Your lighting and bathroom finishes will give you an opportunity to tie elements of your home’s decor together. Choosing the final touches, such as bath and lighting fixture finishes, can be some of the most dynamic part of the new home decorating process.

This is where you are able to add even more personality to your space. There are options to incorporate current trends, embrace tried-and-true classics, or follow your own intuition when choosing the finishes of fixtures in your home.

Monique Gorda, a partner and designer at Canterbury Homes Inc. and long-time member of Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre’s designer community, gives you inspiration and knowledge to help you create a unique space.

Choosing Finishes

Which finish or finishes appeal to you? Are you looking for a contemporary or classic feel? Farmhouse or Tuscan? There are nearly endless options to choose from.

Your style will influence the finish selection because each finish contributes to how your space reads to its audience.

Gold finishes are current and bold. They give a look of warmth and opulence. Chrome fixtures are more contemporary and add sparkle.

Many plumbing and lighting suppliers also mix metals in their products: combinations such as black and gold, chrome, black and glass, copper and black, and more! For more on mixing metals, see Monique’s Expert Advice on mixed metals in the home.

Be bold with your metal finishes. They will add a unique “wow factor.”

The names of finish options will vary depending on the supplier. Here are some of the more common ones you’ll find:

- Brushed or Polished Nickel
- Matte Black
- Chrome
- Gold or Brushed Gold
- Polished or Satin Brass
- Oil Rubbed Bronze

Finish names can vary though. For example, Hudson Valley Lighting uses different descriptors like “aged” or “historic” to describe their antique finishes.

Tip: When choosing your finishes, keep in mind that they don’t need to match. You are looking for fixtures to complement one another. However, if matching is important to you, consider purchasing all your fixtures and accessories from one manufacturer. This will ensure that the finish options are consistent throughout your home.

Lighting Finishes

ROBINSON Lighting and Bath Showrooms carry a wide variety of brands at different price points. Most of them have extensive finish options to suit any style.

Your personal style and budget will help guide the choices you make.

Here are some of Monique’s favourites.

Abrams Chandelier from Hudson Valley

The Abrams is a bold chandelier that mixes two beautiful metal finishes: black and either Aged Brass or Polished Nickel. The mixture creates a contrast that stands out in a modern home.

 

Cullen’s 13 Light Linear Chandelier from Kichler

Kichler carries a similar chandelier with a frame to give it an even more defined shape. The Cullen chandelier is available in both Olde Bronze and Classic Pewter. The simple design is complemented by the metal finishes on the arms and candlesticks.

 

Bathroom Fixture Finishes

Whether you want your fixtures to stand out or quietly complement the features of your bathroom, most suppliers offer a wide range of choices..

Here are some of Monique’s top picks for plumbing fixtures in striking finishes.

The Jason Wu for Brizo Collection

This collection stands out for its modern simplicity. Fixtures are available in Matte Black (very popular, easy to clean, bold), Brushed Nickel (elegant, eye-catching), and Polished Chrome (versatile, classic).

Each piece complements the others in style and function.

 

The Square Wallmount Cascading Tub Spout by Aquabrass

This fixture has a look of luxury yet maintains its simple design. Water pours out and over the edge like a waterfall. It comes in the always popular Chrome and Brushed Nickel for a more sophisticated look.

The Alteo Widespread Lavatory Faucet from Kohler

The Alteo is a bathroom showstopper. This sleek design comes in three finishes, Vibrant Nickel, Polished Chrome, and Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Come See these Finishes with your Own Eyes

It’s convenient to see fixtures and finishes online, however it’s an entirely different experience to see them in reality. The light reflecting off the finish, the impact of seeing and touching the product, plus the dimensions of the object are details you can only appreciate in person.

Once you have a design direction, a spark, then seeing that vision come to life and interact with other fixtures and finishes is the next step.

That’s why Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre provides the ultimate showroom experience that will give you many opportunities to visualize that special fixture in your space. More importantly, you will be in an environment where you are able to mix finishes, styles and come up with a design style that is uniquely yours.

This post was written in collaboration with Monique Gorda of Canterbury Homes Inc. Based in the Edmonton area, Monique and her husband Ian have a shared dedication to quality that has influenced every aspect of their work and relationships with their clients. Their innovative design solutions, quality materials, professional craftsmanship and client-centred service have been at the very centre of Canterbury’s success. Click here to find out more about Canterbury Homes.