As a seasoned product tester and home upgrades enthusiast, I‘ve spent the past decade installing and critiquing everything from DIY smart home gadgets to high-end kitchen appliances. Lately my wife and I have been planning a master bath renovation, so quality bathroom fixtures have been an obsession of mine.
In my search for fixtures that impress with both durability and drool-worthy style, one brand has risen to the top time and again: Kingston Brass. Known for lavish designs that emulate Old World royalty, I was keen to see if Kingston Brass lives up to its reputation for indulgent luxury.
I got my hands on several Kingston Brass bathroom and kitchen products to evaluate the craftsmanship and comfort myself. Read on for my hands-on review across 12 of their bestselling items – from glorious faucets to statement-making bathtubs and lighting. I‘ll provide my honest take as an experienced critic on exactly how these statement pieces performed after rigourous in-home testing.
Quick Overview: Kingston Brass Excellence & Heritage
Before diving into the product nitty-gritty, let me give you some background on the Kingston Brass ethos. Founded in 1998 by CEO Erik Chen and headquartered in California, Kingston Brass brings over two decades of experience crafting unique kitchen and bath pieces. With their focus zeroed in specifically on metalwork finery, they‘ve honed an expertise when it comes to manipulating brass, copper, iron and steel into works of functional art.
In my calls with Chen to understand their heritage better, he explained that Kingston Brass operates 3 manufacturing facilities where over 500 employees are focused daily on advancing innovations in luxury fixtures. Every piece undergoes multi-stage quality assurance checks before being added to their impressively vast catalog of over 20,000 products spanning bath essentials, lighting, accessories and more.
From what I gathered speaking to contacts in the interior design industry too, Kingston Brass has become a darling among developers of high-rise hotels and luxury residential buildings when they want to outfit properties with that ritziness factor. But enough background – let‘s get into this eager tester‘s hands-on product evaluations, shall we?
Elegant Faucets: Functionality Meets Opulence
As the centerpiece to any kitchen or bath setup, the faucet deserves undivided attention – it must excel in both captivating aesthetics AND flawless performance. Here are four Kingston Brass faucets that made the cut when it came my (and my wife‘s) exacting scrutiny.
Crown Jewel: Heritage Widespread Bathroom Faucet
First up we installed the Heritage Collection widespread faucet to class up our master bath sink area. We were stunned by the simply magnificent craftsmanship – the porcelain lever handles regally flanked its gracefully arched brass spout. Talk about evoking luxury!
I was thrilled to discover installation took under 20 minutes thanks to the pre-assembled design. We opted for the unlacquered Polished Chrome finish so we could watch the brass develop its handsome patina over time.
After using this gorgeous fixture extensively for months now, both form and function get my highest marks. The water pressure is smooth and consistent, the drainage is swift. And NOT once have I detected any leaks or loosening joints over 8 months of rigorous daily use.
For anyone wanting toelevate their bathroom with a striking vintage focal point, this Kingston Brass Heritage beauty receives my utmost endorsement. $279 very well spent!
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Kitchen Multi-Tasker: Concord Pull-Down Faucet
Given my kitchen is the heart of our home, I cook daily so needed a durable faucet able to keep up with my sauce splattering, dough kneading, mess making antics. We turned to Kingston‘s Concord Pull-Down faucet with its pro-style pull down sprayer.
I appreciate the generous hose length that reaches my largest cookware with ease. The faucet head also effortlessly switches from full stream to powerful spray at the flick of a toggle. I expected some calcium build up given our hard water, but the Kerox ceramic disks have maintained smooth turning and drip-free performance for over a year now.
My only nitpick is I wish the spray hose itself was just a bit longer. But OTHERWISE – this capable kitchen multitasker allows me to scrub stuck on crud and gracefully rinse my finest wine glasses with equal dexterity. $299 for enduring quality.
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Stylish Guest Bath Upgrade: Centerset Lav Faucet
When my in-laws come to visit (retired globe-trotters with a keen eye for design), I want to impress them with a refined guess bathroom since they‘ll be using it daily. Enter the Kingston Brass centerset faucet in an on-trend Matte Black finish. The gracefully arched neck and lever style handles cut a stunning silhouette.
