Our brass finishes
Since 1929, Armac Martin have been crafting brass hardware in our hometown of Birmingham, England.
Our heritage, expertise, and commitment to producing high-quality brass cabinet hardware and accessories means that Armac Martin is a name you can trust.
With 20 brass finishes to choose from, in a range of living, plated and lacquered finish types, you’ll have plenty of options to find right brass finish for your interiors.
Explore our brass finishes
Living finishes
SAUL
Satin antique unlacquered
This living finish features a hand applied antique patina that will be replaced by the warm tone of the brass over time in areas most touched.
DBZ
Dark Bronze
Over time, the dark antique patina of this living finish will be replaced with the warm tone of the brass in areas where the product is most frequently touched.
FEA
Fine English Antique
The smooth surface of this living finish will quickly patina in areas most frequently touched.
DAB
Dark Aged Brass
Over time, the dark antique patina of this living finish will be replaced with the warm tone of the brass in areas where the product is most frequently touched.
AGC
Aged Copper
As our aged copper finish oxidises, this living finish will develop a beautiful deep patina over time and with use.
HBB
Hand Burnished Brass
Featuring hand-applied burnishing, this living finish will patina over time where the product is most frequently touched.
PBUL
Polished Brass Unlacquered
This hand polished living finish will patina as it ages, but can be returned to its original mirrored state by applying quality metal polish with a soft lint free cloth.
BEL
Aged Brass
Our best-selling finish, this living antique brass finish has an already patinated appearance that will further patina as the brass oxidises with the air and moisture.
SBUL
Satin Brass Unlacquered
Hand relieved to create a matt satin finish that is popular with modern interiors, this living finish will patina over time and with use.
Lacquered finishes
SBSL
Satin Brass Satin Lacquered
This hand relieved matt satin lacquered finish is coated with a matt satin lacquer to offer lasting protection that maintains the appearance of the brushed satin finish.
MBL
Matt Black Lacquered
Our products are shot blasted before being sprayed with a matt black lacquer that offers lasting protection, maintaining its appearance.
PBL
Polished Brass Lacquered
As a lacquered finish, the smooth mirrored finish will not patina or darken with use, maintaining its original appearance for an extended period.
SBL
Satin Brass Lacquered
This brushed satin lacquered finish is protected by a hand applied gloss lacquer that prevents the finish from aging for an extended period.
SAS
Satin Antique Satin Lacquered
This lacquered finish features detailed hand relieving, combined with an antique patina that is protected by a highly durable matt satin lacquer.
Plated finishes
SNP
Satin Nickel Plate
A dull nickel plate is applied over a hand relieved brushed satin finish to create a matt plated finish that is highly durable and will lightly patina over time.
NBP
Aged Nickel
This plated nickel finish is lightly hand distressed, offering an antiqued finish that will slightly patina over time and with use.
HBN
Hand Burnished Nickel
Featuring hand-applied burnishing, this nickel plated finish is highly durable and will slightly patina in areas most used over time.
PCP
Polished Chrome Plate
A durable and hard-wearing plated finish that is cooler in tone than our nickel options, this finish will lightly patina over time.
PNP
Polished Nickel Plate
Offering a warmer tone than chrome, the bright nickel of this plated finish creates a durable finish that will lightly patina over time.
SCP
Satin Chrome Plate
A dull chrome plate is applied over a hand relieved brushed satin finish to create a matt plated finish that is highly durable and will lightly patina over time.
Order a sample chip
Our finish chips are made to order and shipped within 2-3 days for UK orders. Delivery times for outside of the UK may vary. Order your finish chip sample here.
Explore our brass finishes
The finish you choose will depend on how you want your hardware and accessories to age and how easy they are to clean and care for.
Living brass finishes
Living brass finishes continue to evolve and patina over time as they are consistently exposed to air, moisture and handling. As they age, the finish will become more characterful, developing subtle variations based on use, as well as growing in warmth as it naturally patinas. Living brass finishes complement other brass fixtures, lighting and architectural details in the home to create a cohesive look. Our living finishes are ideal for kitchens, dressing rooms, home office, home bars, and bedrooms.
Lacquered brass finishes
Lacquered brass finishes are created by applying a clear lacquer to solid brass to protect it from oxidation. As a result, lacquered finishes maintain their appearance for an extended period. Lacquered brass finishes are perfect for kitchens, utility rooms, bathrooms, mud rooms, pantries, and living rooms.
Plated finishes
Plated finishes are made by coating a solid brass base in a thin layer of metal using an electroplating process. Plated finishes are durable, meaning it retains its general colour and appearance, developing a light patina over time. Typically created using cooler tones, such as nickel and chrome, our plated finishes are well-suited to contemporary interiors. Our plated finishes are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and mudrooms.
Frequently asked questions
Our brass finishes age differently over time depending on the type of finish:
- Living finishes – this finish type ages more than any other Armac Martin finishes, developing a unique character over time as it is exposed to air, moisture and handling.
- Lacquered finishes – this finish type retains its original appearance for an extended time.
- Plated finishes – our plated finishes develop a natural, light patina over time as the finish ages, meaning there is still a level of uniformity as time passes with very subtle changes.
Armac Martin offer three different types of brass finish: living, lacquered and plated.
- Living finishes are created using unlacquered solid brass, allowing the finish to evolve and develop a rich patina over time.
- Lacquered finishes are produced by coating solid brass with a transparent lacquer to protect the finish for an extended period.
- Plated finishes are crafted by adding a thin metal layer, usually nickel or chrome, to a solid brass base, creating a finish with a cooler tone.
Polished brass typically has a mirror finish making it a glossier, high-shine hardware option, whereas satin brass is more of an understated, matt finish that allows you to see the natural texture of the metal beneath the lacquer.
Aged brass is a living finish which refers to its naturally aged appearance which continues to gradually change over time. Our aged brass (BEL) finish is Armac Martin’s best-selling finish which appears as though it has already patinated and will continue to do so over time.
Historically, burnished brass has been used to describe the finishes warm, characterful appearance. The finish is a softly aged brass tone with subtle variation on the surface. Burnished brass is created using a technique that has depth and variation rather than a high-shine surface like that of a polished brass finish. Its softer finish means that burnished brass pieces feel more established and pairs well with traditional kitchens, neutral cabinetry and heritage interiors.
Living brass finishes continue to evolve and patina over their lifetime as they are consistently exposed to air, moisture and handling. As it ages, the finish will become more characterful, developing subtle variations based on use, as well as growing in warmth as it naturally darkens. Living brass finishes complement other brass fixtures, lighting and architectural details in the home to create a cohesive look. Our living finishes are ideal for:
- Kitchens
- Dressing rooms
- Home office
- Home bars
- Bedrooms
Yes, our unlacquered brass finishes fall under our living finishes category, meaning that they will develop a natural patina and change over time.
Different brass hardware finishes will require different levels of care depending on the finish type. We recommend wiping our brass hardware regularly with a soft lint-free cloth using warm water and a mild detergent. Avoid using any abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals that could damage your finish. Read our guide to caring for your brass hardware.