Going Copper: Warming Up the Kitchen

by Gabby Hyman
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

It's comforting to know that you don't have to scrap your kitchen with a budget-wrenching makeover to give it a warm and attractive look. Let's be frank: a cosmetic overhaul of a kitchen where space has proven inadequate -- where cabinets and accessories are busted -- is like painting lipstick on a tired sow. But a cosmetic change of hardware and accessories in a functional space can bless your kitchen with new life. Antique copper hardware is among the favorite choices for lending a kitchen an inviting glow. Copper knobs and pulls, basket weave patterns, pumpkin knobs, and reed finger accessories cost much less than a complete kitchen overhaul. You can employ these copper accents and accessories sparingly, or install copper sinks and hammered copper stove hoods to completely transform your space.

Kitchen Hardware and Facades Work Magic

Copper cabinet pulls can be installed instantly with set screws from the rear of cabinets and drawers. While easy to install, these cabinet pulls give a realistic old-school look on the outside. Copper hardware, Tuscan style knobs, and pulls radiate warmth and change their appearance depending on interior lighting and the sunshine streaming through your windows.

If you want to spend more money, you can add antique copper countertops or copper backsplashes for your sinks. Copper not only lends a deep, mellow feeling to the kitchen space, but copper facades and accessories are known to repel germs. You might consider a kitchen vent hood cover or pre-made copper facades for most makes of dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers. You can install some of the facades yourself, or hire an experienced contractor to help with the transformation.

Sinks are never inexpensive, but you can complete the copper makeover with a farmhouse sink. Artisan sinks and kitchen sink accessories come in hammered heavy gauge finishes, from smooth-spun to heavily weathered touches.

About the Author
Gabby Hyman has written for print and online media for more than 20 years. He has created online content for eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Avaya, and Nissan UK. He has also been a web consultant to the Governor of California. As an author of fiction, journalism, and poetry, Gabby is a former English professor for the University of Illinois, University of Alaska, and Old Dominion University. He holds an MFA in fiction writing from the University of Alabama.