A living finish is one that is left unsealed so the metal can respond naturally to air, moisture, and handling. Finishes like Unlacquered Brass and Polished Nickel will not retain a fixed appearance; instead, they mature naturally and develop an evolving patina that deepens over time.
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Match the Character of Your Interior
Brass and gold tones such as Polished Brass, Antique Brass and Satin Brass suit period, traditional and warm contemporary schemes. Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome and Matt Black offer a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic. Satin Nickel and Polished Nickel are equally suited to traditional and contemporary interiors.
Before you select a colour or a tone, there's a more meaningful decision to make. Do you want hardware that looks the same for years to come, or hardware that tells the story of your home as it ages? Understanding the difference between our sealed and living finishes is the key to choosing with confidence.
This guide covers every finish in the Heritage Brass range, explaining how each is protected, how it ages, and where it performs best - so you can choose with confidence.
Our Finish Groups
Brass and Gold Tone Finishes
Polished Brass, Satin Brass, Antique Brass (lacquered) and Unlacquered Brass (living finish) bring warmth, depth, and a sense of tradition. Ideal for period and traditional interiors.
Polished Brass
A bright, highly polished finish with a warm golden tone. Polished Brass has been in continuous use since Victorian times, making it one of the most historically significant brass hardware finishes available. It remains a natural choice for period homes, traditional interiors, and statement entrance doors where a classic, reflective finish is called for.
This is a lacquered finish. A protective lacquer seals the surface to preserve its golden shine and resist tarnishing, keeping maintenance low and the appearance stable in internal use.
Antique Brass
A darker, hand-finished brass with natural depth and warmth. Antique Brass suits heritage-inspired interiors and anyone drawn to a mellow, time-worn look on door handles, cabinet fittings, and entrance furniture.
This is a lacquered finish, sealed to protect its aged tone and keep upkeep straightforward. Since each piece is finished individually, slight variations in colour and shading from one item to the next are a natural and intentional characteristic of this finish.
Satin Brass (also known as Brushed Brass)
A softly brushed brass finish with understated warmth. Satin Brass, also known as Brushed Brass, offers the richness of brass without a high shine, making it equally at home on contemporary cabinetry and traditional mortice knobs.
This is a lacquered finish, which preserves the brushed texture and warm tone while keeping upkeep minimal.
Silver Tone Finishes
Satin Nickel (lacquered), Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome (plated) and Polished Nickel (living finish) offer cool, versatile elegance that bridges traditional and contemporary schemes.
Satin Nickel
A warm-toned brushed silver finish that bridges traditional and contemporary styles. Satin Nickel sits comfortably alongside classic joinery and modern cabinetry, making it one of the most adaptable finishes for creating a coherent scheme across an entire property.
This is a lacquered finish, sealed to maintain its subtle warmth and soft sheen with very little maintenance required.
Polished Chrome
A bright, mirror-like finish with a cool, crisp tone. Polished Chrome reflects surrounding light and complements both contemporary and minimalist interiors with ease.
This is a chrome-plated finish, unlacquered and among the most durable architectural hardware finishes available. Its hard, corrosion-resistant surface makes it particularly well suited to external door hardware and high-traffic areas. It requires very little maintenance and is suitable for exposed locations. However, no finish is entirely immune to the effects of extreme environmental conditions over time.
Satin Chrome
A brushed version of Polished Chrome with a softer, muted sheen. Satin Chrome offers a refined contemporary look while concealing fingerprints and everyday marks more effectively than its polished counterpart.
This is a chrome-plated finish, unlacquered and highly durable with excellent corrosion resistance. A good choice for external use, where it can be expected to outperform many lacquered finishes over time. Designed to withstand demanding conditions, although weathering and surface changes can occur with prolonged outdoor exposure.
Dark Tone Finishes
Matt Bronze (lacquered) and Matt Black (powder-coated) create a bold contrast, particularly striking against light cabinetry and pale walls.
Matt Bronze
A deep, warm bronze finish with a refined, low-sheen surface. Matt Bronze offers visual weight without the starkness of black, bringing depth and quiet distinction to both contemporary and heritage-inspired interiors.
This is a lacquered finish, sealed to protect its rich tone. As an aged, hand-applied finish, slight variations in tone and texture between pieces are part of its character.
Matt Black
A bold, solid black finish with a tactile matt surface and a strong architectural presence. Matt Black creates clean contrast against light-coloured doors and cabinetry, and is widely specified in contemporary and minimalist interiors.
This is a powder-coated finish. The hard-wearing coating provides excellent durability, a consistent non-reflective surface and very low maintenance requirements.
Two-Tone Finishes
Our Dual Finish pairs two complementary finishes, such as Matt Bronze with Satin Brass, for layered depth and subtle contrast.
Living Finishes: Beauty That Evolves
Our two living finishes, Unlacquered Brass and Polished Nickel, are left unsealed by design. Without a protective layer, the metal responds naturally to air, moisture, and the touch of your hand, developing a soft, deepening patina that no two pieces will ever share.
On Unlacquered Brass, the warm golden tone darkens and mellows overall as the metal oxidises with age, while the areas touched most become lighter and brighter, as repeated handling polishes the surface to a higher sheen.
On Polished Nickel, the bright surface gradually softens across the whole piece in the same way, with touchpoints becoming lighter over time.
You can buff either finish to restore an even shine, or simply let it age gracefully. Either way, it becomes a quiet record of the life lived around it.
Best for: Period properties, heritage interiors, and anyone who loves an evolving, aged aesthetic.
Metal Textures on Brass
Alongside our smooth finishes, we offer a selection of specialist tactile textures designed to bring added depth, character, and a premium feel to your doors and cabinetry. Available across many of our core finishes, these textured options allow you to introduce subtle variation while keeping your overall colour palette beautifully coordinated.
Hammered Hardware
Crafted to create an organic, artisanal effect, hammered textures catch the light beautifully across their gently indented surface. The result is a bespoke look with a timeless, heritage-inspired character. This finish is available across a wide selection of solid brass door furniture, including cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, and statement lever handles such as our Bauhaus and Delta collections.
Reeded Hardware
Defined by elegant linear grooves, reeded textures add tactile, architectural detail with a sophisticated and enduring appeal. This finish creates a considered statement across a variety of pieces, from flush pulls for sliding doors to lever handles in collections such as Charlbury, Roma, and Bridgetown.
Knurled Hardware
Featuring a precision-cut diamond or ridged pattern, knurled hardware delivers a strikingly contemporary, industrial feel while also offering enhanced grip. Popular in modern interiors, this texture is showcased particularly well on our Bauhaus Mitre Knurled handles.
Finish Comparison Table
| Finish | Finish Type | Ages Naturally | External Suitability | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polished Brass | Lacquered | No | Limited | Low |
| Antique Brass | Lacquered | No | Limited | Low |
| Satin Brass | Lacquered | No | Limited | Low |
| Matt Bronze | Lacquered | No | Limited | Low |
| Satin Nickel | Lacquered | No | Limited | Low |
| Polished Nickel | Living Finish | Yes | Good | Medium |
| Unlacquered Brass | Living Finish | Yes | Recommended | Medium-High |
| Matt Black | Powder-Coated | No | Good | Low |
| Polished Chrome | Chrome Finish | No | Excellent | Very Low |
| Satin Chrome | Chrome Finish | No | Excellent | Very Low |
Consider the location and exposure.
For external door hardware, Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome, and Unlacquered Brass offer the best long-term performance. External suitability ratings are a general guide. Performance in coastal, exposed, or highly polluted environments may differ.
Clean using a soft cloth to remove dirt, dust and moisture from the surface. After cleaning, always dry the hardware thoroughly. Lingering moisture is one of the most common causes of premature wear, so regular removal of water and settled dust will help preserve the finish and prolong its lifespan.
To protect both your hardware and its finish, please observe the following:
- Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals, as these can permanently damage the surface and strip protective coatings.
- Avoid impact with keys, rings and other metallic objects, which can scratch the surface and compromise the finish.
- Ensure adequate ventilation in high-humidity areas to minimize lacquer wear.
Many projects start from items that are already in place, such as hinges, window fittings, taps, switches or older door handles. To keep everything reading as one scheme, first look at the metalwork you already have and choose the Heritage Brass finish that comes closest. If an exact match is not available, stay within the same family of finishes, for example pairing Satin Brass with other brushed brass items, or Satin Chrome with stainless steel appliances and hinges
Trusted by Designers and Homeowners Alike
"Elegant, timeless, yet modern and practical, Heritage Brass is the obvious choice for me as an interior architect. I can match all the hardware with my electrical plates... The quality is amazing, in a reasonable budget."
