Obsessed with Vintage Cooking and Serving Collectibles?

We love our orangey-red enamel Dansk pot that a friend gave us. Everything about it, from its distinctive shape and handle to its cheery color makes us nostalgic for our childhood in a happy way. In fact, we like it so much, it lives out on our stovetop...

... and doesn't get put away with the other pots and pans. It definitely has pride of place and is now part of the decor as well as a functional item.

We have what seems like a large number of friends who feel the same way about vintage cookware and tabletop goods - and some have built up an impressive amount of these usuable "collectibles".

We're wondering if this is true for AT readers as well - does vintage play a big part in your kitchen decor? Tell us which pieces you love in the comments below...and whether you use them or if they are just "for show".

Image: 1970's Nutcrackers by Stig Jorgensen via Classic-Modern

Comments (18)

It's safe to say that half of my kitchen wares are vintage. I've got a large collection of Pyrex bowls and casserole dishes that are used often and instead of put away in a cupboard, are proudly displayed on open shelving. There's something comforting to me about vintage kitchen wares. They carry a story.

Well, my wine rack is from the 1970s- Lucite with a silver handle. My parents got it as a wedding gift. I keep it out even when I have no wine!

There's something very satisfying about using vintage kitchenware. My favorites are 50s-60s Pyrex and spun metal canisters. Ooh, and my grandma's old Kitchenaid mixer!

http://www.inspiredroomdesign.com/blog.php

Why buy new when there are so many beautiful and functional vintage pieces out there?

kiljoywashere - I think i's nutcrackers

I love vintage enamelware, mugs and other ceramics, tea towels, and canisters. Sometimes (as in the case of linens), vintage stuff is actually better quality but can be had at a lower price.

kiljoywashere-they are nutcrackers. My mum had one.

Hey, I have that nutcracker - got a white one as a gift a zillion years ago. It actually works pretty well, too.

When I lived in VT there was a fantastic antique store nearby that sold fully function antique kitchen ware. My favorites are the 4-in-one cheese grater and the aluminum juicer -- it works better than any juicer I've ever come across!

between things handed down in the family and thrift-store finds, we have a fair number of vintage kitchen bits. my favourite recent find for $8 was a bodum chrome kettle from the 70s. no whistle but who cares?! =) also one of those deep Finel enamelled bowls found in fantastic condition for $2, the shape of which is like one we had when i grew up even if the design is different. i also have a set of puebla cups and saucers that i can only serve dry foods in, but i can't bear to part with them, even though Mexican decor isn't our style. the irregularity and obvious hand craftsmanship are too wonderful to get rid of. =)

I just had an intense flashback to childhood... we had that nutcracker in yellow! It would always be sitting in a bowl of nuts on the kitchen table and it was fun to use. I must ask my mother if she still has it stashed away somewhere.

I display all of my special cookware on my stovetop. A green enameled dutch oven from Ikea's SENIOR collection, a sunny yellow Dansk pot, a flame Le Creuset skillet, a red Dansk sauce pan, a turquoise Le Creuset stock pot, and a black and yellow polka dot enameled pot. I also have vintage canisters from Australia with Airstream-like labels on them. A pic of my kitchen can be seen here:

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/good-questions/good-question-looking-for-bright-and-colorful-tea-towels-048845

I use everything daily.

I love all and ANY vintage housewares. I am obsessed.
I have a ton of Pyrex though, and I also sell a lot. I have an enormous set of vintage Pyrex dishes we use as our every day dishes and a collection of vintage mugs that are used and displayed in the kitchen.
cassielynne.etsy.com

I LOVE using vintage dishes, and there are always plenty on my table and displayed proudly in my kitchen. I am in love with the old fire king milk glass white things, and i recently picked up this amazing set of orange, turquoise and golden yellow mixing bowls...needless to say, those stay out on my counter when i'm not using them to serve. They hold unhusked corn, apples, or nothing at all. and i have an antique jelly cabinet full of other vintage treasures i've picked up here and there. i can't stop. :)

Love using tried and true vintage (and I mean stuff from the 1930's and 1940's and earlier) kitchen stuff: cookie sheets, loaf pans, mixing bowls, cast iron skillets, soup tureens, dishes, glasses... I hardly have anything new.

I have a ton of Dansk, inherited from my brother who went through a Dansk obsession a few years back. My favorite is the red-orange paella pan. I have an entire set in red a blue covered pot, a brown covered pot, a brown casserole and a huge yellow saute pan which dominates my poor 24 inch stovetop night and day.

Also, my mom has a vintage set of steel canisters that have copper tops embossed with Coffee, Tea and Flour.... I love those.

Oh... and my most beloved object is a well used very heavy cast iron fry pan that my mother bought (along with a colander she still won't give up) the day after she got married.