You may remember me rambling on about my copper counter in a previous house and how I want another in the one I just bought. Well yesterday it was set in motion. I am thrilled since I was having some trouble.
I couldn't find the metalsmith who made it last time and had a line on another who hasn't responded to an email he asked me to send. So not impressed with that. Then the decorator mentioned the company she uses for things like stove hoods so I went to pay a visit. Low and behold, there is the guy who made my counter the last time! He has his own business now.
He's going to make me my counter and a diamond cushion backsplash (like the attached picture but I'll keep my stainless sink and taps...maybe I should ask him what adding a sink would cost?). One thing, his price has gone up with him being more high end now (and he has more expertise as I really got the feeling mine was his first 10 years ago). So he costed it out and I said 'go ahead' so he'll be out to measure and such when I get the house and I should have my counter early in June.
Better yet, I took the same dimensions to a place that makes counters right after to compare. If I got the counter out of the formica etchings (the stuff I have now) it would cost the same as the copper. So no biggie that the copper has gone up as it is still one of the most econimical counters around (and being indestructable and beautious gives it big points in my book).
What's really cool is it can be attached right on top of the existing counter so I don't have to do much of anything except clear the backsplash tiles away (although I may deepen the counter by adding some wood so the it will be closer to standard).
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That is too bad DBD as I know you really had your heart set on it.
I love the copper.
copper used to be really affordable (even up until last year it wasn't more than formica). My first copper countertop cost $300....and that is when a formica would have cost $1000. At this rate though it will be less expensive to use gold pretty soon.
That is too bad DBD. I was wondering how a counter top in copper could possibly be affordable. Copper prices have gone through the roof. Our electrical was twice the price it would have been, because of the copper prices.
I guess that is a project for when you win the lottery. :)
Magnolia, there is another thread after this one where I moan and cry because when I finally called the metalsmith to go ahead with the copper it had gone from $1400 to over $4000. It is just too bad I stalled (doing other things) and I didn't get it in 2006 because the price of copper went absolutely crazy in the time it took from my first quote until I ordered. I'm still heartbroken but ended up having a butcherblock counter installed a few weeks ago instead.
As for a ss sink. I had the copper with a ss sink in my first house. Not great but okay. Adding a copper sink does add quite a bit to a counter price as they are more fiddly to make.
That Copper counter and backsplash is fantastic.
DBD are you getting the copper sink? It is very nice. I can't see the counter with a SS sink in it. It would change the look quite a bit.
I am looking forward to the photos.
If you are looking for a metal countertop (any type), the best place to start is the yellow pages under 'sheet metal' or 'metal fabricators' or 'steel fabricators' or 'restaurant suppliers' and see what the ads say. Metalsmiths can make anything but some specialize in different things (like duct work or gutters). some will make whatever you like including counters. Occasionally there are also specialists who do restaurants and they also will do counters for homes. Sometimes you will also see them listed under 'counters' in the yellowpages and if you see a place that seems to have a lot of different surface types, it's worth a call to see if they also do metals.
I had zero luck with kitchen stores or big box stores as they seem to only want to deal in what they can cut and fit themselves and metal is definitely custom. Designers on the other hand do know who does good work so if you have a line to one of those, ask who they recommend.
When I got my first one (and only one since the price went nuts) I asked at a store that happened to have metal counters and they told me who made theirs.
Also do google and see if anyone in your area has a site with prices etc. Here I only found two of the dozens that actually do counters have sites.
One thing is for sure, they are not hard to make (for a metalsmith) so any competent smith can do them. What starts to separate the specialists is backsplashes which can be done with patterns and such on them. For sure check prices as they seem to vary depending on how much of an 'artiste' someone considers themselves.
Hi!
I'm just in the process of researching stainless steel oountertops. You seem to know a lot about them - what are your sources that you used? Websites? Stores? Thanks!!! :) :)
Sorry :laugh: the article was really focused on copper sinks and faucets .Sorry I looked for it but it went in the recylcing truck :)
Oh Bigmama say it isn't so. I'll just scream if it becomes a trend as one of the attractions for me is it is different and not dateable (you know how there are just some things you can see and know exactly when they were installed or are indicative of a particular era). Hopefully this one won't quite catch with the masses.
