Finishes
Every Ellis Works finish is hand-polished and patinated in our Brooklyn studio, rooted in the belief that hardware should carry the same depth and distinction as the spaces it inhabits.
Our ten finishes draw their richness from process: carefully worked surfaces, nuanced color development, and the subtle shifts that occur only through skilled hands. The result is a palette that feels both modern and timeless—crafted with intention and built to endure.
Our finishes are intentionally left unlacquered, allowing them to remain alive and responsive. These surfaces evolve with use: the oils from your hands, the conditions of your home, and the rhythms of daily life gradually enrich the patina and reveal the natural character of the material. This is not a flaw—it’s the hallmark of true craft, and an inherent part of what makes each piece feel personal.
Polished Brass
A bright, warm finish with a crisp reflective surface that softens beautifully over time. Its glow deepens with touch, developing a rich, lived-in patina that brings warmth and subtle sophistication to any space
Antique Brass
Patinated by hand to create a timeworn, elegant finish with layered coloring and soft highlights. Antique Brass feels grounded and architectural—evoking heritage materials while still reading modern.
Burnished Brass
A hand-burnished brass with gentle depth and a softened sheen. The surface carries subtle tonal variation from the start and continues to evolve, mellowing into a warm, nuanced character through daily use.
Polished Nickel
A cool-toned, mirror-bright finish with crisp clarity and refined shine. Polished Nickel maintains its appearance over time, offering a clean, modern alternative to our dynamic live finishes.
Antique Nickel
A darker, hand-patinated nickel with deep greys and softened highlights. Because the antique character is created through surface patination rather than plating, it will gradually wear and reveal brighter undertones in areas of frequent touch. The result is a finish that evolves beautifully—moody, textural, and uniquely yours over time.
Burnished Nickel
A softly muted nickel with a hand-burnished sheen and subtle depth. Burnished Nickel brings a gentler, more tonal expression than polished metal while retaining long-term stability.
Blackened Nickel
Blackened Nickel begins with a base layer of nickel plating, then receives a heavy hand-applied patina that deepens the surface to a rich, charcoal tone. As a live finish, it will evolve with touch and time—softening at high points and gradually revealing the blue and grey undertones of the nickel beneath. The result is a moody, dimensional surface that develops its own character through use, creating a quietly expressive patina unique to each installation.
Oil Rubbed Bronze
A deep, earthy bronze with warm undertones that reveal themselves gradually through touch. This live finish shifts from near-black to dimensional brown highlights as it wears in, adding quiet depth to any space
Verdigris
A hand-applied patina with nuanced blue-green oxidation inspired by naturally aged copper. Verdigris offers an expressive, sculptural quality—each piece uniquely layered, matte, and inherently one-of-a-kind.
Weathered Copper
A warm, earthy copper tone with red and brown undertones that shift gracefully with handling. Over time, the finish darkens in areas where touched and wears in other high use places so that the copper plating might start to peek though. This evokes a richness, moving toward a soulful, naturally weathered patina.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All Ellis Works finishes are intentionally unlacquered. Live finishes are designed to evolve through touch, time, and environment. The oils from your hands and daily use will deepen the patina, soften high points, and create the warm, individualized character that defines true, handcrafted hardware.
For clients who prefer a finish that remains consistent, our Polished Nickel and Burnished Nickel are stable, non-living alternatives.
Because many of our finishes are finished by hand and unlacquered, slight tonal variations are inherent and expected. We see these subtle differences as part of the beauty of true craft—each piece carrying its own depth and character while still feeling cohesive within a space.
Live finishes such as brass, bronze, copper, verdigris, antique nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze will show natural variation in tone, highlights, and surface depth. This variation is intentional and reflects the handwork and patination process. Stable finishes like Polished Nickel and Burnished Nickel will show minimal to no variation.
Yes, samples are available for all finishes. Because many of our finishes are hand-patinated and unlacquered, samples are intended as a close representation—not an exact replica—of the final hardware. Live finishes will continue to evolve with time, touch, and environment, so some variation from the sample should be expected.
Live finishes develop a natural patina as they interact with their surroundings. High-touch areas will gradually lighten and smooth, while untouched areas may deepen in tone. This evolution is gradual, organic, and unique to each installation—revealing a surface that becomes richer and more personal over time. These changes are not defects but defining characteristics of unlacquered, handcrafted metals.
Our finishes require very little maintenance, and many clients prefer to let the natural patina develop over time. For detailed guidance tailored to each material and finish type, please refer to our Care Guides section.
Yes. All of our finishes can be used in bathrooms and high-humidity environments. Live finishes—such as brass, bronze, copper, oil-rubbed bronze, verdigris, and antique nickel—will patinate more quickly in these settings, developing deeper tones and softer highlights over time. This evolution is natural and expected. For clients who prefer a finish that remains consistent in appearance, Polished Nickel and Burnished Nickel offer excellent stability in humid spaces.
Live finishes will naturally react to the environment around them. Water, humidity, and the oils from hands can deepen or soften the patina, while certain cleaning products may alter the surface or strip hand-applied finishes. We recommend avoiding harsh chemicals, abrasives, or metal polishes.
Stable finishes like Polished Nickel and Burnished Nickel are more resistant to environmental changes and respond well to gentle cleaning with mild soap and water or ammonia free windex.For detailed care recommendations, please reference our Care Guides section.
Our finishes are produced on materials that meet current safety and compliance standards, including applicable lead-content regulations. Because our hardware is made from brass, trace amounts of lead are inherent to the alloy. All Ellis Works products comply with relevant industry requirements for residential and commercial use.
For high-traffic interiors or commercial applications, we recommend our stable finishes: Polished Nickel and Burnished Nickel, which maintain their appearance with minimal change.
Our live finishes—brass, bronze, copper, oil-rubbed bronze, antique nickel, and verdigris—can be used outdoors or in active spaces, but they will patinate more quickly due to exposure and handling. This evolution is natural and often desirable, but should be expected. If you need help choosing a finish based on climate, exposure, or intended use, we’re happy to guide you.