Help! Will our new antique bronze faucets match the rest of the house? (hardwood floors, tile)

[Leslie301]

We're supposed to overhaul our bathrooms this weekend - Reply to this post soon to stop us if we're crazy!

Our house is a typical starter home, but we've been making a lot of upgrades. We have a relatively dark shade of hardwood floors throughout with an exception of light khaki/cream colored tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen has white cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware, white Kohler sink, and brushed nickel faucet. We recently replaced the brass hardware that was throughout the home with brushed nickel.

We're upgrading our bathrooms and we like the antique bronze faucets, shower heads, etc.


I'm a little worried that using these faucets, etc. will throw off everything since even the doorhandle to the bathrooms are brushed nickel.



We do plan on implementing other antique bronze accessories (towel bar, TP holder, pictures, etc) to tie it in, and will probably replace the white doorknobs on the bathroom cabinets to an antique bronze. That being said, I'm still not 100% sure if it will work.

Before we replace everything and spend a couple thousand bucks, can some of you experts let me know if I'm making a huge mistake? Thanks in advance for your prompt response!!

(Bathroom color - light sage green, adjacent bedroom is a darker sage green. Guest bath will be classic khaki.)

[Uconn97]

well, i am not an expert, but I am a big fan of finishes matching within a space, not neccessarily the whole home. Personally I would stick to the brushed nickle if thats what you already have in place.

[Uconn97]

Also just saw this posted in another thread by someone else....

"We have oil rubbed bronze fixtures (faucet, door handles) throughout much of our 3-year old house. It just seems to be an awful finish to try to maintain - especially in the shower. I read that it is a "live" finish, which I guess means it's just not as permanent as most others.

In our master shower the fixtures look awful - streaked and spotted and discolored from cleaning, even though we try to be vary careful with them and about what is used around them. On other frequently used fixtures, the finish has just about worn off completely wherever hands touch them.

Does anyone have any tips for maintaining these things, or better yet restoring them to something close to their original appearance?"

[motormaker]

Copied from poconoproud's post in the House forum.

his is what the Anderson Window company instruction book says


Handling and frequent use create the bronze patina that is the hallmark of the oil-rubbed bronze and distressed
bronze finishes. Oil rubbed bronze and distressed bronze are “living finishes” with no protective coating. With use,
your hands will polish away the darker material exposing the bronze beneath. The appearance of these finishes will
vary depending on usage and environmental conditions.
• Occasionally apply light mechanic oil to deepen the color and sheen of the product. Cover metal parts with oil
entirely, allow the oil to stand for a few minutes, then gently rub off excess using a clean cloth.

[DKVA]

I have moved into new construction home-will be a year the end of December. All of the faucets with the exception of the kitchen are all rubbed oil bronze. I don't have any problems with the finish.
We have hard water which leaves white spots-I just spray a cleaner-spots are gone. I don't have a break down with the finish.

[motormaker]

From my post in the House form related to Mechanic oil;.

This is what I would use. It's a very light thin oil and it's been around for years. Think I have a can out in the garage that is over 30 years old. lasts a long time.

3-IN-ONE OIL: 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil