Hardware finish decisions come late in a project and get made fast. By the time a client is choosing cabinet pulls, the big decisions — cabinetry, stone, flooring — are already locked in, and the finish has to work around them. Get it right and the whole scheme pulls together. Get it wrong and it's the thing everyone notices without quite knowing why.
At Plank Hardware, we offer seven finishes across our brass and metal range — from the most low-maintenance option in the range through to a living finish that develops a patina over time. Each has a distinct character, specific pairing strengths, and a different relationship with light, colour, and use. This guide is designed to make specification faster and more confident.
If you're brand new here, you can order finish swatches before committing to a full order. Seeing them against your actual cabinetry and under real life lighting is always worth the step.
How do I choose the right hardware finish for my project?
The most common mistake in hardware specification is selecting a finish in isolation. A swatch that reads well on screen can flatten against a warm-toned timber or disappear against a painted cabinet. Before reaching for a finish, establish three things: the cabinetry colour and material, the dominant light source, and whether the scheme already carries any metal tones in appliances, taps, or lighting. The hardware doesn't need to match everything — but it does need to belong.
Natural light and artificial light read differently on metal. Polished and high-shine finishes — Polished Nickel, Unlacquered Brass — will catch and amplify both. Brushed and matte finishes — Satin Brass, Aged Brass, Antique Brass — absorb light and read more quietly. In north-facing or low-light spaces, lean toward warmer, brighter finishes. In south-facing or well-lit rooms, you have more latitude.
What's the difference between Plank Hardware's brass finishes?
Five of our seven finishes are brass-based. Understanding the spectrum matters before specification. From brightest to most weathered: Satin Brass sits at the cleaner, more contemporary end; Heirloom Brass and Antique Brass occupy the warmer, softer middle ground; and Aged Brass and Unlacquered Brass carry the most patina and character.
Satin Brass
Clean, warm and more vibrant than Antique Brass — the one to reach for when a client wants brass without the drama of a living finish. Its brushed surface sits forward without overwhelming. Works particularly well against warm whites, soft greiges, and caramel-toned timbers. Finished with a clear protective lacquer; simply wipe with a soft cloth.
Heirloom Brass
Warmer than Antique Brass, less pristine than Satin Brass — it arrives feeling a little lived-in. Refined without being fussy. The finish for rich, bold heritage cabinet colours — deep greens, inky blues, warm ochres — where the warmth of the brass deepens rather than competes. Finished with a clear protective lacquer.
Antique Brass
Warm, soft and aged, with a wire-brushed finish that gives it the most storied appearance in the range. It earns its keep alongside earthy cabinet colours — tobacco, terracotta, aged olive — and pairs naturally with natural timber and stone. Finished with a clear protective lacquer.
Aged Brass
The most weathered of the brass family, achieved through a tumbling process. It looks like it arrived with a history already attached. At its best against smoked oak, slate, and deep charcoal cabinetry, and moody heritage colours — dark teal, burnt umber, near-black greens. Finished with a clear protective lacquer.
Unlacquered Brass
The only living finish in the range. It develops a rich patina over time, ageing with the space around it. It can be polished back to new if a client prefers to maintain its original appearance — but left alone, it will change, and that change is the point. Worth a direct conversation with the client before specification. Pairs best with materials that evolve alongside it: aged timber, honed stone, worn leather.
What are Plank Hardware's non-brass finishes?
Polished Nickel
A cooler, high-shine, contemporary finish with a warm undertone that keeps it from reading as stark as chrome. Its versatility is genuine — equally considered on a Shaker kitchen as a flat-front one. Pairs well with Unlacquered Brass or Antique Brass for intentional contrast, or with cool-toned stone and marble for a crisper scheme. A resilient finish that holds its look with minimal upkeep.
Blackened Bronze
Bold, architectural and grounding, with a warm reddish undertone that reveals itself in daylight. More characterful than matte black, without losing any of its edge. The finish that makes a deep, saturated cabinet colour — forest green, navy, aubergine — feel fully resolved. Protected with a lacquer coating; simply wipe with a soft cloth.
Can you mix metal finishes in the same space?
Yes — and for most projects, a single finish across an entire scheme risks reading flat. Mixed metals look considered and intentional when done with a clear framework. The instinct to match everything is understandable, but the best interiors tend to have a dominant finish and one or two supporting ones that either share an undertone or offer deliberate contrast.
