| While reading through my usual group of discussion | | | | 2. Brushed Nickel: This sleek, upscale, contemporary |
| forums this morning, a thread was developed about | | | | look is quickly growing in popularity not only for its |
| the trendiness of granite countertops and stainless | | | | aesthetic appeal, but also for its durability. |
| steel appliances. I am, of course at the age when I | | | | 3. Oil Rubbed Bronze: This Old World finish |
| remember avocado green and harvest gold and how | | | | incorporates a copper base with dark brown lowlights |
| we all raced to redo our kitchens to those colors | | | | to create an authentic weathered finish. But even |
| thinking that they would always be in the vogue. I | | | | now manufacturers are having to reformulate their |
| don’t know if any of you have seen an avocado | | | | ORB finishes because they have changed with age |
| appliance lately but for my part I can’t believe | | | | and have caused many disappointed customers. Also |
| that we bought it. Likewise remember when kitchen | | | | individual manufacturers finish vary making it difficult |
| and bath faucets came only in one finish – | | | | to match to differing brands. |
| Chrome? You could have it any finish you wanted as | | | | 4. Antique Nickel: A distressed metal appearance |
| long as it was chrome! Chrome is probably still the | | | | creates a highly sought-after, weathered look with |
| choice most people make for both the kitchen and | | | | striking black and gray accents to create a nostalgic |
| bath today probably because its less expensive and | | | | look and feel. |
| from my viewpoint a lot easier to maintain (have you | | | | 5. Wrought Iron: This dark, elegant finish is |
| ever tried to keep fingerprints and grunge from | | | | reminiscent of years gone by and works well with |
| stainless steel?), there are many other newer finishes | | | | cherry cabinets and black or stainless appliances. |
| that are popular with homeowners. | | | | 6. Polished Nickel: Warmer in tone than Chrome, this |
| Popular faucet manufacturer, Moen, offers some 20 | | | | finish is timeless and coordinates with a variety of |
| different colors and finishes and offers that Brushed | | | | décors. |
| Nickel has recently assumed the number two spot in | | | | 7. Painted Finishes. Although rarer in today’s |
| consumer preference. Also coming on strong are Old | | | | market there are still available faucets in many |
| World finishes, including Oil Rubbed Bronze, Antique | | | | different colors to match the kitchen décor. We |
| Nickel and Wrought Iron. It’s estimated that total | | | | replaced an “almond” (remember that one?) |
| non-Chrome finishes now represent approximately | | | | Kohler with the chrome that we have now. |
| half of all faucet sales. | | | | As consumer demand for personalization increases, |
| Driving the need for a wide variety of finishes are | | | | finish options will only continue to grow as well as the |
| the changing consumer tastes and a desire for | | | | increased customer demands for products. As the |
| individualization in design. Cruising any discussion | | | | trends change and the old finishes become passé |
| forum, today, you will find numerous questions and | | | | the manufacturers have the opportunity to sell more |
| opinions regarding which finish works best. Customers | | | | products even though the existing faucet may be in |
| are demanding variety, even when it comes to | | | | great working order. Call me old fashioned, but I think |
| something that was once taken for granted, such as | | | | I will stick with chrome. It’s timeless, easy to |
| the finishes of kitchen and bathroom faucets. As | | | | keep clean, goes with everything and less expensive. |
| they become more educated on the choices, a | | | | As to those stainless steel appliances and granite |
| greater demand is placed on faucet manufacturers to | | | | countertops I jumped on the bandwagon for, I guess |
| satisfy their needs for options, diverse finishes and | | | | I will have to keep them until I can afford to donate |
| styles. | | | | them to the thrift store with the avocado green |
| The following are just some of the more popular | | | | ones they replaced. I’ll be back soon with some |
| finishes available today: | | | | more words of wisdom but for now I have to go |
| 1. Chrome: Ever popular, timeless, durable and easy to | | | | and see of I can wipe this mornings fingerprints off |
| maintain, it blends with a wide variety of decorating | | | | the refrigerator and stove, they are driving me crazy. |
| styles. | | | | |