Crafting Copper Blog

Copper urinal handcrafted by Mountains Edge Copperart Inc.

In 2007, I was asked to take on the task of building of a rustic copper urinal for a interior design project of Joanner Boucher’s and Island Enterprises of St. Joseph Island, Ontario.

The project required the intensive raising/hammering of 2 copper bowls.   Fitting those bowls together to create the shape seen here in the photos.  The bowls had lengths of copper pipe welded to the curves to offer protection against the raw copper edges and to act as a lip to keep liquids inside the urinal.

The patina was left natural as the client wanted the urinal to take on its own natural patina. Given that urine was used by Japanese patina masters to offer various grades of green patinas.  I have also read that some of these patinas were aged a number of years, stored in bottles and different diets affected the coloring process.

Another photo of the copper urinal

Copper wall mounted range hood in bell design

Our coppersmith artisans are creating some of the most beautiful designs in custom range hoods.

Copper range hoods compliment many different design styles such as; Tuscan, French country, rustic, arts & craft, mission, American country, Victorian and modern design. Natural materials like stone and wood seem to be a strong foundation for materials that cooperatively work with copper. We have found that stainless steel integrates best with a copper range hood in the form of rivets, straps or pot rack hardware.

Copper range hood designs are only limited by the ability of the craftsperson. Copper crown moldings, corbels, multi-faceted designs, Repoussé work, hammered textures, creative patina colors and the incorporation of other materials like glass, stone, steel and wood are part of the palette that we, as copper artisans, works with. The copper patinas applied to our copper range hoods are expanding from the warm natural brown penny colors to vibrant patinas exhibiting hues of reds, blues, yellows, purples, silvers and white.

The patina coating on copper range hoods can usually be coated with a lacquer coating that will permanently protect the patina coating. Typically though, patinas are coated with a wax to naturally preserve the patina finish. The periodic application of a wax to the patina surface can help maintain the patina finish. Applying a furniture polish such as Pledge or Orange Glo to copper range hoods with wax coatings will also preserve the patina finish.

Today’s copper range hoods also take advantage of sophisticated exhaust systems in varying capacity, dimensions and ergonomic integration. These exhaust systems are usually supplied in the same brand names as your kitchen range or oven.

Large copper fireplace hood

Outdoor installations of a copper range hood over grilling and BBQ areas are increasingly used to enhance the visual appreciation of the outdoor patio design.  Particular attention must be paid towards the proper selection of an exhaust fan able to operate in an outdoor environment as well as the size of the hood and its ability to capture exhausting fumes from the cooking area.

Fireplaces and fire pits are another area that copper hoods are used for an enhanced look as well as the hoods functional properties.  Since fireplaces are usually constructed from stone or masonry materials; copper is an ideal complimentary material.