What struck me as funny trying to find the metalsmith is the number of people (who might know suppliers etc.) who seemed to think I should just get the immitation metal sheets that are out there (which to me was silly as they are pretty costly and can be very delicate compared to the real deal). So it seems to me some may write the stuff off before even investigating much. Fingers crossed so I can be selfish.
This happened to me once before with a paint colour. I painted my house and loved it and about 4 years later it became the hot colour in a lot of places. The problem for me came in seeing it everywhere and suddenly my house lost it's uniqueness to me and it was back to the drawing board.
So, to everyone who might be considering it (outside this forum of course as we are special) the word has to be that copper is not a good idea okay?
I like that copper countertop and backsplash... :)
you know I read an article the last week on copper sinks etc. and you may be ahead of the new trend that is about to come!! :applaud:
wow the copper is going to give your kitchen a stunning look :applaud: good for you that you were able to find this guys
smiles
janetc
Oh looks just fantastic! This is going to be one great house! Yay for you!!!
DBD...your kitchen will look fabulous!!
That is fabulous I remember talking about it and I am going to show thisto DH as he wasn't sure that is what he wanted but I am sure this is exactly what we wanted. Price point how is it compared to granite.
I LOVE the copper countertop & backsplash in the picture you posted!! I've seen some other pics of copper countertops, and I have to say, I think they look fantastic. I've suggested copper countertops to my hubby, but he thinks it's a crazy idea. Well, :p to him!!
Good to hear that your search for a copper countertop was successful, DBD :)
That is really innovative......your kitchen will be outstanding.....lucky you...and good job with your research.....and re-connecting with the installer........sounds like it will not take long to do..... so please show us your finished pictures when it is done....................... :D :applaud:
I think it looks fabulous counter top and backsplash!
Copper is a really durable counter material. There is nothing you can do to hurt it (other than maybe banging it with a hammer and that will only make dents but still not ruin it). You can cut on it, put hot pots on it or whatever. bacteria also doesn't survive on it. Apparently even stainless can harbour bacteria in it's scratches but copper doesn't ( I just learned that one). I got the idea after seeing it used in a candy shop to roll out fudge and such. So it looks nice (has a real mood to it) and is a perfect work surface.
For upkeep you just basicaly clean it with soap. That allows the colour to keep a patina and it will get darker and darker and will go from a bright to dark green where water hits it. When it's new it's like a shiny penny and you can always get that look back by just brushing some ketchup on it. That takes all the tanish right off again. If it gets scratched it can be buffed out with an SOS pad (stainless needs heavy sanding to do that). You can also sand it to make a brushed pattern or buff it back to make it smooth. What you do have to like is something that changes all of the time and probably never looks perfect. It always has subtle differences in it's colour from water or whiping or whatever unless you coat it (but that blows the easy care aspect).
The backsplash is also copper and they can make pretty much any pattern a person wants. The nice part is we'll measure the distance from counter to cupboard and work it out so the diamonds are evenly spaced. If I need 3" or 3.25" diamonds for instance, they can adjust so it fits and has full diamonds. is nice because you can have a pattern and there are no seams or grout or anything, it's all one sheet of metal.
You can also do neat things like have nail heads made to go along the edges or have it hammered (not so good on the counter itself), and have it made to fit odd spaces. Basically it's so plyable they can do just about anything with it.
I had one before and loved how easy it was to live with. It's also very warm looking compared to stainless. The other thing I really liked is no one would know if it was brand new or 80 years old as it's one of those materials that has always been used. So, it doesn't ever look dated but does look unique.
That you found the same guy after 10 years. I am curious, what are the advantages to this copper and what is the upkeep like. I am sure it would be nice looking. What is the cushioned backspash being made of, or is this also copper.