4. QUALITY METAL FINISHES
You can tell pretty quickly if hardware or a light fixture is cheap based off the finish on the metal. Mass produced factory finishes such as antique brass, satin brass, and oil rubbed bronze generally look like cheap imitations of the real deal. The problem being either faux brass coloring, inaccurate color representation, or a pattern repeat in the distressing. The result of cheap finishes unfortunately cheapens the design of the entire room.
Generally when it comes to brass, bronze, and antique nickel/pewter finishes, the cheaper the price, the cheaper the finish looks. Higher quality brands produce higher quality finishes because they’re using genuine materials with natural distressing that exude a more handmade feel to them.
On the other hand, chrome, polished nickel, and matte black finishes can be found at more affordable prices without sacrificing beauty.
Factory finishes I avoid: oil rubbed bronze, satin brass, brushed brass, and any “faux” brass.
Genuine finishes I like: antique/aged brass, polished brass, unlacquered brass, chrome, antique nickel/pewter, iron, bronze, and matte black.