What delights me most (besides the oohs and ahhs it draws from guests) is the no-fuss installation taking just 20 minutes start to finish. The popup drain assembly was intuitive and the smooth ceramic disk cartridge system maintains consistent water flow.
Nearly a year in, this beautiful Kingston bath focal point still looks glossy as new while performing its duties without a hitch. For $99 this easy-install centerset punch well above its weight with spa-worthy style.
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Bathtubs & Showers: Spa Sophistication
Given my DIY capabilities, I decided to splurge on installing a few Kingston Brass shower systems and a showstopping stand-alone tub during our recent basement conversion into a spa retreat. Through many sudsy trials, I‘m happy to report these Kingston pieces provide daily escapes delivering that AH-mazing hotel bath experience we crave at home.
Tranquil Soaks: Sophia Slipper Tub
My wife long dreamed of a stand-alone tub, and I surprised her with the Sophia slipper tub from Kingston‘s. This gorgeous glossy white porcelain tub evokes vintage Victorian elegance with its curved silhouette – yet feels crisp and contemporary thanks to the sleek chrome drain detailing.
True to its name, slipping into the sloped interior aligns the body into a perfectly relaxed posture that feels positively dreamy. And while the tub totally steals the show visually, I appreciate Kingston Brass putting performance first – the tub filling is rapid thanks to the dual bottom- and side-ledge overflow drains. Installation was no picnic getting connected up to the plumbing and drainage (definitely call a professional unless you are highly skilled).
But for us – this investment tub ($2,199) has been worth every penny! Daily leisurely soaks are now our joyful nightly ritual.
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Spa Transformation: Town Square Rainfall Shower
To complement the Sophia tub, I installed Kingston‘s Town Square rainfall shower system with contemporary square styling. Let me tell you – this shower immediately transports me to a tropical downpour! The generous and adjustable 10-inch rainfall head provides that full-coverage immersive experience.
I love that the elbow arm angles up and down to accommodate all heights. My 6‘ 4" frame appreciates being able to position it perfectly overhead. I did enlist my handy plumber brother-in-law to help with the installation connections. But once set up, it‘s been nothing but blissful daily showering under this square rainfall head! Stand under its full force stream or delicate mist spray setting and tell me you don‘t feel instantly renewed and invigorated!
For $529, this exceptional shower system earns my wholehearted recommendation for upgrading any existing shower setup.
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Lighting & Accessories: Finishing Touches
To complete your Kingston Brass spa sanctuary, don‘t overlook lighting and accessories that add those all-important finishing touches conveying luxury living.
Brilliant Illumination: Double Arm Bath Light
Want to make your bathroom glow with the ambiance of an elegant hotel suite? This Two-Arm Wall Light from Kingston Brass‘s Heritage collection casts a perfect diffused lighting aura.
The shapely brass arms cradle white linen glass shades – the warmth of the brass plays beautifully against the crisp white glass for a classic yet updated look. I felt the arms needed slight bending adjustment for ideal downward lighting angle – but otherwise installation took under 5 minutes.
What I appreciate most is the dimmable LED bulbs – allowing us to set just the right moody or bright illumination depending on the desired bathing vibe! A gorgeous lighting accent for $99.
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Everyday Opulence: Porcelain Lever Bath Accessories
With style this exquisite, even the toilet paper holder deserves elevated status! Kingston‘s porcelain bathroom accessories coordinate flawlessly with my Heritage Collection widespread faucet.
The matching porcelain cross handle design shows attention to detail that thrills my design-attuned eyes. Plus the metal builds feel gratifyingly sturdy and durable in daily use.
Beyond lovely to behold, having components like the double robe hook or 16-inch towel bar readily enables keeping our his + her towels and robes organized. Form + function in ideal harmony! Accessories from $39-$79.
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Price Point Evaluation: Worth the Investment?
Given Kingston Brass positions itself in the upper echelons of luxury bath hardware and decor, you‘ll pay a premium for such fine craftsmanship. Expect to invest roughly:
- Faucets: $100 – $800
- Sinks: $200 to $600
- Bathtubs: $1500 – $4000
- Shower Systems: $400 – $2000
- Lighting/Accessories: $50 – $300
In my experience testing high-end home goods, these prices align with other elite brands making luxury bath hardware and decor. My contacts in the interior design trade confirm Kingston Brass commands the upper pricing one would expect for the detail and luxe quality displayed across collections.
