I often have totally contaminated hands and don’t want to be touching, thus contaminating, my handles. We have lots of unlaquered brass in our kitchen- cabinet hardware and LaCornue range- but I did chrome for my kitchen faucets. I cook full breakfasts and full dinners almost everyday and needed function over beauty for that. If it works for people, I think it’s great! I just know that it wouldn’t work for me. As for sprayers, they are a must for large farmhouse sinks. I couldn’t live without one! We didn’t put a sprayer in our prep sink and I regret that. Even though it is small, it’s hard to get all the peelings down the disposal with one. I’m definitely on Team Sprayer!
You’re hilarious! I don’t blame you at all. Have you seen the pedal? Grohe offers one, but it’s compatible with any faucet/any brand. We may add that in at a later date! I tried it at a showhouse I was photographing and LOVED it.
I like having a sprayer as it really speeds things up. We’re remodeling our house and for our kitchen I purchased the Perrin and Rowe traditional bridge faucet U-4764-ULB in unlaquered brass with similar neck style as yours, lever handles, and side spray. I’ve used brass for the past 31 years in my homes. It’s my favorite and it ages so beautifully.
So true, Deanna! That’s a beautiful faucet! Hope your remodel goes quickly and smoothly!