Hello, friend! I am so incredibly happy you are here today. If you followed along with our recent kitchen renovation for the One Room Challenge, you know exactly how much love, sweat, and design-debating went into that space. (And if you missed the grand finale, you can catch up on the full English Cottage Kitchen Reveal here!).
*Baldwin Brass supplied the hardware for our Kitchen remodel.
As I was designing this kitchen, my goal was to add character back into the space. Over the years, the house had been through some pretty horrible renovations. The house is 125 years old, and I kept asking myself: What elements would look as if they had been right here when the house was built in the late 1800s? I wanted it to feel collected, timeless, and completely authentic to its roots. To help bring that vision to life, I reached out to the team at Baldwin, and they were generous enough to gift us the absolutely perfect hardware for the space. Let me tell you, it completely transformed the kitchen.
What is Unlacquered Brass? (And Why It’s Timeless)
If you are anything like me, you keep up with the latest trends in design, then you’ve probably heard the term “unlacquered brass” tossed around quite a bit. But what exactly is it? Put simply, unlacquered brass is raw, polished brass without a protective clear coat or lacquer over it.
Because the brass is completely exposed to the elements, your hands, and the air, it is a “living metal.” That means it will change and develop a patina over time! Instead of staying bright and shiny, it naturally darkens and develops a stunning, aged look with everyday use.
I know some people worry that brass is just a passing trend, but unlacquered brass is quite the opposite—it has been around forever. It’s a foundational design classic. Choosing a living finish means embracing the beautiful imperfections of a home that feels lived in, which is exactly why it fits so seamlessly into a historic house like ours.
Hardware is Jewelry for the Home:
I’ve always heard that hardware is the ultimate jewelry of a room. Just like a great pair of earrings can completely pull an outfit together, your cabinet handles and knobs set the entire tone for your kitchen. They bridge the gap between functionality and pure style.
For this kitchen renovation, I had my heart set on a very specific English cottage vibe. I wanted pieces that felt substantial, classic, and elegant without trying too hard. When you are aiming for that cozy, old-world European feel, basic modern pulls just won’t cut it. I was looking for hardware that tells a story, feels incredible in your hand every single day, and feels bespoke.
Why Baldwin Brass Stood Out For Us
When it came time to select the perfect pieces, Baldwin was the obvious choice. If you aren’t familiar with their history, Baldwin has a reputation for exceptional quality. Founded right here in the US in 1946, they pioneered the forging of solid brass hardware and have been the gold standard for luxury and craftsmanship ever since.
What I love most about Baldwin is the sheer variety of styles they offer. Whether your home is sleek and contemporary or historic and traditional, they have a portfolio to match. For our cottage kitchen, I landed on two specific pieces. The 4-inch Colonial Pull from the Estate Portfolio and the Spherical Knobs 1.25 size, both in unlacquered brass.
The moment we installed them, I knew we had made the right choice. The rich warmth of the unlacquered brass against our Sherwin-Williams Acacia Haze cabinets is an absolute dream combination. The earthy green of the cabinets brings out the metal’s depth, and as the brass continues to patina, it’s only going to look even more stunning.
Wrapping Up
It’s amazing how a detail as small as a cabinet pull can completely anchor the design of an entire room. Bringing in quality, timeless hardware from Baldwin truly elevated our English cottage kitchen and gave this 125-year-old house the historical nod it deserved. I am so grateful to partner with brands that value craftsmanship as much as I do, and I cannot wait to watch this living finish age beautifully over the years.
I hope you enjoyed our look at unlacquered Brass Kitchen Hardware, You may also enjoy:
Small Cottage Kitchen Ideas that add cozy charm
Modern Cottage Kitchen- Reveal
Until next time,
-Libbie
