A kitchen renovation is one of the most significant investments you will make in your home. It is also one of the most complex — involving plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, countertops, and dozens of finish decisions that must all work together. Getting the hardware right — the faucets, sinks, and pulls that you will touch every day — is essential. Here is how to plan for it.
Timeline: When to Order
Because our fixtures are handcrafted to order, lead times are typically 4–6 weeks from order to delivery. We recommend placing your order as soon as your kitchen design is finalised — ideally during the demolition phase, so your fixtures arrive well before the plumber needs them.
Week 1–2 (Design phase): Select your faucet style, finish, and configuration. Confirm rough-in dimensions with your plumber.
Week 3 (Order): Place your order. We will confirm all specifications and provide detailed installation drawings.
Week 7–9 (Delivery): Your fixtures arrive, carefully packaged. Inspect immediately and contact us if anything is amiss.
Week 10+ (Installation): Your plumber installs the fixtures. We provide detailed installation guides with every order.
Rough-In Specifications
The most critical planning step is ensuring your plumbing rough-in matches your chosen fixtures. Different faucet styles require different configurations:
Bridge faucets require two holes in the countertop or sink deck, spaced according to the bridge width (typically 8 inches centre-to-centre). The supply lines connect below the counter to each valve body.
Single-hole faucets require one hole, typically 35mm in diameter. This is the simplest installation and works with virtually any countertop material.
Wall-mounted faucets require in-wall plumbing with hot and cold supply lines positioned at the correct height and spacing. This must be planned before the wall is closed — retrofitting a wall-mount faucet is expensive and disruptive.
"Measure twice, order once. The most common installation issue we see is incorrect rough-in spacing — and it is entirely preventable with proper planning."
Coordinating Finishes
In a kitchen, brass appears in multiple locations: the faucet, the sink (if brass or copper), cabinet hardware, light fixtures, and sometimes the range hood or open shelving brackets. The question is whether all of these should match exactly.
Our recommendation: choose one primary finish for your faucet and sink, then allow secondary elements (hardware, lighting) to vary slightly. An unlacquered brass faucet paired with brushed brass cabinet pulls and an aged brass pendant light creates a layered, collected look that feels more natural than a room where every piece is identical.
Working with Your Contractor
Not every plumber has experience installing artisan brass fixtures. Here are the key points to communicate:
No pipe wrenches on visible surfaces. Brass is softer than steel and will mark if gripped with metal tools. We include protective wrapping instructions with every order.
Use thread sealant tape, not pipe dope. Some pipe compounds can discolour brass. PTFE tape provides a clean, reliable seal without chemical risk.
Do not over-tighten. Brass fittings require firm but not excessive torque. Over-tightening can crack valve seats or distort compression fittings.
Flush the lines before connecting. Construction debris in supply lines can damage valve seats on first use. Run the water for 30 seconds before connecting the faucet.
After Installation
Once your brass fixtures are installed, the transformation begins immediately. Within the first week, you will notice the bright factory finish beginning to soften. By the end of the first month, the brass will have developed a warm, honeyed tone that looks like it has been in your kitchen for years.
Resist the urge to polish obsessively during this period. The patina is developing its initial protective layer, and frequent polishing interrupts this process. Simply use your kitchen normally, wipe the fixtures dry when convenient, and let the brass do what brass does best — age beautifully.
