I used Waterworks in our last house - two bathrooms and kitchen. I loved the patiina it created the few years we were there. But if want to start fresh, or don't like, it is easy to restore and start over.

ETA photos:

Shower used daily for three years.

Main bathroom faucets

Kitchen

Rohl has (had?) a living finish I used in house on lake kitchen. I really liked the way it aged. Much slower, at touch spots. The finish worn down to unlacquered brass. Our Emtek bronze door hardware did the same.

I think it’s beautiful, Allison’s pictures are the best proof of that. :)

It sounds perfect for the look you’re wanting, Fun.

I think it is beautiful! And as long as you are comfortable with some patina, then go for it.

I like it

@Allison0704, thank you for the pictures. Is that your soapstone counter/sink in the last one? I'm considering soapstone counters, but would probably do a porcelain sink. I think you mentioned that you had difficulty keeping your soapstone sink looking nice?

I have a Rohl / Perrin and Rowe unlacquered brass faucet in my kitchen; it’s about five years old now and I love the patina. It was a great decision, and it makes me happy every time I look at it, which is often.

Yes, to both. I loved the counters. Not so much the sink. It became difficult to look nice. It could be cleaned but dulled so quickly and looked bad.

I used THIS on the counters, and sink. Maybe it did not need to be used in sink since it was used washing dishes? But I've always used a clear dish liquid. Of course you do not need to use this on counters if you don't want to.

That is good to know, @chinacatpeekin, and I know that feeling!

Thanks so much for the cleaning product information, @Allison0704!

Allison what yummy eye candy your pictures are! I love unlacquered brass but I also love aged marble, worn linen, grey hair and smile lines. I like objects that show their history and living finishes do this but it is not to everyone’s taste.

@Fun2BHere ive had soapstone counters and sinks since 2007. I never use anything but dish soap and water. Soapstone can’t be ” sealed” it is non porous. Mine got dark and stayed dark. Occasionally a spray of grease cutter will lighten an area but it gets dark again in a day or so of use.

Tonight just after dinner before rinsing it out. Custom made with the counters . Its always like this just a sponge wipe. Since 2017. Hope this helps. I never did anything with the 100 yr old salvage soapsone sinks in AL either. It is the best. I used MTeixeira out of Sterling VA. They are the best company in the US and have branches other places . They went above and beyond to come here , out of their service area, as a favor. 🙏

@Still trailing, thanks for the recommendation for MTeixeira. I'll see if they have a branch out here in the west.

ETA: Unfortunately, only available in Northern California.

Fun, I don’t know if you’re in Southern California, but M Teixeira will open in Orange, CA next month.

Love it and hope to switch over at some point

Brass will tarnish even when laquered. It happens between the brass and the laquer. To clean it up and start again you have to first remove the laquer, which can be no fun at all.

What Pal just said. That is one reason I’ve held off. Do not want to choose wrong and have that look.

@chinacatpeekin, that is great news! I'm a few months away from buying counters as the architect just started the as-builts, so that timing will work well for me. Thank you so much for letting me know.