- Emmanuelle Sirven,
Interior Architect, London
"The handles complement the interiors in my house perfectly, they really elevate the interior architecture and give it a very luxurious and contemporary feel."
– Sophie Paterson,
Interior Designer, London
"We love the quality and finish on their products and especially adore the satisfying tactile 'click' of the toggle switch!"
- Nina Watson,
Interior Designer, London
Quick Selection Guide
Short on time? Use this quick guide to match your interior style or practical needs to the right Heritage Brass finish, then explore each option in more detail below.
For period and traditional interiors:
Polished Brass and Antique Brass bring warmth, depth, and timeless character to heritage homes, offices, and commercial spaces alike.
For clean-lined interiors:
Matt Bronze, Satin Brass, Matt Black, Polished Chrome finishes and Knurled texture deliver sharp contrast and a confident, contemporary edge.
For a warm contemporary look:
Matt Bronze, Satin Brass and Satin Nickel offer soft, muted tones that feel current without being cold.
For character and texture:
Hammered, Reeded, and Dual Finish add tactile detail and a handcrafted, bespoke feel.
For external use:
Unlacquered Brass, Polished Chrome and Satin Chrome are well suited to external doors and entrances, offering durability and a finish that weathers gracefully.
For an evolving, living finish:
Polished Nickel and Unlacquered Brass develop a natural patina over time for a beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "living finish" on architectural hardware?
Which hardware finishes are best for external doors?
For external door hardware, Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome, and Unlacquered Brass offer the best long-term performance. Polished and Satin Chrome are highly durable, unlacquered finishes with excellent corrosion resistance. Unlacquered Brass is also recommended because its finish can be practically refreshed on site using an appropriate brass polish.
Can I match hardware finishes throughout my entire house?
You can coordinate a single finish family across your door handles, cabinet hardware, window fittings, light switches, and socket plates. By co-ordinating your finish, this helps create a cohesive and considered look throughout your entire space. If you need to match existing items like taps or hinges, you should choose the Heritage Brass finish that comes closest, or stay within the same family of finishes (like pairing Satin Brass with other brushed brass items).
How do I clean and maintain my door hardware?
You should clean your hardware using a soft cloth and mild soapy water. It is important to avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals, and you must always dry the hardware thoroughly after cleaning.
Will all products in the same finish match each other?
Our finishes match seamlessly across our entire collection, from door handles and cabinet hardware to switches and sockets, providing customers confidence when selecting our products.
Some of our finishes are hand-applied and hand-burnished and as a result, slight variations in colour, tone, texture, and degree of ageing are a natural and expected part of working with metal at this level.
We consider these subtle differences to be part of the beauty and character of each piece, not defects.
- Hand-finished and aged finishes such as Antique Brass and Matt Bronze are finished individually, and no two pieces will be precisely identical. Variation in shading and depth is intrinsic to the process.
- Living finishes such as Polished Nickel and Unlacquered Brass will age at different rates depending on location, exposure, and how frequently they are handled. Hardware on a busy front entrance will develop a patina more quickly than hardware in a less-used internal room.
These characteristics are part of what distinguishes premium brass hardware finishes from standard hardware. The variation is the finish.
What is the difference between lacquered and unlacquered hardware?
Lacquered hardware is sealed with a protective coating to preserve a stable, consistent appearance with minimal upkeep, making it highly reliable for internal settings. Unlacquered hardware (such as living finishes or chrome-plated finishes) does not have this sealed coating. While unlacquered chrome is highly durable against corrosion, unlacquered living finishes like brass and nickel are specifically designed to naturally oxidise and age over time.
Which hardware finishes remain stable over time?
Finishes that are sealed with a protective coating, known as lacquered finishes, are designed to preserve a stable, consistent appearance with minimal upkeep. Powder-coated options like Matt Black, as well as highly durable chrome-plated finishes, also remain stable and do not age naturally. These are excellent choices if you want your hardware to look the same years from now, whereas "living finishes" are meant to naturally oxidise and change.