metal kitchens

beyond worktops and appliances, cool-toned metals have become a designer-approved choice for every inch of sleek cooking spaces

- KEITH FLANAGAN

As far as unusual kitchen materials go, metal doesn't exactly make the cut cooking spaces have long embraced shiny and easy-to-clean materials (most notably stainless steel). But today's designers are flexing cool-toned metal a touch further, applying it across more architectural features, incorporating even more sophisticated finishes and highlighting its ability to amplify light.

There are practical reasons for why metals work well in kitchens: they can take the heat, literally, and are easy to clean. While scratches and patina are part of their charm, they can achieve striking clean lines, and a growing interest in this material goes beyond durability.

"In the past, they had this futuristic, almost sci-fi look, but today manufacturers have introduced new surface finishes and combined them with warmer materials, giving them a more modern, inviting feel," says Andrea Harbeck, founder of Germany's .PEAM, who used stainless steel in a recent kitchen project.

"Today, steel is detailed in a more architectural manner, offering a broader range of application options and enabling it to serve multiple functions," notes Eva-Marie Prineas, principal of Sydney's Studio Prineas, who recently chose steel as a sleek trim for kitchen cabinetry and even an edgy kitchen doorway.

And while cool metallics are having a moment well beyond the kitchen, it seems no area in the cooking space is off-limits for steely accents. Whether to bring a streak of minimalism or a ray of light into the heart of the home, here are a few ways metals are upping the ante in home kitchens.

1 New Horizons