Using the info I found on the forums here, we put in a copper bar in our basement. The inside countertop of the bar will be laminate with a copper sink. We glued the 16oz copper flashing using contact cement to mdf. Since this was for a bar we didn't have to worry about edges because we put on an oak bar rail and drink stop. After the install, I polished the copper to get all the fingerprints from the installation off of it and within a few days it started to patina to a beautiful golden brown color. Before we start to use it I'm planning to give it a light coat of paste wax for extra protection. Here are pics of what it looks like so far. Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Copper bar

We just had our template done yesterday so I won't have granite for another 2 weeks or so but I'll probably do something similar to what I've done in the past. I have a clear glass bowl that I keep lemons and limes in (I use lemons a lot in cooking) I also have a paper towel holder and my my coffee pot out and usually a small potted plant on the sunny part of my counter. I cannot live without having my cookbook out so I have a decorative plate stand that I use for it (see link below). The majority of my cookbooks are stored over my range in the cupboard and I have to drag a chair over...so instead I've compiled my most frequently used recipes into one book and it sits on the counter. Here is a link that might be useful: plate stand similar to the one I use for my cookbook

There is a good DIY concrete counter thread going right now, which I'll link below. BTW, concerning the prices given by Consumer Reports for anyone interested in SS counters...Our stainless counters were $17/sq ft. We had them done by a local sheet metal shop and installed them easily ourselves. A carpenter or GC on a project could probably do that part. Anyway, back to concrete, which we love the looks of, too. There is a great video by Fu Tung Cheng available on the Concreteexchange.com site, and there are probably more pictures on chengdesign.com. Concrete can stain and etch, but there are ways to limit that if you're willing to do the upkeep. I'd think different colors and finish textures would be easier to keep looking nice than others. We were going to do concrete counters in parts of our new kitchen, but time prevented it. We did, though, put in extra thick counters (laminate) so we can change them for concrete later. Here is a link that might be useful: concrete counters thread

Love love love this topic. Your kitchens are amazing. Looking for pics of stainless; particularly of stainless with white cabinets and beadboard backsplash... Have you ever seen this combo? Any ideas would be awesome. Again truly amazing kitchens!!