A Raw Steel Accent Wall in the Kitchen

Raw steel in the kitchen may first seem like a no-no. With all of that moisture and humidity generated by kitchen use, steel would eventually rust.

But if installed with a mind toward keeping it away from such moisture, and if properly sealed, you can have that industrial look of black steel in the kitchen. As a case in point, we're highlighting this accent wall in a Sonoma cottage kitchen.

The 1930's cottage renovation was designed by San Francisco's Antonio Martins. Paired with the black floors, this wall is a sharp detail that brings a little hard edge to the cottage's kitchen.

Related: What Color Is Your Kitchen?

(Image: Drew Kelly/California Home + Design)

Categories: Kitchens, Kitchen

Posted by Regina Yunghans

Regina is an architect who lives with her husband and son in Lawrence, KS. As a LEED Accredited Professional and longtime contributor to Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn, her focus is on healthy, sustainable living through design.
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Comments (3)

I love your oven/stove! What is it/where is it from? Thanks.

and un-sealed, you could embrace the rust as 'patina' - the way soapstone ages and gets more character.

i'm working on a project in which the kitchen cabinets will be faced with unfinished steel - so excited!

the stove looks like a 40's wedgewood or an o'keef and merrit. hard to tell from that angle. You can find them all day on craigslist in great shape for very little money and once you replace the safety valves they will be safe and work for 60 more years.