Newport Brass, the California-based maker of solid brass fixtures, has unveiled a brand relaunch that honors its artisanal heritage while embracing a contemporary approach to luxury living. Founded in 1989, the company has built its reputation on craftsmanship, quality materials and elegant design. Each piece, made from solid brass and hand-finished by skilled artisans, reflects the company’s belief that everyday objects should be as enduring as they are beautiful.
How would you describe the designs/style of Newport Brass fixtures?
Beyond function, every piece is a sculptural statement meant to anchor a space with confidence and be cherished in daily life with thoughtful design. There is an emphasis on classic timeless designs; designs that are relevant, yet intentional and enduring. A good example here is East Linear and Chesterfield, both differing in style but timeless in their own right.
Newport Brass emphasizes craftsmanship – what is involved in crafting these fixtures?
Designed to age gracefully, these fixtures blend timeless elegance with modern form. In every detail, Newport Brass honors a legacy of craftsmanship that is rare and exceptional. At Newport Brass, craftsmanship means taking a hands-on approach to every fixture we make. Our products are made to order and produced through a high-touch, low-automation process. Most of the work happens in-house at our California facility, where we handle everything from brass shaping and machining to finishing and assembly. Many steps, like polishing, assembly and some finish applications, are still done completely by hand. This allows us to maintain tight quality control and deliver a product that reflects true attention to detail at every stage.
Brass is in the title. What does it represent for the brand’s identity?
Brass represents both the durability and beauty that define our brand. It’s a material with a rich history: strong, enduring and designed to age gracefully over time. For us, it symbolizes our commitment to craftsmanship and timeless design. Each piece we create is meant to anchor a space, growing richer with age rather than fading with trends. Including “brass” in our name reinforces that promise of longevity and quality; it signals the level of material integrity and luxury our customers can expect from every fixture we make.
What makes brass such a compelling material for fixtures compared to other metals?
In an environment where the loudest design voices can receive a larger share of immediate attention, it’s understandable to want to follow that blueprint. When we prioritize longevity over immediacy and willingly look past instant gratification, we start making different types of design decisions, trading timeliness for something that will ultimately be timeless. Brass is uniquely suited for luxury plumbing fixtures because it combines strength, corrosion resistance and malleability in a way few other metals can. As an alloy of copper and zinc, the precise ratio determines the quality and performance of the final material, offering both durability and a natural resistance to rust. Rather than corroding, brass develops a subtle patina over time, adding character and depth to the finish. It also carries inherent antimicrobial properties, making it as practical as it is beautiful. From a manufacturing standpoint, brass is remarkably versatile. It can be machined, cast, forged or stamped — allowing designers and craftsmen to achieve both intricate detailing and architectural precision. For a brand like Newport Brass, that versatility translates into creative freedom and a broader finish offering. We currently offer 22 unique finishes across our entire portfolio, with about a third requiring brass as the base metal so our artisans can age and patina it to achieve the desired tone and texture. It’s that combination of material integrity, performance and expressive possibility that makes brass an enduring choice for design at the highest level.