One of the hardest parts of designing a kitchen, or even an entire home, is knowing where to get started. Even if you have a vision of what you want the finished product to be, how does the process begin? What item will be selected first for the rest of the pieces to follow?
This was an important question for Michael and Becky Leary as they worked on their beautiful new home in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. And, in the case of the Learys, a custom copper range hood from CopperSmith was one of the first pieces of the puzzle to lock into place. With the Signature SX4 Range Hood selected and ordered, they were able to proceed with the rest of their design and come away with a space that is stunning from any angle.
Why Start with a Statement Piece?
It’s common for homeowners to start their design process with one of the big components in a kitchen. Often, it’s one of three elements that comes first – the cabinets, the counters, or the floors. With one of those chosen, the rest of the design can start to take shape around it, and soon enough, a whole design plan will be in place.
To be fair, there is nothing wrong with that approach. If there is one complaint or criticism about that approach, however, it’s that it can lead to a rather safe finished product. As the decisions are made, one after the next, the homeowner might not wind up taking many (or any) chances, and the completed kitchen will be a bit forgettable.
That’s what makes the path used by the Learys so smart. They opted to pick out a statement piece right from the start, and the kitchen was destined to be anything but boring as a result.
The Signature SX4 Was a Strong Choice
Starting with the range hood was a good path to take, but they didn’t pick just any hood. They opted for a custom-designed Signature SX4 from CopperSmith, complete with the Designer Motif for a bit of additional ornamentation. It was ordered with a Fire Copper finish and Hand Hammered texture to give it a bold appearance that is only going to get better with time.
Not only is the finish attractive, but the sheer size of the hood also demands attention. At 54’’ tall and 42’’ wide, the scale of this hood is able to live up to the size of the surrounding kitchen without getting lost. In other words, it is up to the challenge of being the statement piece in the space, and it is deserving of the central role that it plays.
Placing a tall range hood over the cooktop is also an important element from a practical perspective. Moving air out of the space while using the range is important for indoor air quality and to prevent residue from accumulating on surfaces throughout the kitchen. All of our hoods at CopperSmith nicely blend form and function, and the Learys will be able to enjoy cooking in this room day after day, in part because of what the hood is able to provide.
Pairing the Sink to the Hood
There would have been nothing at all wrong with leaving the custom range hood as the only copper component in the kitchen. However, to add a cohesive touch to the design and to lean further into the beauty of copper as a material, the Learys also ordered a copper farmhouse sink as part of this project.
To make sure the two pieces played nicely together, the sink also features the Fire Copper finish and Hand Hammered texture. However, with the hood up against the wall and the sink out in the island, the two aren’t so close together, and the look isn’t overwhelming. It’s a nice connection that ties up the design without being too much.
And, as with the hood, this sink is endlessly functional. It’s a large basin with tons of space for dishes, washing food, or filling up a big pot. Copper also brings antimicrobial performance to the party, so there is an element of added hygiene that is enjoyed when this natural material is used to create a sink.
A Kitchen That Will Improve With Time
Make no mistake – the Learys’ kitchen looks great today. The images included in this post make that point very clear. This design was a winner from day one, but the great thing about working with copper is that the aesthetics in this space are only going to improve over time.
Gradually, as the years pass, the copper sink and range hood will develop a natural patina that will enhance the beauty of these pieces. As the Learys have stated that this will be their “last home”, they are going to get to enjoy the process of seeing the copper change tone over the coming years. They plan on being in this house for a long time, and we love knowing that our pieces will be right there along with them for that journey.
Taking That First Step
Getting the design process off the ground can feel impossible at times, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Perhaps the best path forward is simply to find a reliable partner who can present you with the right products and customization options to select an initial statement piece that will anchor the room. From there, progress will flow nicely, and everything else will come together as if it were always meant to be.
Michael and Becky Leary did a great job with their kitchen, and the rest of their home, in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. By supplying a custom range hood and farmhouse sink, CopperSmith is happy to have been able to play a starring role in the kitchen design, helping the Learys create something that is both beautiful and functional. They should certainly be proud of this masterpiece!