This is my favorite part of our Harmony Hollow project so far. I thought it would be easy to source but just like with everything else, it didn’t turn out that way.
In the spirit of keeping the rustic feel of the original house I knew I wanted rusted corrugated metal for the walls of our kitchen. I also figured that we’d need to rust it ourselves. I also knew that I wanted it to be low-profile, but all we could find locally were larger scale versions.
On the right is a panel of the large scale corrugations (is that a word?), and on the left is the smaller. We started out with plain steel and experimented with some different patina agents and sealants.
We original experimented on the large panel that we got locally and I loved the effects that appeared. Of course, when we got the other sample to play with, it didn’t react the same.
I ended up ordering the panels from Dakota Tin in South Dakota and they were way more inexpensive that I thought they’d be. The freight cost almost as much as the metal. Their customer service was so amazing that it makes me want to do more, and we just might.
Dakota Tin offered a pre-rusted version but we ultimately decided to do it ourselves so we could have more control.
We started out splattering on the rainbow patina chemical that we’d decided on. Rinsed, and then went in for the full coverage.
It didn’t look like much when the patina first went on, but there were some pretty cool effects. At that point we had to do a lot more experimenting because the nature of a sealer is that it darkens the metal a lot and we wanted to try keeping the oil slick look.
We did multiple rinses over the next few days and watched the rust bloom. While I’d been excited about the rainbow effect, I was equally as happy even though we couldn’t retain it because plain ole rust was my vision in the beginning anyway.
Still looking a little rough here, before being sealed, but I was in love with how it was turning out.
I’d put money down that everyone I tried to tell about what I envisioned thought I was crazy and that it would look like the side of a dilapidated shed.
My idea actually started out with just wanting to be a backsplash in the kitchen.
But it ended up turning into covering the walls of the kitchen and the adjoining nook. When picking out the island pendant lights my sister had encouraged me to “go big” and make a statement. So I’m giving her a lot of credit for coaching me and helping me to change my mindset.
I love how it looks against the reclaimed barn wood floor and baseboards, too.
Now that we’re done with the installation I realize that I have to get a photo of the finished version that is sealed. The finished product has a little sheen that gives it a richer feel.
It does NOT look like a barn.
That photo is going to have to wait though because we’re waiting to re-install new countertops. We ran into a snafu with the original counters. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Good thing we love this place.
