The next metal in my series is enamelware which lends itself to summertime for me.
I love enamelware, old, new, used, whatever. I’m always drawn to it.
Enamelware originated in germany in the 1700s in order to find a medium that would not alter the taste of food. Cast iron vessels were lined inside with enamel in order to prevent metallic taste and rust passing on to food. How sad that the enamel was on the inside not to be appreciated on the outside, which I absolutely love. Enamelware from there progressed and spread throughout Europe, but did not make it across the pond until the mid 1800s (over a hundred years later…wow!).
Enamelware permeated into households for kitchenware, laundry uses, even the bedroom (think chamber pots) also in the medical industry and even for street signs. Of course the mass produced kitchenware pieces from the late 1800s early 1900s are the coveted, collector pieces. The colors were varied as well as the patterns, including speckled, mottled and marbled. As you can see my pieces are mostly in the white | off-white family.
These are the pieces that started my collection. I got most of them if not all of them well over a decade ago at Joann’s Fabrics. it was my outdoor entertaining kit; a beverage tub, ice bucket, 2 citronella candles and a florist bucket. The candles are long gone and I use the buckets for bread, chips, fruit etc. while entertaining.
Several years ago I added some additional pieces and I love the silver rims. This is a very “new” enamel look but it ties in nicely with my beverage bucket. The vintage pieces tend to have blue or red edges, which I am sure you’ve all seen.
The tray is one of my go to pieces whenever I bring something to someone else’s home or potluck party, etc. For example I just brought caprese skewers to a 4th of July party in the tray, but I’ve used it for fruit, cookies and other desserts, as a cheese platter and so on. It’s super light so really easy to transport and I always get compliments.
I have some daily, functional pieces as well. I use the colander for obvious tasks but it also sits on top of my counter holding seasonal vegetables, readily available for cooking. The caddy holds all my wooden spoons by my range and the sugar bowl is self explanatory.
I got the colander and sugar bowl at Homegoods on different occasions, while I found the caddy thrifting. That was a happy find with the right colors and bee | frenchy motif. It could not be more perfect as I was wondering why I was wandering through the thrift store since I really didn’t “need” anything and voila! Gotta love that. That’s why you should always thrift, because you never know…just saying.
Since the majority of my enamelware collection revolves around summertime it would make sense to have some festive pieces for the summer holidays, independence, memorial and labor day. I picked up the tray thrifting and i’ve only used it decoratively. I picked up the little buckets years ago for a party where they were used for utensil caddies, but they have housed snacks, candy, garnishes at a bar station, etc.
The last piece I picked up was the bowl which I also found at a thrift shop and I have never really used it or had much use for it. While reviewing all these photos it hit me to use it as an extra water bowl for bailey in the laundry room. Bowl has purpose!
I would love to have a vintage collection for show & decorating, but that might be for later on in life. Right now this is my oldest piece and I love it as a succulent filled basin. I’ve had if for quite a few years now and at first I was worried the soil would seep out from the holes but it has worked like a charm. and it’s quite charming, don’t you think?
The basin is a pale butter color with a green rim, which I know is hard to tell through all the rust patina in the pictures. I found it a local, monthly flea market and I knew I wanted it as soon as I saw it although I did not know for what at the time. I know you understand. {wink}.
You can see my other metal series i’ve featured here:
metals II ~ sterling silver
metals I ~ silverplate
what started it all ~ copper
Happy Collecting !
sharing @:
vintage charm party @ charm bracelet diva
home& garden @ a delightsome life
syc @ have a daily cup of mrs. olson
home sweet home @ the charm of home
the inspiration gallery @ craftberry bush
shabbilicious friday @ shabby art boutique
feathered nest friday @ french country cottage
simple&sweet @ rooted in thyme
morning cup of joe @ the cottage market
friday feature @ oh my heartsie girl
friday’s 5 features @ diy-vintage-chic
pinworthy projects @ my suburban kitchen
craft frenzy friday @ craft dictator
party palooza @ i heart naptime
saturday sparks @ pieced pastimes
share it 1 more time @ the everyday home
sundays at home @ love of home
creative corner @ curly crafty mom
amaze me monday @ dwellings-the heart of your home
show&share @ coastal charm
metamorphis monday @ between naps on the porch
the scoop @ stonegable
celebrate your story @ sweet sensations
inspire me monday @ my uncommon slice of suburbia
make it pretty monday @ the dedicated house
inspire me tuesday @ a stroll thru life
talk of the town @ knick of time
the inspiration board @ carolyn’s homework
wow @ savvy southern style
wake-up wednesday @ god’s growing garden
dishing it digging it @ rustic & refined
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