Studio Ore began as a personal project – to create a brass tap that honours the beauty of unlacquered brass. Today, we are the world’s leading small-batch manufacturer of hand-finished brass taps, driven by quality and considered design.
Born from founder Daniel Lee’s vision for his home
While renovating a property in London, Daniel discovered that you could not find contemporary, industrial-style bathroom taps in unlacquered brass finishes. In a market saturated with sanitised chrome finishes, he desired something more organic, inspired by antique brass handles and door furniture, which gain a characterful patina over time. Unable to compromise, he made his own. The project was featured in many design publications, demand grew, and Studio Ore was established in 2017.
Daniel moved from producing limited designs in a small wooden garage in his garden to realising a catalogue of brass taps and showers in a workshop in the British countryside, driven by a passion for quality, design, and individuality.
As demand for products grew, so did the vision, leading us to establish our own dedicated manufacturing facilities in Northern Italy beside the picturesque Lake Orta. This region was a natural choice for its rich heritage and network of highly skilled local suppliers and craftspeople who have specialised in tap production for decades. This duality between our British roots and Italian expertise defines who we are, allowing us to combine the best design and engineering.
Roll forward to today and Studio Ore has established itself as a leading small-batch supplier of premium quality hand finished brass bathroom fittings, having successfully reinvented unlacquered and hand finished brass bathrooms fittings from its previously traditional niche.
We have had the pleasure of working with many of the world’s leading architects and interior designers to supply the highest quality brass fittings across the globe. You will not find Studio Ore fittings in bathroom showrooms. We choose to sell direct or through interior designers, architects and developers who value the craftsmanship, quality and hand finished nature of our products.
Using time-honoured skills
Our pieces combine industrial inspiration with a timeless aesthetic made possible through modern technology, craftsmanship, and traditional materials. Every design begins in our British design studio, where Daniel leads a dedicated team inspired by our core values of aesthetic beauty, outstanding quality and a desire for difference.
In Italy, our skilled manufacturing team bring these ideas to life using precision machining, traditional casting techniques, and hand-finishing to ensure every piece meets our exacting standards. This approach allows us to blend tradition with innovation, creating fittings that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Whether the precision of CNC-machined components, the subtle details achieved through hand-polishing, or hand-applied finishes, each step reflects our commitment to quality and care.
Commitment to thoughtful design
At Studio Ore, sustainability and quality go hand in hand. Our workshop in Northern Italy, a region with a long heritage in tap production, enables us to collaborate with skilled craftspeople while reducing our carbon footprint. We prioritise small-batch manufacturing, reducing waste and supporting local suppliers in a region facing competition from low-quality imports.
All of our products are made from brass. It is an abundant material which is easy to machine and forge and equally easy to recycle. Any machining waste is sent directly to a local forge, where it is repurposed into new brass bars for future production. With no reliance on chrome coverings, every component is made from solid brass
We prioritise low-lead or lead-free brass that meets international drinking water standards and have taken an innovative approach to water efficiency. In addition to incorporating flow-reducing aerators across our range, we have adapted the castings for our traditional products, such as bib taps, to accommodate an aerator. This detail enhances the water efficiency and the stability of the water flow while maintaining the integrity of a classic design.
Our lacquered finishes provide a polished, long-lasting appearance, while our living finishes embrace the natural evolution of brass, developing a unique patina over time. This dual offering ensures that our products complement a wide range of design aesthetics.
From the first sketch to the final touch, every decision is guided by a commitment to thoughtful design. We aim to create products that complement spaces, withstand time, and celebrate the artistry behind every detail.
