Picking finishes is the fun part of a remodel, until the shower trim shows up in a slightly different black than the faucet, or the toilet you picked is on backorder the week the tile setter is booked. We have learned to make those calls early, and we lean on our supplier, Ferguson, to do it.

Our Ferguson rep has helped us track down matte black toilets that were hard to find, quote wall-hung toilets, and pull together appliance packages. On a condo job, our Ferguson rep put together the appliance, laundry and HVAC package for a set of units. The rep has also quoted sinks for a restaurant job and helped us with partition drawings. Here is what we have picked up along the way, for homeowners in Hoboken and across Hudson County.

Matte black vs. gold and brass

Both are popular right now, and both can look great. They just behave differently.

Matte black

Pros: Bold contrast against white or light gray tile. Fingerprints and wet water spots tend to show less than on polished chrome. Works with modern and industrial looks.
Cons: Dried hard-water spots can show up as pale specks on a dark surface, so it does best when you wipe it down. How the black is made matters. Many matte black fixtures are powder coated, and that coating can chip or scuff at edges and handles over time. PVD (physical vapor deposition) finishes are generally harder and more scratch resistant. No finish is scratch-proof, though, and a deep scratch on black can show as a bright line.
Pairs well with: White marble-look tile, gray concrete-look tile, white or light wood cabinets, and black window frames.

Gold and brass

Pros: Warm, a little dressy, and it shows off against dark vanities, black tile or white shaker cabinets. A brushed texture tends to hide spots and light wear.
Cons: "Gold" is not a standard color. One brand's brushed gold can look champagne next to another brand's warmer, more yellow brass. Unlacquered brass is a "living finish." It darkens and develops a patina where hands touch it, which some people love and some don't. PVD gold finishes are generally made to hold their color.
Pairs well with: Black or dark vanities, white stone-look counters, white or navy cabinets, and marble-look tile.

Bathroom vanity with gold faucet and gold pulls, white stone-look top, gold-framed lighted mirror and black marble-look floor tile — A New Jersey bathroom we finished: dark vanity with gold faucet and pulls, a white stone-look top, a gold-framed lighted mirror and black marble-look floor tile.

Ask what process is behind the finish you are looking at. A spec sheet or your supplier can usually tell you, and it is worth knowing before you commit a whole house to it.

Keeping finishes consistent across the whole house

The rooms that look "off" usually aren't off because of one bad choice. Usually three slightly different blacks or golds ended up next to each other.

Stay in one fixture family. Faucet, shower trim, tub filler and accessories from the same manufacturer's collection are made to match. Even within one brand, different product lines can vary, so check the collection, not just the brand.
Watch the undertones. Warm golds lean yellow or amber. Cooler golds lean champagne. Blacks can read slightly blue, brown or gray in person. Put real samples next to your tile and cabinet doors under your own lighting, not just on a phone screen.
Pick a lead metal. Mixing can work, like black fixtures with gold cabinet pulls. Pick one main finish for everything wet, then use a second one on purpose.
Order from one line, at one time. When our Ferguson rep quotes a bathroom or a kitchen as one package, it's easier to catch a mismatched finish code before anything ships.

Frameless glass shower with black handle, hinges and handheld hose, black towel bar and large gray tile — Another New Jersey bathroom: frameless glass shower with black hardware, a matching black towel bar, a white mosaic shower floor and large gray tile.

Check stock and lead times before demo

This is where schedules get saved or blown. Before we take a room apart, we want the key items confirmed.

Special orders. Some colors, finishes and sizes are made to order or stocked only in certain warehouses. Matte black toilets were a good example for us. Ask early.
Backorders. An item that shows "available" online can still be backordered. Get a confirmed ship date, not a guess.
Rough-in valves have to match the trim. A shower valve goes in the wall long before the trim goes on. Valve bodies generally only accept trim made for that brand's system, so the valve and the trim you want have to be chosen together. Switching brands later can mean opening the finished wall.
Wall-hung toilets need planning. The carrier and tank go inside the wall, and many systems call for deeper framing, such as 2x6, at specific spacing. That gets decided at framing, not at trim-out.
Have it on site or confirmed. For the items that drive the schedule (valves, toilets, tubs, vanities, appliances), we like to have them delivered or firmly scheduled before demolition starts.

Kitchen with white shaker cabinets and gold pulls, mosaic backsplash, stainless range and refrigerator, and a white stone-look island — A New Jersey kitchen we finished: white shaker cabinets with gold pulls, a mosaic backsplash, stainless appliances and a white stone-look island.

Why a supplier rep beats shopping online alone

You can buy a lot online, and sometimes that's fine. On a full remodel, working through a rep at a supplier like Ferguson usually saves us trouble.

Real availability. A rep can check stock and lead times across locations and suggest a close match when something is stuck.
Parts that go together. Valves, trims, cartridges, carriers, drains and finish codes get matched by someone who does it every day.
Returns and problems. If a piece arrives damaged or wrong, there is a person to call. Special-order items often can't be returned, or come with fees, so ask before you order.
Spec sheets. We need rough-in dimensions and framing requirements before walls close, and so do inspectors. A rep can pull them fast.
Commercial and multi-unit packages. For condos, rentals or a restaurant, one quote for appliances, laundry, HVAC, sinks or partitions keeps everything coordinated.

Hire a licensed, insured general contractor

New Jersey requires Home Improvement Contractor registration for this kind of work. Look for a contractor who is registered, carries insurance, pulls permits in their name, and puts the scope and selections in writing. Hoboken GC LLC is licensed and insured, NJ Home Improvement Contractor License #13VH13409900. We are open 24/7 and serve Hoboken and all of Hudson County. You can reach us at hobokengc2023@gmail.com or on Instagram at @hoboken_gc_llc.

Ready to pick finishes for your remodel?

Call us at (201) 815-4260 or request a free estimate at hobokengc.com. We will walk the space with you, help you narrow down finishes, and confirm the key items with our Ferguson rep before anything comes out.