South Hams Lifestyle Jun - Jul 2022

HOW TO CHOOSE
Hardware Finishes
ADVERTISING FEATURE
AS PERMANENT FIXTURES, CHOOSING THE RIGHT
FINISH FOR HANDLES AND HARDWARE IS ARGUABLY
MORE IMPORTANT THAN PAINT COLOURS AND
WALLPAPER WHEN RENOVATING A HOME. THE
PRESSURE IS ON TO SELECT A FINISH THAT LOOKS
GREAT, IS LONG-LASTING AND THAT YOU WILL
LOVE FOREVER. THIS GUIDE AIMS TO SIMPLIFY THE
SELECTION PROCESS AND HELP YOU FIND YOUR
PERFECT MATCH...
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT FINISH
FOR MY HOME?
There is no right or wrong finish for a
property, but if you need inspiration, the
architectural heritage of your home will
often lend itself to a particular finish. For
example, period homes from the Victorian
era and earlier are well-suited to Antique
Brass finishes as they look like authentic,
original features. Polished Nickel has
a refined elegance that is particularly
fitting in regency style properties and
townhouses. In rural or industrial style
homes, such as country cottages
and factory conversions, the rawness
of Unlacquered Brass is especially
appropriate. The moodiness of a dark
finish, like Bronze, can prove very striking
in modern homes.
It can also help to consider what you
want from your hardware. Would you
like it to stand out and make a strong
statement, or would you prefer it to sit
quietly in the background? Consider a
finish that will give a dynamic contrast;
for example, Bronze on pale painted/light
wooden doors and cabinetry. Conversely,
you could choose a finish that will blend
in, like Bronze on dark painted doors or
Unlacquered Brass on warm oak. One of
the easiest ways to avoid costly mistakes
is to order samples. Even with the best
photography in the world, finishes viewed
online may look different in the flesh.
Samples are also helpful for checking the
quality of a finish and compatibility with
other colours and materials in your home.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
Until recently, the main options were
chrome for modern homes or black cast
iron for traditional settings. Now, the
choices are virtually endless, which can
prove overwhelming. It doesn’t help that
many companies use different words to
mean the same thing. One company’s
Antique Brass or Polished Nickel
might look very different to another’s.
At Corston, we like to offer enough
choice to satisfy diverse tastes without
overcomplicating matters. You won’t find
our finishes anywhere else and, best of
all, the colour will match no matter which
products you choose from our extensive
portfolio.
BRONZE
Bronze is a dramatically dark finish with
richness and depth. A flexible choice that
works in any period or style of property,
it boasts definition and character. Our
Bronze finish was developed in-house
to achieve intense, warm undertones.
In time, the natural brass colour will
gradually emerge where the metal is
most frequently touched, adding extra
uniqueness.
ANTIQUE BRASS
With the exception of authentic antique
hardware, Antique Brass is unlacquered
brass that has been chemically aged to
speed up natural patination. It’ is slightly
darker than untreated brass, with more
tonal variation. This makes it perfect for
making homes feel a little more relaxed
and lived-in. We believe that the only way
to achieve convincing results is to antique
by hand, which is why all our of Antique
Brass is finished by our own skilled team.
UNLACQUERED BRASS
Imbued with dark golden tones that add
colour and warmth, this is untreated solid
brass in all its natural beauty. Sometimes
known as a ‘living finish,’ Unlacquered
Brass will oxidise and patina in time,
reacting to atmospheric conditions and
even the natural oils in your hands. We
love the ever-changing character of our
Unlacquered Brass finish, but it can also
be restored to the bright, shinier look
of box-fresh brass using Corston Brass
polish.
POLISHED NICKEL
Polished Nickel is a sophisticated choice
with warmer undertones than chrome
but just as durable. A firm favourite in
classical homes, Polished Nickel can also
bring a crisp, clean look to contemporary
spaces and is a timeless finish that will
never date. We use a high-quality nickelplating
process to provide protection and
colour consistency, ensuring our Polished
Nickel finish won’t oxidise or patina.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO
CONSIDER?
Some hardware finishes require polishing
and specialist cleaning products.
It’s well worth checking aftercare
recommendations before you buy. With
the exception of Polished Nickel, all
of our finishes are unlacquered, which
means they will alter very gradually over
time. We believe this is all part of their
inherent beauty and should be celebrated
but it also means cleaning requires
nothing more than a damp, lint-free cloth.
The same goes for our Polished Nickel
finish.
www.corston.com
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