Dark Bathroom fixtures and Hard Water

8 months ago

We are doing a complete remodel on our bathroom and I need to start finalizing my choices. The bathroom will be dark brown and white. The flooring is Ivy Hills Hayes Marron Hexagon tile, deep chestnut brown linen cabinet and matching vanity with an all white composite quartz top. White subway tile for the wainscoting and white large format tile for the tub surround. I feel Delta's Venetian Bronze faucets and hardware will look really nice with the brown and warm up the white a bit. The problem is we have really hard water. I understand cleaning is a must for upkeep, but has anyone been successful in keeping their dark fixtures corrosion free by using protectants such as Everbrite or Life Proof Ceramic Coating for preventative measures? Or should I just buy Delta's Brilliance Stainless fixtures instead? Also, in your opinion, are bronze fixtures out of style? It looks very similar to oil rubbed bronze.

Featured Answer

Molly D. Zone4B

7 months ago

My guest bath has a bronze faucet with pop-up drain cover. (Cant remember if its Delta or Kohler) I have a softener but I am on well water so not the best water for cleaning. I have much more spotting on my chrome than I do with the bronze. I do notice some spotting on the pop-up drain cover as water sits there after someone washes their hands.

Good luck and post a pic when complete!

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Comments (9)

PRO
Carole Vaudable Interior Design
8 months ago
Hi Jessica!

Those floors are gorgeous. I would actually go with an antique brass or brushed brass - it would spruce up the design and will last.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 months ago
I'm not sure about your selection of plain white for plumbing fixtures and subway tile. The wall tile might be better if it appears handmade instead of machine made.
Jessica thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
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Jessica
Original Author
8 months ago
BeverlyFLADeziner do you have any wainscoting tile suggestions? The house is a 1930s craftsman, but it does not need to be craftsman style (which is not my favorite anyway), just not ultra modern. My husband does not like the glossy, wavy handcrafted look. He thinks the floor tile I chose is enough of a statement. Maybe if I found a handcrafted tile that wasn't quite so glossy it would be a compromise. I have been searching for tiles for months and finally fell in love with this floor tile. Thank you.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 months ago
As you can see from the photos posted above, a hex tile in terra cotta is kind of the star of the room. A hex terra cotta tile in a Craftsman house IMO is a stretch.

I don't even like the idea of placing the rectangular subway tile next to it. I would limit my selections to square tile so patterns are not fighting.

Below the subway tile looks perfectly ok in a rectangular shape bu the flooring isn't a large scale pattern
apple_pie_order
8 months ago
Buy a black plate, put it on the counter in your current bathroom. Sprinkle water on it whenever you wash your hands. Check at the end of a day to see if you'd enjoy wiping it off every day or two for the next five or ten years. YMWV.
Jessica
Original Author
7 months ago
BeverlyFLADeziner I’ve not thought of the Ivy Hill Marron Hexagon as terracotta. Several retailers carry it under various names and the description is always porcelain and ‘stone’ look. I love it and will keep it. Thank you for your input!
A Mat
7 months ago
Is a water conditioner on your radar?
PRO
JAN MOYER
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
Dry your faucets thoroughly or live with the result.

Worse than the faucet? The soap crud/residue that builds up around the faucet base, unless you rinse and dry.

Is there a better way? No.

Of note?

Many of even the easy care polished chrome finishes these days, especially Delta? NOT what they used to be. I have Moen chrome in the bath from eons ago. Spot free! Shiny as the day of install! My clients with Delta and they DO have some great styling? I am appalled.... even as I clean it all on an install. Bottom line? Nothing is what it used to be : )