What turns a piece of brass into something you will use every day for years to come? For Francone, the answer begins in the workshop, where solid brass taps are shaped by skilled hands, specialist knowledge and a respect for traditional metalworking.
Francone brings together Northern Italian artisan manufacturing with an appreciation of traditional British design. Rather than treating brassware as an anonymous finishing touch, we see every tap, shower and fitting as part of the character of a room.
Step inside the making process and you begin to understand why artisan brassware feels different. The material matters, but so do the people who work with it.
Where Francone solid brass taps begin
Francone works directly with specialist workshops in Northern Italy, where knowledge of brass manufacturing and finishing has been developed over generations. The relationship between design and making is central to the process. A drawing may define a form, but an experienced artisan understands how that form needs to work in metal.
Solid brass gives the workshop a strong, substantial starting material. Its weight and durability suit fittings designed for daily use in kitchens and bathrooms. It also has a visual warmth that becomes particularly important when the surface is left unlacquered.
Many Francone pieces are made to order, rather than produced as anonymous items on a vast production line. This allows standard designs to sit alongside custom changes and bespoke configurations where a project or space calls for something different.
The result is a collection that feels connected by material and design language without removing the individuality that comes from artisan production. To explore the wider philosophy behind this approach, see our guide to working with artisans on bespoke brass taps.
What happens inside an artisan brass workshop?
A finished tap may look effortless, but it passes through several stages before it is ready to leave the workshop. Brass components are formed and machined, then prepared for the required configuration and surface treatment. Depending on the design and finish, separate specialists may be involved at different points in the process.
Once the main components have been prepared, the surface becomes an important part of the work. Hand finishing gives an artisan the chance to respond to the metal rather than forcing every piece into a completely uniform appearance. Small tonal or surface differences are a natural part of this way of making.
Some finishes require additional workshop stages. Components can be separated for finishing and later reassembled before the completed fitting is checked. Function matters just as much as appearance, so the final stages are about bringing those elements together.
This way of working is slower and more involved than treating brassware as a disposable commodity. That is part of the point. The object is intended to become part of the home, not simply pass through it.
Why does solid brass make such a difference?
The choice of material shapes both how a tap performs and how it feels. Solid brass has a reassuring weight, and it has a long history in functional fittings because it combines durability with an ability to be formed, worked and finished in many different ways.
That material honesty is visible in designs such as the Francone BT1 Three-hole, deck-mounted basin tap solid brass. The brass is not simply a colour choice. It is fundamental to the construction and the character of the piece.
It also gives the workshop considerable freedom. Different forms, handle styles and configurations can all be developed around the same core material. This is one reason solid brass taps can work in settings ranging from a restrained contemporary bathroom to a traditional kitchen or country house.
For the client, that means the material does more than contribute to the first impression. It provides the foundation for a fitting designed to be used, touched and lived with.
How hand finishing gives every tap its character
Finishing is where the personality of brass becomes especially visible. An unlacquered brass surface is not sealed away from its surroundings. It can respond to air, moisture and touch, gradually developing a patina.
This change is not something the workshop tries to disguise. For many clients, it is one of the main reasons for choosing solid brass taps. A fitting can begin with a brighter appearance and settle into the room as it ages.
Because the surface is influenced by use and environment, no two installations will age in quite the same way. Areas touched frequently may develop differently from quieter parts of the fitting. The result feels personal to the home rather than frozen at the day of installation.
If this evolving quality appeals to you, our article on why Francone chooses unlacquered finishes explains more about the appeal of allowing brass to develop naturally.
Tumbled brass offers another expression of the material. Its softer, more weathered surface gives new brassware an established feel from the outset, while the unlacquered surface can continue to change with use. Our guide to the tumbled brass tap finish looks at this workshop process in more detail.
Made to order means working with people, not just products
One of the advantages of an artisan workshop is the ability to discuss a project in practical terms. Francone offers established designs, but custom requirements may include changes to dimensions, spout or arm lengths, handle selections and other details where the workshop confirms that the request is feasible.
This is why communication matters so much. A bespoke request needs clear dimensions, drawings or references before it moves forward. Designers, clients, the Francone team and the workshop all contribute information that helps turn the initial idea into a workable specification.
Some designs also highlight the hand-crafted nature of the visible details. The Francone BT68 Three-hole wall mounted taps with handcrafted Edwardian handles, for example, puts the character of its handles at the centre of the design.
That human involvement is part of what separates made-to-order brassware from buying solely by image. Proportion, mounting type, number of holes, spout reach, control style and finish all need to work together in the finished installation.
Why workshop variation is part of artisan craftsmanship
Handmade and hand-finished objects carry small variations. That is not a failure of the process. It is evidence that a material has passed through human hands rather than being designed to look untouched by making.
With living brass finishes, this individuality continues after installation. The workshop establishes the starting point, but the home becomes part of the story. Water, air, handling and cleaning habits can all influence the way an unlacquered surface develops.
For someone accustomed to highly uniform factory finishes, this can require a change in expectation. Artisan brassware should be viewed more like natural stone, timber or leather: the subtle variation is part of its appeal.
It is also why samples, finish references and conversations about ageing are useful during the design stage. Choosing brass is not only about selecting a colour for a mood board. It is about deciding how comfortable you are with a surface that can acquire more depth and individuality over time.
The lasting value of meeting the makers
Understanding how solid brass taps are made changes the way you look at the finished object. Behind the spout, handles and finish is a chain of decisions: the material, the design, the workshop skills, the surface treatment, the assembly and the final checks.
At Francone, those decisions connect Northern Italian artisan manufacturing with designs intended for thoughtful interiors. The aim is not to erase every trace of the making process. It is to create brassware with enough strength, warmth and character to become part of the room for years to come.
When choosing taps for a kitchen or bathroom, look beyond the silhouette alone. Consider what the fitting is made from, how the surface will behave and whether its character suits the materials around it. A well-chosen piece of brassware should feel at home not only on installation day, but as the room develops around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Francone solid brass taps made?
Francone works directly with specialist workshops in Northern Italy. The brand combines Northern Italian artisan manufacturing with a strong appreciation of traditional British design.
Are Francone brass taps made to order?
Many Francone pieces are made or finished for the individual client. Standard designs are available alongside custom changes and bespoke configurations, subject to workshop feasibility.
Will unlacquered solid brass taps change colour over time?
Yes. Unlacquered brass is a living surface and can develop a natural patina through exposure to air, water and touch. The way it develops will vary according to its environment and use.
Why can handmade brassware show small variations?
Hand finishing naturally creates subtle differences in tone and surface character. These variations are part of artisan production and help give each made-to-order piece its individual quality.
