I'd be interested in some feedback, too! I'm looking to purchase a copper table for everyday use and want to know how it stands up (the one I'm looking at seems to have a thin laquer?). I'm hoping circuspeanut will chime in!!

Unfortunately I'm in a big rush today, but am always happy to drone on at great length about my copper counters. :-) Is there something specifically you'd like to know? They've worn like iron so far, and are happily patinating away.

They've been in since last July -- here's an unglamorous shot of the peninsula, with undermounted prep sink, as of last night:

I'll be back with some actual tips/experience asap -- will link my copper tops thread, if you scroll down I added lots of commentary in the month following our install.

Also run a forum search on Claybabe, who has a stunning copper counter!

Here is a link that might be useful: my DIY countertop thread

thanks, circuspeanut!!! Wait a minute...you were putting together a meal like that on a Wednesday night?? I'm jealous and i love seeing a KAW!!!

I had read your threads before, but somehow missed the care/treatment options you had tried. Have you stuck with the beeswax/rennaisance wax alternating?? I'm wondering HOW the copper patina's over time. I love the patina'd look, but does it seem to happen really slowly (I saw what you said about areas around sink/wetness), and is it spotty/blotchy, like a ring from a wet glass or more muted?? Really appreciate any hardcore usage info (can my kids continue to eat like kids on it????)

I also saw several others on your thread talking about zinc counters - wow! I need to track those down just because i've never seen that! Hopefully more metal counter owners will be able to respond.

That's beautiful circuspeanut - and I can't believe it's a DIY project - so incredibly impressed! I love copper - lots of copper on the outside of the house - I'm a little afraid it might "clash" with all the stainless inside the kitchen though.. it looks like you have copper faucets, etc. - do you have a large mix of finishes or is it mostly copper? Thanks!!

Kerry,

I just caught up with your first thread and this one, and am so glad Circuspeanut chimed in. Her copper countertops are fab, and cost efficient (unlike the French pewter ones). Picking up an architectural element from the outside of the house with a small detail inside is a great way of tying a look together.

Re the stainless, think of a copper surface as a color. Shiny copper is kind of orangy, with raku colors (deep blues and purples, mostly) if you heat it and stuff. Antiqued copper is dark red brown. The wood you mentioned as a possibility is probably also on the yellow-red-brown spectrum. Like the wood, the copper becomes a counterpoint to all the stainless.

In fact, if you have a lot of stainless appliances, faucets, etc., I'd stay away from copper elemnets on other planes. Let it star as a countertop material.

Mairin -- ha! It was a special birthday night, thus the lamb (and the commemorative pic).

Okay, here's the copper counter info! (Copper: the Hardcore Version)

I'll preface all this with the strong caveat that my tops are plain old roofing sheet copper with no finish of any kind except waxing. If you purchase yours from a fabricator like a normal person (!), chances are you'll have some kind of finish on them to preserve their factory-applied patina, like the darkened copper sinks one can buy.

It's also insanely difficult to photograph it and capture the richness and color of the metal. It has a deep warm glow that doesn't come through very well.

Copper is not not necessarily for the faint of heart. Here's the coffee station after my guy finished with it and left it overnight (hey, you wanted hardcore!):
{{!gwi}}

Yes, that is green where water was allowed to stand for hours. Obviously I need to wax that section soon. Here it is after cleaning that mess up:
{{!gwi}}

Here's what it starts to look like after lots and lots of use: all the blotches even out into one darker color:
{{!gwi}}

Here's another section:
{{!gwi}}

If you have any qualms about water rings, spots, etc., I'd strongly recommend getting a fabricated copper top that has a lacquered finish to protect it. We love the marks and spots, since it turns the kitchen into a living thing. My house is a modest little 1923 coastal bungalow and the "worn" look really fits right in.

If that works for you, I'd say welcome to the ranks! As a material, it can take any abuse you, your kids, or red-hot pots can dish out - it's more a matter of how comfortable you are with the changing surface.

And as I say, if you buy a table or top that's pre-patina'ed, I doubt you'll have any issues with green verdigris or acid/water rings as shown above.

Kerry -- my finishes are a total hodgepodge! Wish I'd found Gardenweb before making most of my decisions. I have Moen copper fixtures on the main sink. Kohler's Vibrant Brazen Bronze on the prep sink. Vintage copper knobs on the cabinetry. My switchplates and doorknobs are the original darkened brass. My 1949 stove is white with chrome. My fridge is stainless steel. My DW is panelled with an antique copper handle. My light fixtures are from Rejuvenation in antique copper. Somehow, it all works.

If I knew what I knew now, I might make all the fixtures darker or lighter. The Brazen Bronze looks particularly nice with the counter, although the Moen copper isn't bad - and the more the counters age and darken, the more contrast there is with the faucetry.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for the "hardcore" and brutally honest reporting of abuse, circus!! I love your counters, and just love the patina that is slowly coming through - gorgeous!!

Thank you so much everyone - I really appreciate the pics, circuspeanut - still gorgeous! And pllog, I like your thought about the copper standing on it's own, yet tying in to the outside elements.. now I need to do some looking on maintenance (I'd probably prefer if it's pre-patina'd to some degree) and cost, of course. And then broach the subject once again with DH. Should be fun!! :-)

Here is some information on zinc counters with pictures, which may help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Zinc Counters

Thanks so much, those are gorgeous pictures!!