Finishes don’t just color hardware—they set the mood of a room, manage how light behaves, and determine how the pieces will age alongside daily use. Below is a designer-focused guide to our most requested finishes, with clear notes on tone, sheen, placement, pairings, and maintenance so you can specify with confidence.
Brass, Three Ways
Matte Satin Brass
A refined balance of warmth and restraint. The soft, brushed surface mutes glare and fingerprints while the golden tone stays gentle rather than flashy.
Specify when: you want warmth without sparkle, or when fixtures nearby are aged or brushed.
Pairs with: white oak, travertine, limewash walls, greige paints, navy or forest cabinetry.
Designer tip: use where natural light is strong—matte absorbs highlights beautifully.
Satin Brass
Warm, golden, and softly reflective—brighter than matte, quieter than polished.
Specify when: you need a touch of radiance on statement doors or panel-ready appliances but want a controlled sheen.
Pairs with: walnut, veined marbles, plaster finishes.
Designer tip: keep lines simple; the finish already provides richness.
Bronze Depth
Antique Brushed Bronze
Dark undertones with soft brushing that reveals subtle highlights—substantial, grounded, and quietly dramatic.
Specify when: you want visual weight and history without distressing.
Pairs with: smoked oak, soapstone, dark limestone, boucle upholstery, ribbed glass.
Designer tip: excellent on large doors where scale benefits from a deeper value.
Silvery Neutrals
Nickel Plated
Silvery with a calm, refined reflectivity—sleeker than satin nickel, gentler than chrome.
Specify when: you need a versatile neutral that bridges warm woods and cool stones.
Pairs with: honed Carrara, ash finishes, putty paints.
Use case: transitional kitchens and baths.
Satin Nickel
A brushed, low-glare silver with enduring appeal.
Specify when: durability and broad compatibility matter (multi-unit or hospitality).
Pairs with: rift-sawn oak, terrazzo, warm whites and taupes.
Designer tip: ideal when mixing metals—behaves as the “quiet neutral.”
Chrome Plated
High-polish, crisp reflectivity that brightens planes and emphasizes precision.
Specify when: modern lines, glass, and sharp profiles need to read clean and intentional.
Pairs with: gloss lacquer, concrete, black stone, mirrored elements.
Care note: microfiber + mild soap; avoid abrasives.
Modern Neutrals
Matte Black
Flat, non-reflective, and architectural. Creates clear contrast on light or dark millwork and resists fingerprints.
Specify when: you want definition around panel lines or to tie into black fixtures and frames.
Pairs with: white oak, rifted walnut, charcoals, metal frames, fluted stone.
Designer tip: scale up pulls to keep black feeling tailored rather than heavy.
Matte Gray
A soft, contemporary neutral that absorbs light for a quiet, edited look.
Specify when: industrial or minimalist palettes need subtle hardware that doesn’t read “black.”
Pairs with: concrete, stainless, pale woods, fog-colored paints.
Use case: excellent on integrated panel fronts.
How to Mix Finishes—A Simple Field Method
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Match temperature, contrast sheen: e.g., Satin Brass (warm, brushed) with Nickel Plated (cool-neutral) works if the sheens differ enough to feel intentional.
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Unify by form: repeat one profile or backplate across mixed finishes to keep the language consistent.
Placement & Scale
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Large doors/panels: deeper finishes (Antique Brushed Bronze, Matte Black) keep scale grounded.
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Small drawers: lighter or brighter finishes (Satin Brass, Nickel Plated) read clearly at a distance.
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High-touch zones: matte or brushed surfaces minimize maintenance; acrylic posts prevent visual clutter on banks of drawers.
Care & Specification Notes
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Use a soft microfiber cloth with mild, pH-neutral soap; dry immediately.
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Avoid bleach, ammonia, and abrasives.
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Expect natural variation across batches; approve samples in the intended lighting.
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If a living or lacquered version is required, note this in the spec to set patina expectations.
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