STORIES
Why we don't sell chrome (and what we do instead)
We don't sell chrome. It was invented to make cheaper metals seem like something better than they are. Usually, it's just a microscopically thin layer of chromium, less than half a micron, deposited over who knows what. It can look harsh, like a blue-white mirror. And it looks the same from brand to brand.
Over time, chrome can blister and flake. Moisture can eventually get through the thin layer. And there really isn't much to see underneath. It's why we work with brass. Simple, real, honest with you. Everything we make is brass throughout.
Our alternative: nickel
Nickel is our alternative to chrome. It still offers that reflective look, but with a softer feel. It looks and feels warmer. More forgiving. Brass at the core, nickel at the surface. We make it by lowering pieces into a warm chemical bath, where a current draws copper ions from the solution and onto the metal's surface. A copper foundation forms, invisible in the finished piece, but core to its quality. Then we dip again, but with nickel. Like a second skin. The surface is chemically transformed.
Polished & brushed nickel
We make both. Polished nickel is buffed to a gentle shine after plating. Brushed nickel is given a fine directional grain, the same texture as our brushed brass finish, but hand-applied over the new nickel layer. Satin-like.
Polished works where reflectivity matters. Brushed suits schemes that want texture without shine. Both, left unlacquered, are living finishes.
How does nickel age?
It's a natural process. Nickel takes its time. It won't develop a patina as quickly or as boldly as unlacquered polished brass. Over time, it gains a quiet warmth. Subtle, but real. It happens as the surface reacts to air and moisture. It oxidises. This can cause the colour to shift slightly, becoming more muted. It adds a depth and lived-in look that simply can't be achieved with chrome. Nickel only improves with age. Looking better with time and touch.
Caring for nickel
Care is straightforward. A soft cloth, warm water, and a pH-neutral soap. Every so often, to prevent buildup. For polished nickel, you can use a quality metal polish to bring back the original shine.
We enjoy embracing the ageing process. Fittings with a nickel finish are an investment in quality.
