The Art of Patina: Living vs Lacquered Finishes

The most thoughtful interiors are shaped not only by how materials look today, but by how they will look in years to come.

When selecting architectural hardware, one of the most important decisions is whether you would like your finish to evolve or maintain its original appearance. At Croft, all of our living and lacquered finishes each bring distinctive character to a space.

Explore Luxury Finishes & Patinas  

         Living Finishes 

• Aged Brass (AGD)


• Antique Brass (AB)


• Autumn Bronze (AUT)


• Distressed Antique Brass (DAB)


• Light Antique Brass (LAB)


• Polished Brass Unlacquered (PBUL)


• Satin Brass Unlacquered (SBUL)


• Smoked Brass (SMK)


• Carbon (CN)


• Distressed Carbon (DCN)


• Midnight Carbon (MCN)

Living finishes are celebrated for their ability to develop over time. As they are touched and handled, subtle changes begin to emerge, creating a patina unique to the environment and the people who use it.

Finishes such as Aged Brass, Smoked Brass and Antique Brass become richer and more individual with age, making them a natural choice for interiors where authenticity and material honesty are at the heart of the design.

Whether in a country home, a period property, or a more contemporary space, these finishes sit comfortably alongside natural materials and textures.

         Lacquered Finishes 

• Antique Nickel (AN)


• Distressed Antique Nickel (DAN)


• Dark Bronze Metal Antique (DBMA)


• Polished Brass (PB)


• Satin Brass (SB)


• Zero Black (ZB)


• English Bronze (EB)


• Deep English Bronze (DEB)

Lacquered finishes offer a different kind of beauty. Protected by a clear coating, they are designed to preserve their original appearance for longer, maintaining consistency across a scheme.

Finishes such as Satin Brass, English Bronze and Antique Nickel provide a refined and controlled aesthetic, making them particularly suited to contemporary kitchens, luxury apartments and projects where visual continuity is key.

Neither approach is better than the other. Instead, they represent two different design philosophies. A living finish embraces change, allowing hardware to become a part of a story. A lacquered finish preserves the designer's original vision, offering consistency and elegance.

The choice ultimately comes down to how you want a space to feel. Whether it is the evolving character of living brass or the lasting appearance of lacquered brass, each finish brings plenty of character to any setting.

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