Enhance Your Space with Granite Copper-toned Elegance
The past few weeks, we looked at a kitchen that was definitely unique and older than the typical ones we normally see. Today though, we’re going to switch gears back to something a little bit more typical with a granite countertop. However, even though this countertop system may have a little bit more contemporary design details, there’s a very interesting design element to the base cabinets built below the countertop. These cabinets are clad with a copper sheet metal. The countertop happens to complement and reflect some of the aesthetic qualities of the copper sheet metal, but overall it has a very unique style.
All together, the entire countertop and cabinet assembly has a very warm color, and the red oak wood at the countertop to the left, shown below, also melds and blends well with that warm effect. All together, there’s three different classifications of material here: granite stone, copper sheet metal, and red oak wood. Although these elements are completely disparate in their type and class of material, they complement each other and work very well from an aesthetic perspective.
Although red oak is called “red”, in the name, it’s not really a bright or distinct red, it’s just a slightly more red color than white oak or many other woods like white pine. Here though, that slightly red color blends well against the copper metal and the copper color veining in the granite countertop.
The countertop is a 3 cm thick pencil edge polished countertop with a natural Earth tone color. There are deep copper tone colors inside of that granite stone matrix. Unlike many types of solid surface countertops, this particular granite stone is natural. That means it occurs in nature over thousands or even millions of years. Stone like this is generally harvested by being cut from massive amounts of similar stone from large quarries. One quarry, for example, may produce many thousands of countertop type slabs that are very similar to one another, all with some variation.
Like a snowflake, there will never be two slabs which are exactly the same. The veining and visual differences or anomalies in the surface are unique.
3 cm is over 1 in thick and is relatively common, but there’s also an even more common 2 cm thick type of countertop which feels and appears much thinner and is not only thinner but cheaper. It also feels cheap and lower quality, to most people.
The copper sheet metal used to clad the back of the cabinets and shelving below the countertop has a natural finish, with a patina that has been achieved over time. In a typical kitchen, other than an island or peninsula, the backs of the base cabinets are generally hidden, facing the wall. In this case though the back of the base cabinets happen to be exposed and therefore the decorative application of copper sheeting helps dress that otherwise unfinished area.
This natural patina hasn’t yet reached the deep blue colors commonly associated with copper and brass, but at this point the copper panels have a varied visual aesthetic at the surface which is common with oxidizing metals. Some people think this might look raw and dirty, but some other people meanwhile appreciate the unfinished natural aesthetic because it looks authentic and real, unlike an over manufactured material which looks more plasticky and fake.
The picture above, shows the slightly rounded top countertop edge. The lower countertop edge has the same profile. Overall, the countertop has a polished finish. We’ve also, in the past, looked at other countertops with a honed or leather type finish.
Those countertops are more like what might be described as a matte or dull finish. Even though dull does not sound good, it actually doesn’t look bad, as it is paired with certain types of other finishes. Not all surfaces look good with a shiny finish and sometimes that matte finish looks more natural. It’s rare to find shining things in nature and generally a high degree of sheen is an indication of manufacturing or processing, even when applied by hand, as often is the case with paint. In a future blog article, we’ll come back and look at this particular kitchen, again .
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project. If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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