Unlacquered Brass Hardware
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Unlacquered Brass is polished, unfinished raw brass that darkens and develops patina as it ages. Keep reading to learn more about it along with the knobs, pulls, hinges and cabinet latches.
Unlacquered brass hardware. Classic, timeless, yet much more difficult to find than I had dreamed, but some things are worth searching for. Raw / unlacquered brass has my heart and was worth every minute of the search. Is it normal to spend countless hours searching for just the right hinge?
I love brass light fixtures so much, but then again… I am such a fan of all things brass! Don’t skip this Brass Lighting post, as well as details about our Unlacquered Brass Hardware and Brass Door Knobs.
Table of Contents
What is Unlacquered Brass?
Unlacquered brass is also known as raw brass or uncoated brass. It can be brushed, satin or polished, but left without a protective coating. It therefore ages over time developing a beautiful patina that adds character to new and old homes alike.
When designing our new kitchen, I decided to invest a little effort into finding the perfect unlacquered brass hardware to grace our kitchen. I love the warmth the matte finish offers and enjoy watching it turn over time.
Since it is a living finish, no piece will look exactly the same. The variation adds a little warmth and interest in design. It can age unevenly, becoming duller over time.
Call me boring, but we used cup pulls in our last 2 kitchens and still love them just as much today. So surprise, we selected unlacquered brass cup pulls for our new kitchen as well.
How long does it take for brass to patina?
Unlacquered brass becomes tarnished when exposed to air, so naturally, it will age over time. Other factors contribute as well – The oils of your hands, minerals in water and other factors contribute. Weathered brass or antique brass attempt to simulate natural patina.
How do you protect unlacquered brass?
To keep it shiny, clean regularly. Using a soft cloth and ammonia, wipe the surface. You can polish it with brass polish and a soft cloth, rinse with water and dry.
At our last house our existing cabinets had holes for knobs, but in our 80’s kitchen we had holes for handles, so I updated them temporarily, but I’m so excited to return to knobs for the cabinet doors for a more traditional look.
We selected 1″ unlacquered brass knobs which is often smaller than what you see in kitchens, but I like the understated elegance they add to the kitchen without detracting from other features.
Hingeless cabinets have become increasingly popular, but I love the added decorative detail hinges provide. Who doesn’t love a little extra jewelry? I think a new kitchen deserves plenty of jewelry, too!
Finding unlacquered brass hinges was a bit more challenging. Almost all quality cabinet hinges are lacquered.
My cabinet maker said that inexpensive solid brass hinges can be easily compromised and reminded me that it’s important to find quality hinges for durable cabinet doors that will stand the test of time.
How to Test if Brass is Lacquered
Dip in acetone or nail polish for two minutes. If clear film starts to separate, it is lacquered brass.
De-Laquering Brass
- Submerge brass pieces in acetone or stripper to expose raw brass.
- Once it has become gummy, rinse.
Repeat if needed.
I also wanted to incorporate cabinet latches in our new kitchen – I can’t get enough of them. I considered using them throughout the kitchen, but for ease of use we opted to use them just for the hutch (which will be installed after the marble counters). It’s so fun to mix it up a bit.
You can get more details on this unlacquered brass kitchen faucet here and purchase it here.
I have received several questions about how our unlacquered brass hardware aged and I’m happy to say, beautifully! Well, that is in the eye of the beholder. I know it’s not for everyone. If you prefer the polished look, I would purchase polished rather than take the time to polish unlacquered brass.
The below photos are a year and a half worth of aging.
You can see where little hands reach and I think it’s oh so sweet!
Of course these appliance pulls can be polished and restored to look like new!
How to Polish Brass
- Apply cleaner to surface.
- Using a damp rag, apply pressure to wipe brass clean.
- Rinse the brass thoroughly using a clean cloth.
Love the look of brass as much as we do? Check out this Rub ‘n Buff tutorial to turn any home accessories into the perfect antiqued brass!
You’ll find unlacquered brass in faucets, light fixtures, and even knobs on ranges like this Lacanche Range.
Learn about my favorite Brass Polish to keep all your brass looking good as new!
This post was originally shared May 2017 and updated with video December 2019 and additional tips and details April 2021.
Do you share my affinity for unlacquered brass or do you prefer a more polished look?
More Home Design Resources
- Choosing Patterned Carpet
- Brass Door Knobs
- Subway Tile
- Dutch Door Details
- Brass Hooks
- Kitchen Island Dimension Guidelines
- Cabinet Knob Placement
- Bridge Kitchen Faucet
- 7 Ways to Add Light to a Room
- Shaker Style Cabinets
Michelle Cairns says
Hey Julie, loving the unlacquered brass against the white cabinets – and I absolutely adore that oven stove. We’ve been trying to renovate the kitchen in our new house for about 4 months but temporary cash flow issues has meant that it’s had to go on the back-burner. We moved in about 6- 7 months ago. Fortunately, we had managed to get all the other rooms and the garden done but were saving the kitchen until last as that was the room I really wanted to get right. Money is picking back up now so we’ve got a bit saved up to start renovating the kitchen finally. I’ve been searching high and low for different ideas as I don’t want a plain old boring kitchen. This is another great idea to add to my short-list so thanks for that. I’m a big antique fan so love the aging look that this brass will give you over time. I’ve got a lot of wood, brass and copper around the home. I do tend to shop around at antique sales or I buy second-hand furniture online when I spot a good discount on something that catches my eye – this site: used.forsale) is quite good if you want some bargains on used furniture and you often get free delivery. I get an old table or cabinet, give it a bit of TLC and you’ve got a lovely piece to help give one of your rooms some extra character. Fab looking kitchen anyway, hope I can come up with something equally as elegant. Look frwd to seeing it when everything is in and that brass has started to age a bit. Thanks, Michelle
Julie says
Thanks, Michelle! I also love going to architectural salvage stores – they’re often organized and have really pretty inexpensive hardware options. You may want to try that as well. It took us two and a half years before taking the leap on our kitchen. Take your time – you may learn how you really use it and what would be best for your layout after using it a year or two.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Julie, I’m a huge fan of unlacquered brass. Don’t see it often, but it always reminds me of the 1910 house we lived in when we got married. Can’t wait to see your brass when it gets a little age on it.
Julie says
Thank you, Jean! I can only imagine how beautiful your 100 year old home was!
Annette Cheppudira says
I am so in love with your stove where did you find it??
Julie says
Online – I think they just have one showroom in the states. You can read more about it here. I can’t wait to put it to good use!
Stephanie says
I love un-lacquered brass and want to change out my kitchen hardware. I have hickory cabinets and I’m not sure the brass will look good with the tone of the cabinets, so I haven’t done it yet.
Julie says
If you want to send a photo or two I’m happy to make recommendations! I love hardware!
Teresa Gonzales says
Julie- so beautiful and timeless! Where did you find the hinges?
Julie says
Rockler – I must have looked at hundreds of hinges before deciding on them ????