A reliable starting point: anchor the space with one dominant finish used across the majority of cabinet hardware, then introduce a secondary finish in lighting, taps, or accent pieces. Warm and cool pairings tend to hold well because the contrast itself becomes part of the scheme. Limit the palette to two or three finishes — beyond that, the eye has nowhere to rest.
Three pairings worth knowing:
Antique Brass + Blackened Bronze — the classic warm-and-dark combination. High contrast, high character. Particularly strong in kitchen schemes featuring natural stone or timber.
Unlacquered Brass + Polished Nickel — warm meets cool. The living quality of the brass reads well against the precision of nickel, especially in transitional spaces where the brief sits between traditional and contemporary.
Heirloom Brass + Blackened Bronze — for schemes that lean into depth and material richness. Both finishes carry history, and they sit well together because of it.
Which hardware finish requires the least maintenance?
Most Plank Hardware finishes are lacquer-protected and require nothing more than a wipe with a non-abrasive cloth, dampened in warm water with dish soap. Blackened Bronze, Satin Brass, Heirloom Brass, Antique Brass and Aged Brass all fall into this category. Polished Nickel is unlacquered but resilient — it holds its look with minimal upkeep and no special care required.
Unlacquered Brass is the exception. It is a living finish that will develop a patina over time through contact with air, moisture, and natural oils. This is by design — but it's worth confirming that a client understands and welcomes it before specifying. It can be polished back to its original appearance at any point.
What cabinet colours work best with brass hardware?
The answer varies by finish, but as a general framework: brighter, cleaner brass finishes — Satin Brass, Heirloom Brass — tend to suit softer, more neutral cabinet palettes or bold heritage colours where their warmth adds depth. Darker, more weathered brasses — Antique Brass, Aged Brass — earn their keep alongside earthy, saturated tones: tobaccos, terracottas, deep teals, and natural materials. Unlacquered Brass is perhaps the most versatile of the family, moving between contemporary and traditional schemes with ease.
For Blackened Bronze, deep and saturated cabinet colours — forest green, navy, aubergine — allow its warm reddish undertone to anchor the scheme rather than compete with it. For Polished Nickel, cool-toned stone, marble, and crisp cabinetry in any style bring out its best.
Brands like Farrow & Ball and Little Greene are reliable reference points for cabinet colour direction
Frequently asked questions
What is a living finish in cabinet hardware?
A living finish is one that changes appearance over time through natural oxidation and use. Unlacquered Brass is Plank Hardware's only living finish — it develops a warm patina that deepens with age. Unlike lacquered finishes, it is not sealed, which means it responds to its environment. It can be polished back to new at any point.
What's the difference between Unlacquered Brass and Satin Brass?
Unlacquered Brass is an unsealed living finish that develops a patina over time. Satin Brass is a lacquer-protected finish with a consistent brushed appearance that does not change. Satin Brass is the lower-maintenance option; Unlacquered Brass rewards clients who want a finish that ages with the space.
Does Polished Nickel need lacquer to maintain its finish?
No. Polished Nickel is not lacquer-protected, but it is a naturally resilient finish that holds its appearance with minimal upkeep. A soft cloth is sufficient for day-to-day care.
What cabinet colours work best with Antique Brass hardware?
Antique Brass pairs particularly well with earthy, warm paint shades — tobacco, terracotta, and aged olive. It also works well alongside natural timber and stone. Matte black accents provide a strong contrast pairing.
Can you mix brass and nickel hardware in the same kitchen?
Yes. Unlacquered Brass or Antique Brass alongside Polished Nickel is one of the most considered pairings in the range — warm and cool tones in deliberate contrast. The key is to establish one as the dominant finish and use the other as an accent rather than splitting them equally.
Which Plank Hardware finish is best for a bold, dark kitchen?
Blackened Bronze is the strongest choice for deep, saturated schemes — forest green, navy, aubergine cabinetry. Its warm reddish undertone anchors dark palettes in a way that matte black cannot. Aged Brass is also worth considering for schemes with dark charcoal or smoked oak cabinetry.
How do I order finish swatches from Plank Hardware?
Finish swatches can be ordered here. We recommend testing swatches in the actual project space before specifying — under the client's lighting and against their cabinetry — to ensure the finish reads as expected.
