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Amping Up Your Outdoor Spaces

Jul 2016

Sinkology is proud to present Kristan Allen, our design expert and guest blogger who runs the @FarmhouseRedefined Instagram. Kristan is here to share some design ideas and inspiration around designing your home around your copper sink


If you’ve stopped by the Sinkology blog before, you’ve probably noticed by now that we love incorporating metallics into everyday home décor. Metallics act almost as a neutral – they complement a wide variety of color palettes and instantly draw the eye. And while I love offering up ways to use metallics inside the home, I’ve been finding myself spending a lot more time outside these days (thanks, summer)! So, I thought it might be fun to share a few ways to add some sparkle to outdoor spaces.

Add a Touch of Glam to Functional Items

Photo 1-Copper Candle

Citronella candles are a must for summer evenings spent outside, but the ones I always buy look like they’re poured into yellow margarine tubs. So I buy candles in varying sizes and place them inside bowls, small planters or other vessels/holders I already have. I bought this copper dish at an antique store last year and it fits a medium-sized candle perfectly. Looks much nicer and still keeps bugs away… win-win!

Think Outside the Tub

Photo 2-Galvanized Pedestal

Galvanized tubs, whether old or new, can be used in so many ways. In a more traditional sense, use them to ice down kids’ drinks or adult beverages at your next picnic. You can also use them on a dessert table or bar to elevate special treats. But I don’t wait until I’m hosting a party to use my galvanized tub. I keep one overturned on our outdoor fireplace and use it to elevate planters. It’s a great way to add texture to the space and highlight the beautiful foliage (a rarity for me because I have the opposite of a green thumb)!

Give New Purpose to Old Items

Photo 3-Brass Bucket

Repurposing items is a great way to extend their life and create unique ways to use them throughout your home. I found this brass fireplace bucket at a flea market and usually fill it with pumpkins or fake snowballs in fall/winter. But what do I fill it with for summer? As I sat pondering that exact question, it dawned on me that our front porch would be the perfect spot to enjoy this vintage bucket in the warmer months. It’s a great companion for our rocking chairs. I’ve had flowers in it and, just last week, I filled it with sparkers so that our weekend guests could grab them and celebrate the 4th of July. New lease on life for this fun and quirky flea market find!

Create a Textured Tabletop

Metallics are perfect for making big impact with minimal effort. An easy place to sprinkle in some sparkle is on your tabletop. For easy, breezy outdoor meals, try a galvanized charger like this one from Pottery Barn. It’s versatile, and even though chargers oftentimes denote a sense of formality, this one is all about casual style with its smooth metal finish. For a quick, fuss-free centerpiece, try a mix of small votive candles and larger candles in varying finishes. For me, mercury glass is glamorous and decadent. I toned it down a bit for outside by pairing it with a more casual glass jar and a punch of color from the Anthropologie linen napkin.

Photo 5-Quick Centerpiece

How are you incorporating metallics into your outdoor festivities this summer? Show us on Instagram by sharing your photo, tagging @Sinkology and using the hashtag #metallichomelove. Don’t forget to visit Sinkology on Pinterest for more great ideas on using metallics throughout your home.


If you have any additional questions during your search for the perfect copper sink, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on FacebookTwitterHouzzPinterest, or Instagram for more helpful tips and design ideas.