Photograph by Jeffrey Green Copper goes Contemporary when pillowed tiles crafted of the metal accent a master bedroom fireplace wall. The surround is made of copper, wood and steel.

FINISH-ING TOUCHES
Copper can be used indoors or out, but homeowners need to educate themselves on the finishes available, notes Bolock. Here are some aspects to keep in mind:
•  Decide what look you want. Bolock explains that copper finishes can be broken into three main categories, which he compares to types of pennies. To maintain the shiny new-penny appearance, copper needs to be sealed with a protective finish, advises the expert. He recommends that those who want the aged green-penny look have a chemical finish applied to the metal to hasten oxidation. And to achieve a dull bronzy tone, similar to an old penny, he suggests leaving copper unprotected and allowing it to age naturally over time.
• Maintenance-free option. Copper left untreated is virtually maintenance-free and can withstand a sizable amount of wear and tear, notes Daschbach. “You can just put it outside and let it go, and it’ll still be there in 200 years,” he remarks. Depending on the location and exposure to weather, finished copper that is installed outdoors will require occasional upkeep and refinishing.

WORDS OF WISDOM
With demand for copper on the rise, our experts believe the metal will continue to be an influential element in Southwest residences. They offer the following advice for incorporating it into a home:
• Create a focal point. Pan notes that copper can be overused and recommends making careful decisions about the most appealing and effective ways to utilize it. He suggests creating a visual contrast or focal point with copper instead of installing it as a background material, and describes copper accents on barrel-vault ceilings as a notable installation.
• Use it sensibly. “Copper is versatile and works well in many architectural styles,” says Hersker. She explains that it complements a variety of looks, such as Old World, Southwest, Contemporary and Traditional. “Be mindful of the fact that copper is expensive these days,” she counsels. “Carefully choose the best way to use it in the home to get the most impact for the dollar.”
• Consider an alternative. Daschbach suggests sheet bronze, a copper alloy mixed with tin, as an alternative to pure copper. He states that sheet bronze can be employed in many of the same ways but has darker golden tones, which may appeal to those looking for a richer color palette.
• Be imaginative. Bolock says that clients and designers continue to come up with striking applications for copper, a material he characterizes as “very clean, very cool and very rich.” He adds: “The creativity with copper is not going to stop. Just keep on dreaming, because there are people out there who can produce it.”