Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Copper in the Kitchen


Copper cookware and accents used in kitchens is nothing new in design, but as trends come and go, this is one that has stuck around.  My first kitchen in my very first apartment was outfitted with copper accents.  I had a big copper pot rack and it hung above a second hand copper colored Tappan range. Copper canisters and a copper colander and a few other copper accents made my kitchen the country kitchen of my young dreams.
Fast forward through a series of house moves and over time the copper disappeared from my kitchen decor.  Maybe I just switched my attention and copper lost its fascination for me.  Well, I am here to say I have fallen in love with copper all over again!  It seems as if I am not alone, as it is appearing in kitchens of some of my favorite designers and bloggers.
Martha Stewart has led the way in setting trends and making certain antiques popular once again when she uses them in her own kitchens and on her baking show.  I spy two (!!) copper Kitchen Aid mixers and measuring spoons and copper molds on the wall.  The copper looks beautiful with the marble and the breadboards and the rustic potted herbs.  I developed a fixation on Martha's copper Kitchen Aid mixer, and the next thing I knew, I was researching the models, the color finishes, and am happy to say I found one at a very good price. My next blog post will be about my mixer and all that I discovered, as soon as I take some pictures of it in my kitchen. Until then I am sharing some amazing copper in amazing kitchens that hopefully inspire you as much as they did me.
Martha Stewart's Bedford, NY  Kitchen
In Martha's  New York kitchen she has a wealth of copper molds and pots and pans displayed on the walls in this huge industrial space.  I also did a lot of research on copper cookware, and was surprised to learn what I found out...you might be interested in learning that good copper cookware is expensive, and the copper will discolor when used on the stove.  Reading the reviews that are posted about different manufacturers will tell a lot about a product line. Copper cookware from different manufacturers vary in quality. I love the look of copper pans hanging in a kitchen, it is very French, so that adds to the appeal for me. (More on that in my next post, as I share the cookware I did purchase and the reasoning behind my decision.)
Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill Farm, CT Kitchen
In her former Connecticut kitchen, an oversized pot rack matches the equally oversized island
and holds a shameful amount of copper pans. It is both obscene and inspiring! If you look closely you will see a stainless pot sitting on the cooktop, making one wonder if this collection is purely decorative.  Even so,  I have to say the copper looks amazing!
French Country Cottage 
This cottage kitchen belonging to Courtney Allison of the French Country Cottage blog, is
just beautiful!  The copper pots appear to be new and hang from a rod suspended inside
the range hood positioned over her blue French LaCanche range.  
Another peek at Courtney's kitchen....just a few well placed copper accents give this kitchen the French cottage charm I love.  Her kitchen also gave my obsession over copper fuel that I was on the right path.  My collection has grown after searching online antique listings, antique shops, thrift shops,  Marshalls and HomeGoods, which are all great places to find copper.  Target and Kohls carry copper accents, so if you are like me, once you start looking for it, you can be certain you will find it.
Switching over to copper has me taking out things and playing around with some of my "new" pieces, like this tin lined copper mold of a pineapple.  I brought it home from the thrift shop and hung it up above a ceramic mold and loved the shiny coppery color.  Now I have a big collection of old and new copper including mixing bowls, shovel scoops, measuring cups, colanders, pans and molds of many shapes and sizes....
and that fabulous copper Kitchen Aid mixer!
I promise I will be back soon with some photos as soon as I finish hanging things where I want them.
Having a lot of fun with my on again off again obsession...can you tell?


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16 comments:

  1. I let a lot of my copper pieces go over the years but still have a few packed away. I do think it fell out of favor at one time as it was considered "country" and the copper kind of died away with a lot of the primitive country home decorating.

    I can't wait to get in a new place and bring my copper out again. I am anxious to see more, Amy. xo Diana

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    1. I wish I packed up my copper things....I would love to have my old canister set right now. But the hunt is definitely fun and so is redecorating. I bet your new kitchen will be fantastic!

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  2. I love how Courtney's copper pans look over that luxury range. Copper is definitely having a moment (my nephew received both copper pans and some type of undergarments containing copper for Christmas!). I am boring and don't own copper anything!

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    1. So true, copper is having a moment! A big moment!

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  3. love the inspiration pictures but Im more a gold color girl .cant wait to see your next post

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    1. I ve seen gold mixed with copper in many kitchens, and its very pretty!

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  4. My mom had a pot rack with glowing copper pans hanging over head and she used them for cooking quite often. But, although they worked beautifully on a gas range, I have never had much luck with them on my glass cooktops. But as a decorating component, they lend a soft, "pink" touch to any kitchen! Love them!

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    1. Wow, that must have been something to see. Did you use any of them in a decorative way since they didn't work with your glass top range?

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  5. I love copper too and have been collecting it for a few years. Finding pieces in antique stores mostly. Can't wait to see your next post!

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  6. I love this post! I have a very large box of copper in storage that I just haven't been able to let go of and now I know why. IT' S BACK! YIPPY! I have always loved the look of copper and had a large wall in my last kitchen covered in copper ( pots, pans and molds) and now I'll get them out and use them again. Thank you and I can't wait for your next post.

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  7. I can't wait to see the pieces you snagged. I am sure you will display them with your magic touch.

    Cindy

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  8. I missed the past copper moment, although I did have Revere Ware (copper bottoms) pots + pans once.

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  9. I also have several copper pots and baking pans but agree with Susan Mathison - using them on a glass cooktop is definitely challenging as it is hard to adjust the heat temperature to accommodate the conduction of heat by the copper. Guess I will simply enjoy these accoutrements as eye candy for now! I do especially adore the Ruffoni that I own.

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  10. aww thanks so much for including my little kitchen Amy! I am obsessed with copper as well. Cannot get enough right now!! And wow- Martha's kitchen is AHHHMAZING!! xo

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  11. Wow Martha’s kitchen is beautiful. That’s a lot of copper. I love that blue range. It looks amazing with the copper pots.
    I can not wait to see what you do with your collection of copper. I put a few accents in my new kitchen. It is on the modern side but I love it with the chrome and white. I found some amazing copper spray paint by krylon and updated a pendent light. It looks really nice.

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  12. Oh be still my heart ... Martha's kitchen is beyond beautiful....yes, have admired Courtney's kitchen from her awesome stove to the copper, and I could go on....I was researching copper pots around Christmas time and thought that I need to save my pennies if I want the Ruffoni or my uber...at the top of the wish list, the Mauviel M'Heritage cookware set...
    I was at someone's home this week and she had somewhat vintage copper pots hanging over her island...well..talk about trying not to turn to a life of crime by sticking some in my purse!!

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