I disagree that there would be no maintenance... Nickel is a living finish and is NOT like chrome. If it is not coated with some type of lacquer or other finish, it will tarnish. I did some research on copper sinks a while back and did look at Signature Hardware. ...turns out that most of their sinks were imported from China or India. This is good to know if you are considering a handcrated copper sink (whether nickel plated or not). There are issues with lead and other things like poorer workmanship on a lot of those sinks to consider. ...this is from personal experience... We ended up deciding that it was a hand hammered sink from Mexico or nothing (and even then, there are many different quality levels). Again, this is with a copper sink specifically. I would ask them where the sink is made and if it is coated with anything (or whether it's a "living finish" or ?). If you don't mind polishing it and then keeping it waxed, it still may not be an issue for you, but I would want to know before purchasing.... Good luck!

We bought our kitchen sink from Copper Sinks Online and really liked both the company and their product. IÂm not sure why a competitor would say something like "their patina wears off"? Âsure your sink will change a bit but that would be any copper sink. As posted above, that is the nature or "character" but any light spot will quickly darken. Their sinks are also built like a tank! Way heavier than others we saw. I also agree that cleaning is a breeze and we occasionally wax with the stuff they sent (just a minute or so to apply). Go for copper  you wonÂt be disappointed IMHO. We love ours!

We have a hammered copper sink in our bathroom and I hunted for hours and hours, days and days, non-stop for a faucet that seemed right.... and it's not even in a prominent place like a kitchen... so I can imagine your angst. (I read an article about "Champagne problems".... oops, OT :~)) While my preferred metal for faucets is nickel, it just didn't make me go "ahhhhh" next to the copper sink. It worked, but something wasn't quite right. ORB looked great colour-wise, but the finishes on the ones I saw looked fake somehow. Then, in the final hour, I stumbled upon a "Cifial" faucet (very hard to find here in Canada) and their ORB (called "Weathered") cast brass faucet is gorgeous next to the sink! I just joined this forum today and haven't figured out how to attach pix yet, but I've included a link below. Chop back the URL to see more styles. In real life, there's a beautifully subtle/warm/natural glow along some of the edges of the detailing. I'm not trying to change your mind as I really do LOVE nickel, but just wanted bring in another perspective. Good luck! Your sink & faucet are both gorgeous! ~ sb Btw, we're just beginning a kitchen reno and are considering a granite called "Brown Suede" because it does what I think you're trying to do --- tie together warm copper with other cooler metals. We're trying to blend the character of our rustic 1854 house with some of our more modern tastes --- warm cherry shaker-style cabinets with cooler pro-line stainless appliances. This granite seems to marry the two quite well. Now... any ideas for a backsplash??? Here is a link that might be useful:

HGTV just did a kitchen yesterday, with appliances that had an "Oiled Bronze" finish---They looked outstanding hope other appliances opt for these finishes--as not a good idea to buy all the appliances from the same makes--alto some could be panneled (built in). SS is a real pain to keep spots off of, particularly a dishwasher, that's why our new one has a panel. There are a lot of great looking bronze & Copper Faucets. Alto our appliances are SS--those that don't have panels, our faucet, a light fixture above the faucett and the switch plates are all copper. Like other folks say, U do what rings your bell but for me, a Copper sink with SS faucett--unh uhhhhh!! Gary