Since 2010, there have been an array of finishes that Kingston Brass has offered to consumers. While examining many of the kitchen and bath products in our inventory, I found that photos and videos were limited in describing the details of a particular finish. By viewing from behind a monitor, mobile phone or even print, it does no justice to see the products without the naked eye.

For this case, here are what I believe are the five must-have finishes for your next remodel. To see a list of all our finishes, you can click HERE.

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5. Polished Chrome

A few years ago, Polished Chrome was the most popular finish in plumbing and door hardware products, especially in Europe, Asia and South America. Its durability might be the reason why it was in demand. While it still remains and continues enduring for so many years, there was a time in the past when the finish was in many products. To name a few, automobile bumpers and trim pieces used chrome-plated finishes.

Polished chrome is an electroplated finish (Which retained durability from nickel-plating bumpers and coating it with chrome). It is a cold color meaning it consists of a stark silver color. Many industry people feel polished chrome is easy to work with and fits into most decor depending on the faucet style.

Simply put, the finish glistens and stands apart from surrounding decor allowing its design to be spotted from afar. The purity of its silver can also be a neutral tone with surrounding items that are either light or dark.

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4. Matte Black with Polished Chrome

If we take the characteristics of polished chrome and allow its silvery reflection to contrast with the matte black’s smooth but pure complexion, we find two finishes with a different intensity that harmoniously shine.

For many, the appeal of the matte black finish stems from its immaculate exhibition and since it isn’t rustic and doesn’t age with time like the oil-rubbed bronze finish, most would find confidence in knowing that the black finish would preserve its dark tones and not lose luster.

By first glance, it is apparent that the black tone is pure, perfect and sleek, giving off a blurred radiance that doesn’t show gloss, and it noticeably feels smooth to the touch.

When used in the kitchen, the black color brings out some of the tones of the natural stone and also adds a focal point to your home. Due to its natural neutral qualities, it serves to either harden or soften the surrounding color scheme. A bonus feature of this finish is the matte color that hides fingerprints, but coincides well with an enhanced gleam of polished chrome.

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3. Antique Copper

This finish is new and exclusive, and is only available with our kitchen faucets. This unique finish appears with a brushed, light-brownish color with a speck of red blended in. For some, the finish assimilates to the rose gold color, known well in the Victorian Era but also resurfaced and became popular again in the 1920s. Unveiled as bold and daring for creative minds, the antique copper finish coordinates well with specific design elements. Including its shine, the finish undoubtedly stands out by its hue alone and will be the centerpiece of any kitchen design.

2. Black Stainless Steel

The black stainless steel from our Water Onyx collection is the most visually-captivating finish in our inventory. By first glance, it will grab attention. It consists of a beautifully glossy coating over an absolute black color giving a gorgeous elegance about it.

While many different shades of black are noticeable in various products like refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, the black in black stainless is not actually purely black, but comes in different tones.

The Kingston Brass black stainless steel finish matches well with the tones of many kitchen appliances making a perfect pairing.

The finish gives off a rare glow unlike the smooth blackness of the matte black, but a definitely radiant shine that might be confused for a black chrome labeling. The appearance is pure, but stands apart as a sure opposite to the matte black.

1. Satin Brass

While the finish is closely similar to the polished brass finish, satin brass is not reflective compared to polished brass. In fact, after close observance satin brass is a slight bit duller, but that is why it is better.

There is no excessive richness, but a perfect golden tone. This finish is ideal for transitional elements and is seemingly more appropriate with other finishes around the kitchen or bathroom. Considered as my favorite finish, it is also a new finish in Kingston Brass’ product line. If polished brass is an interest to your home, consider satin brass as another choice–whichever you choose, it’s a win-win for you.

Satin brass is added to many of the existent Kingston Brass collections. Polished nickel has also been added with the big four (Polished chrome, polished brass, oil-rubbed bronze and brushed nickel). It is likely that satin brass will continue to grow and be offered in many other categories.

Every person has their own preference for the kinds of finishes that appeal to them. A solution to the right finish also depends on the way the room is setup or to be set up. What kind of texture and colors are set before that faucet is added? Or what tiling, patterns, or tones will go perfect with the faucet? However it appears, choosing the right finish will be essential to the end result of your room.

For comments or questions, contact mkt@kingstonbrass.com.