the copper kitchen
This year’s interior trends are all pointing to one thing: copper.
Individual items
Why not experiment with a range of copper pots of varying sizes, seen throughout rural Italy as a touch of rural continental class?
Consider also a kettle, toaster or even cocktail shaker, mixing between antique chic and new items fresh from the shop.
Bolder statements
A splashback or countertop can complement minimally-styled cabinets in subtle shades of black, white, grey and even green. With its natural anti-microbial qualities, copper makes for a perfect material to fashion a sink from; while copper tiles mean you can subvert traditional designs with a bold, burnished twist.
Upcycling
You can even combine fashion with efficiency by upcycling – unlike iron or steel, copper is a soft metal that can be repurposed after years of use. Reclaimed traditional materials like old copper pipes can be used to make kitchen taps, while larger sheets can be fashioned into bar stools!
Maintain and marvel
The fear with copper items is that they will tarnish or oxidise, though sensible maintenance should mean any ageing over time only adds to the splendid rustic, red effect.
Never heat a dry copper pan. Instead, use warm water – this will prepare the pan for cooking which, given it heats up 20 times as quickly as its stainless steel counterpart, is a wise move!
Before polishing, use a soap and water solution; while lemon juice and salt (at a 3:1 ratio) provides a really good solution for ridding any oxidation marks, spots and smears.
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“It’s the metal of the moment, and combining understated lux, infinite cool and incredible functionality, its place is in the kitchen. ”