Our Finishes

Living finishes are brass-based finishes with no protective lacquer coating. This means the surface is in direct contact with its environment and will develop a patina over time in response to handling, humidity and light. The rate and character of that change varies by finish, by usage and by location. In a frequently used kitchen, a living finish will develop faster than on a bedroom door handle used once a day.

Henry Blake's living finishes are: Polished Brass Unlacquered, Antique Brass, Satin Brass, Dark Bronze, Coppered Bronze and Antique Nickel.

Living finishes suit projects where natural material character is part of the design intention. They are not a lower-maintenance option than lacquered finishes; they require more active care but reward it with a depth and individuality that a sealed finish cannot replicate.

Care & Maintenance

Clean with a soft dry cloth. Do not use cleaning abrasives. The occasional application of beeswax will slow the rate of patina development and enhance the surface. We advise using soft cotton gloves when handling during installation to preserve the new finish.

Lacquered finishes have a clear coating applied over the brass surface, which seals it against the environment and prevents the patina development that characterises a living finish. The finish you see when you order is the finish that will remain, provided the lacquer is maintained correctly.

This applies to Polished Brass Lacquered, Graphite Lacquered and Medium Bronze Lacquered, which use a true polyurethane seal. Antique Brass Lacquered, Satin Brass Lacquered and Dark Bronze Lacquered behave differently: their lacquer acts more like a durable wax than a hard seal, and will soften gradually, allowing the brass beneath to develop its own slow patina over time. This is a natural, intended part of these three finishes rather than a fault.

Henry Blake's lacquered finishes are: Polished Brass Lacquered, Medium Bronze Lacquered, Dark Bronze Lacquered, Graphite Lacquered, Antique Brass Lacquered and Satin Brass Lacquered.

Lacquered finishes are well suited to projects where finish consistency over time is a priority, or where the hardware will be handled frequently and the client does not want the appearance to change. They are recommended for indoor use only. The life of a lacquered finish can be affected by sea air, high humidity and industrial pollution.

Care & Maintenance

Clean with a damp cloth and mild soapy water. Follow with a gentle application of good quality wax polish. Do not use cleaning abrasives, which can damage the lacquer coating permanently. We advise using soft cotton gloves when handling during installation.

Plated finishes are applied through an electroplating process that bonds a layer of nickel, chrome or other metal to the solid brass base. They are the most durable of the three finish types and require the least maintenance. Plated finishes do not develop a patina and will not change in appearance with normal use.

Henry Blake's plated finishes are: Satin Nickel, Polished Nickel, Polished Chrome and Matte Black. All four plated finishes carry a 12-month finish warranty.

Plated finishes suit high-use applications and contemporary schemes where a consistent, stable surface is required. They are a strong choice for bathrooms, high-traffic doors and commercial or semi-commercial projects.

Care & Maintenance

Clean with a damp cloth and very mild soapy water. Do not use cleaning abrasives.

Available exclusively within the Darwin Bronze Collection, our Polished Bronze Unlacquered and Antique Bronze finishes showcase the raw, characterful beauty of true bronze.

Unlike brass, bronze is a softer metal, and this softness allows the natural porosity of the material to come through more distinctly during casting. Rather than being smoothed away, this porosity is embraced, giving each piece a subtle, organic texture that highlights the handcrafted nature of the casting process. The result is a finish with genuine depth and character, one that celebrates imperfection as part of its appeal.

Care & Maintenance

Our Polished Bronze Unlacquered and Antique Bronze finishes are living finishes that continue to change and develop character over time. The exact appearance and rate of patina development can vary depending on climate, usage and handling.

For regular maintenance, clean with a soft, dry cloth only, avoiding abrasives or chemical cleaners, which can strip back the natural patina. An occasional application of beeswax can help enhance and protect the surface.

As these finishes are unlacquered, we recommend using soft cotton gloves when handling during installation to avoid fingerprints or marks on the new finish.

Please note that variation in tone, texture and porosity is an inherent characteristic of cast bronze, not a fault, and should be considered part of the finish's natural charm.