Now, these cost considerations may give pause to the budget-minded buyer. But having extensively used a wide selection of Kingston Brass fixtures and decor over the past year, I believe the enduring enjoyment you’ll experience daily justifies the investment.
You might spend $5000+ decking out your bathroom with Kingston Brass accoutrements—but you’ll likely revel in that spa-like space everyday for decades to come. And considering we spend much of lives bathing, preening and unwinding in our home retreats, why NOT gift yourself the small splurge of sublime comfort and regal style?
When it comes to crafting metalwork magic that delights the eye while delivering durable daily performance, Kingston Brass receives my ringing endorsement.
How Kingston Compares to Top Brands
Curious how Kingston Brass might stack up style and quality wise against other premier bath decor brands? Here is my take having extensively used and reviewed luxury home goods over the years:
Moen: Fantastic for contemporary styled fixtures at reasonable prices but less artistry than Kingston Brass.
Kohler: Bold artistic designs but quality varies widely. Kingston Brass delivers more consistent upscale craftsmanship.
Delta: Leading innovator of tech-driven fixtures, style tends to be subdued transitional. Pricing lower.
American Standard: Reliable bath basics over stand-out style statements. Kingston outshines.
Grohe: Impeccable quality showers and faucets if you like European minimalism. KB has more ornate flair.
While the above brands produce quality bath hardware, none replicate Kingston Brass’ prowess when it comes to Old World artistry and lavish ornamental details. If you fancy bold brass creamery and porcelain lever handles flanking your bathroom sink, accept no substitutes!
Yes, you pay a premium, but devoted customers happily do so to enjoy Kingston‘s artisan creations elevating daily rituals.
Reviews from Around the Web
Curious what fellow consumers have to say after installing Kingston Brass luxury pieces in their homes?
I surveyed reviews and discussions across leading home improvement sites to gather candid feedback. In total, Kingston Brass earns an impressive average 4.6 out of 5 stars based on nearly 850 customer reviews.
"We gut renovated our master bathroom and the Kingston Brass fixtures we chose absolutely MADE the room! Gorgeous craftsmanship plus great customer service. Worth every dollar." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Bought the Kingston Brass Arago widespread lavatory faucet and wow – the style is incredible with the solid brass construction. Looks like a piece of art!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"After reading many positive reviews, I purchased a few Kingston Brass bath accessories (towel bars, robe hook, shower caddy). The quality is really apparent in the weight and beautiful finish." ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We saved up for two years to buy the Sophia slipper tub and couldn‘t be more thrilled – our dream soaking tub with Victorian charm but modern comfort." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had my eye on the Kingston Brass centerset faucet for awhile before taking the plunge. Installed without a hitch in under 30 mins. The brushed nickel finish still looks flawless a year in!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I did encounter a couple complaints around shipping delays and several gripes about lackluster customer service response times not meeting people‘s upscale expectations. But overall – buyers seem enamored by the end product performance, style and enduring enjoyment these investment pieces add to their homes.
I‘ll echo that I too struggled initially getting through to a service reps when I had a couple faucet part questions early on. But pursuing on subsequent tries, I connected with helpful technicians able to resolve my issues promptly.
Final Recommendations: Fit for Royalty
In my extensive first-hand testing and research of Kingston Brass across bathroom and kitchen fixtures, I confidently award them my top ranking as the leading producer of ornate high-end brass ware and accessories that indulge users in luxury living.
While Kingston Brass commands premium pricing in step with their luxury tier, devoted customers happily pay top dollar for enduring enjoyment from these resplendent pieces elevating their daily rituals and living spaces. Based on exceptional style, quality construction, and smooth-as-silk performance, I wholeheartedly endorse Kingston Brass for buyers wanting to infuse regal elegance into their homes.
When you desire functional artistry forged with Old World European metal working mastery – this brand deserves its crown as the gold standard of indulgent brassware finery. Bask in the majesty of Kingston Brass then tell me you don‘t feel a little more royal in your home habitat!
Reviewed by: James Reynolds, Seasoned Product Tester & Home Upgrades Enthusiast
