Sheet metal might not sound like an exciting interior-design product. But when put in the hands of a talented fabricator, different varieties of metal become beautiful and functional forms of art for the home.
David Icenhour, owner of DLI Services in Winston-Salem, said metal offers many possibilities for custom-home features.
"Everything I do is custom, one-of-a-kind," Icenhour said. "If someone draws something made out of sheet metal that they want or they have a picture of something they like, I can make it."
Sheet metal includes copper, aluminum, zinc, brass and stainless steel. With the current popularity of industrial chic and modern-contemporary style, interior designers ask metal fabricators to create custom features in rooms. Icenhour has completed projects for inside and outside.
"One customer had a piece of granite she wanted to use in her kitchen, and we designed a kitchen island with the granite as the top," he said. "We also did an awning for the front entrance that she designed. It had an Oriental influence, and we made it out of hammered copper."
At weburbanist.com, numerous interior pictures showcase metal as an important design element. A ribbed-metal ceiling adds an urban flavor to a living room, while stainless-steel mosaic tiles create a spectacular backdrop in another home. Steel stairs, aluminum walls and a copper water wall add striking architectural interest in three additional residences. And for homeowners who want to add one-of-a-kind metal focal points, the website includes photos of a contemporary steel fireplace, an ultramodern steel sofa and a modular aluminum kitchen in Japan.
Another kitchen in Winston-Salem includes a custom copper hood Icenhour created to cover a large gas cooktop. The copper will eventually develop a rich patina, adding visual texture to the surroundings, which feature wood, granite and stone. This highlights the diversity of metal for a variety of interior-design styles other than contemporary.
Icenhour also created custom bar stools modeled after distinctive pieces of steel a client found during a shopping trip. The original metal pieces wouldn't work with the stool base, so Icenhour re-created the form of the originals and formed a secure attachment between seat and base.
Another recent project was a stainless surround for an outdoor grill and kitchen area. Outdoor living areas are popular with homebuyers, and metal offers a low-maintenance option for features.
"Porch railings, tables, small countertops — there are a lot of things that can be done with metal in a home," Icenhour said. "Basically, if someone designs something they like, a good metal fabricator can build it."
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