Full metal jacket: metals from aluminum to zinc are making the materials A-list in kitchen design

Custom Home, April, 2004 by Shelley D. Hutchins

Metal is making a comeback according to builder/ designer Deborah Malone, who has been styling custom kitchens for more than a decade. Lately, her clients either want an updated version of their grandmothers' kitchens or something ultra-contemporary. And metal fits both bills. "It's bright and shimmery or it can be warm and rustic," says Malone, "plus, it's tactile and functional." Residential architect Lewis Butler agrees. He's seeing an onslaught of metallic finishes and products. Countertops, tiles, flooring, and cabinets are coming out in their metal best. He adds that, "even in traditional kitchens we're using a lot more metal, like copper or zinc."

Traditional this remodeled San Francisco kitchen (bottom photos) is not--despite the Tudor decor found throughout the rest of the home. A grid executed in steel, silhouetted in lapis, and set against a black and white backdrop delineates the mod kitchen/family room. "The clients collect modern art" says Butler, "so they wanted to do something fun that harmonized with their collection." Custom stain tiles panels cover the walls to create a "kitchen within a kitchen." The quilted panels are outlined in smooth strips that align with a suspended steel light fixture" Brushed steel laminate ceiling files complete the metallic theme. "We were trying to emphasize what a serious machine for cooking the kitchen is" says Butler. "It's like the entire work station has a big stainless steel oven hood over it."

For their new Scottsdale, Ariz., home (top photo), the owners wanted the comfort of old-fashioned materials coupled with clean lines. Malone turned to a tin ceiling for nostalgia, and the glossy finish served the added purpose of reflecting light into a windowless corner. Incorporating tin squares as a backsplash generated an updated edge. Cherry floors and cabinets create a cozy contrast to the eye-popping metal. Off-the-shelf hardware that duplicates the squares-within-squares motif was a fortuitous find. Exclaims Malone: "They really make the room pop."