Our range of living finishes include: 

• Aged brass (BEL) 
• Aged copper (AGC) 
• Dark aged brass (DAB) 
• Satin brass unlacquered (SBUL) 
• Polished brass unlacquered (PBUL) 
• Hand burnished brass (HBB) 
• Fine English antique (FEA) 
• Dark bronze (DBZ) 
• Satin antique unlacquered (SAUL) 

Armac Martin’s living brass finishes are also known as unlacquered brass finishes. Our collection of living finishes develop a natural patina over time, evolving as they oxidise due to being exposed to air, moisture and handling.  

A living brass finish is a great choice is you are looking for an option that is unique, warm, and full of character. The finish does not retain a consistent appearance and will naturally patina and develop subtle yet complex variations over time. The speed of the ageing process will vary depending on factors such as room humidity and how often the piece is handled.

Armac Martin’s lacquered finishes include: 

• Polished brass lacquered (PBL) 
• Satin brass lacquered (SBL) 
• Satin brass satin lacquered (SBSL) 
• Satin antique satin lacquered (SAS) 
• Matt black lacquered (MBL) 

Lacquered brass finishes consist of solid brass that is coated with a transparent lacquer that creates a durable finish that provides protection against oxidisation. This range of finishes are designed to withstand exposure to handling, air and moisture to maintain their original appearance for an extended period. The durability of lacquered brass finishes mean that these finishes are well-suited to high-use rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. 

Our collection of plated finishes include: 

• Aged nickel (NBP) 
• Polished nickel plate (PNP) 
• Polished chrome plate (PCP) 
• Satin nickel plate (SNP) 
• Satin chrome plat (SCP) 
• Hand burnished nickel (HBN) 

Plated finishes are created by applying a layer of metal, such as nickel or chrome, over a solid brass base using an electroplating process. This process creates hardware and accessories that may develop a light, natural patina over time. Our plated finishes are long-lasting and require minimum maintenance, making them perfect for high-use spaces, including bathrooms and main living areas.  

Our range of bronze finishes are all living and include:

• Burnished bronze (BR) 
• Burnished white bronze (WB) 
• Dark aged bronze (DBR) 
• Dark aged white bronze (DWB) 
• Light aged bronze (LBR) 
• Light aged white bronze (LWB) 
• Medium aged bronze (MBR) 
• Medium aged white bronze (MWB) 

Our range of living bronze finishes are made from silicon bronze and white bronze, and feature different shades of antique patina. Over time, our bronze finishes will change as they are exposed to air, moisture and handling. 

Armac Martin offers 20 brass finishes and eight bronze finishes. Our brass finishes include living finishes, lacquered finishes and plated finishes. Our bronze finishes are all living finishes, meaning they are unlacquered and will patina over time. Our grilles are also offered in 10 different finishes across living, plated and unlacquered finish types. 

The finish you choose will complement your interior for years to come, so it is important that you consider how you want the finish to look in the future, and what is the most suitable option for the lifestyle of your project.  

Brass finishes are both durable and versatile, allowing them to complement both traditional and contemporary interiors. Brass is particularly well-suited to luxury kitchens, bespoke wardrobes, utility and mud rooms, and bathrooms.  

In comparison, burnished bronze finishes result in a deeper, richer tone that works well with woods such as timber, stone and darker colour palettes. As an exceptionally durable material, bronze is well suited to heritage homes, dark tone cabinetry, and high-use environments.  

In contrast, burnished white bronze offers a cool silver-grey finish which develops a subtle natural patina over time. Our white bronze finish works well in contemporary or minimalist interiors, with painted cabinetry, light stone surfaces, and cool toned colour palettes.  

A living finish, also known as an unlacquered finish, is a solid finish that develops a natural, rich patina which continues to evolve as it is exposed to handling, air and moisture throughout its lifetime. The exposure means that the finish will gradually oxidise, allowing it to darken and develop a unique finish with plenty of character. Factors including humidity exposure, handling, and where it is installed will influence the speed at which the finish develops its patina.  

A lacquered finish is coated with a transparent lacquer that protects the material from oxidation. Lacquered brass finishes are designed to retain their original colour and appearance through minimal maintenance.  

Unlacquered finishes are also known as living finishes as the brass develops a natural patina as it is exposed to everyday handling, air and moisture, causing it to gradually oxidise and constantly evolve throughout its lifetime. 

Brass finishes 

Armac Martin’s living finishes change over time as they are exposed to the air, moisture and frequent handling. Plated finished may develop a light natural patina over time, but any changes are minimal. Lacquered finishes do not develop any patina due to their coating, protecting the surface from oxidation.  

Bronze finishes 

Each of Armac Martin's bronze finishes are living finishes and will therefore develop a patina over time as the bronze oxidises due to exposure to air, water and use.  

Armac Martin’s brass lacquered finishes do not change over time as their protective coating prevents the brass from oxidising. Without developing a patina, pieces with a lacquered finish will maintain their original appearance for an extended period.  

Our bronze finishes are all living finishes and, as a result, will not retain their original appearance.

We recommend wiping our hardware and accessories with a soft lint-free cloth using warm water. Avoid using any abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals that could damage your finish. Read our guides on caring for and cleaning our brass finishes to ensure your Armac Martin hardware and accessories are well cared for. 

Yes, Armac Martin’s hardware and accessories are hand-finished. Each one of our products pass through at least ten pairs of hands to ensure that each piece of hardware and every accessory is finished to the highest standard. It takes our team of hand-polishers up to five years to become fully trained, so when you buy a piece from Armac Martin, you’re buying years of dedication and skill too. 

Yes, you can order Armac Martin finish samples to ensure you choose the right finish for your project. Our sample finish chips are crafted using the same materials and processes we use to produce our hardware and accessories, allowing you to get an accurate representation of the colour, texture and character of each finish. Once ordered, our finish samples are typically delivered within a few days.