Warm Up Your Decor With Copper Accents

I was reading an Elle Decor article called 'Why You Should Decorate With Copper this Year.' The article was actually written a while ago, but as copper has stayed popular for centuries, I don't think it will fall out of fashion favor too fast! The article urges readers to "Try a new metallic this season… It’s a perfect way to add some winter warmth to a festive home." That is true, although copper looks rich and welcoming all year, thanks to the beautiful color and reflective glow.

Ambella Home fireplace screen with copper accents

It got me thinking about the many ways to enjoy copper accents in your décor. Copper is so versatile, it can look traditional, modern, or exotic. It can appear perfectly at home in an ultra-glamorous urban setting or in a rustic Farmhouse kitchen.

Copper always looks great in traditional room designs, especially if you have an old piece that has developed a patina on the surface of the copper. For example, this vintage French coal scuttle with a blue and white Delft handle. The lions' heads on the handles add to the charm of this nice piece, and it would make an attractive planter if you don't want to display it by a fireplace.

In old European pubs you often see copper plates, jugs, and pitchers displayed on the walls. Decorative copperware is especially traditional in English and Welsh taverns. The vintage copper plate below conjures up the jovial atmosphere perfectly! This large vintage copper wall plate actually hails from Belgium. The Flemish plate shows a group of merry villagers quaffing ale around a pub table, and it would look great hanging on a kitchen or dining room wall. The burnished tones of the plate add to the appeal.

Copper is often used in the kitchen of course. As I said in my blog post on Downton Abbey Kitchen Style, the warm glow and sturdiness of copper creates a unique sense of tradition and comfort. Copper is a good fit for kitchenware as it also has antibacterial properties. Bacteria doesn't last very long on copper!

This photo shows a more unusual treatment of copper in the kitchen. It's not just for pots and pans! The copper backsplash looks fabulous against the stainless steel appliances and the reclaimed wood floor. Downlighting beneath the wall cabinets are the perfect choice to bring out the luxurious and inviting tones of the copper. The highly polished surface bounces the light and the photo proves that copper looks elegant in more modern settings too. Copper in contemporary decor usually looks best if you choose streamlined shapes.

Here's a way to see copper in a whole new light.... literally! The upcycled table lamp is hand-crafted to order and made with a pierced shade and recycled clear or blue glass insulators from old telephone poles.

The light shines through the pierced shade to create a delightful ambience in your office or study.

Hammered copper always looks so earthy yet so exotic. The sensuous hammered finish is a superb match for the rich burnt tones of the copper, as you can see in this  new Ambella Home sink chest from the Rustico collection. The hammered copper vessel sink stands out on the antiqued Travertine counter to evoke a romantic mood of yesteryear.

Do you have copper accents in your home decor? Where and how do you use copper? We'd love to hear about it.