From collections of vintage pot holders along the ceiling to antique stoneware crocks on counters, I love when a kitchen has antique touches. Unfortunately, my personal kitchen is far too small to house antique collections like these — but one day, I'd absolutely love to thrift a dozen antique copper pots and hang them in my kitchen.
All that being said, when it comes to collecting antique kitchen items, there are some pieces that have much more value than others.
To learn more, Parade spoke with two interior designers: Rachel Hills, the owner and Creative Director of the Northern California-based luxury residential interior design firm Rachel Hills Design Co. and Marcia Sherrill, an interior and fashion designer and the owner of New York City-based Marcia Sherrill Home.
As Hills tells Parade, she's a big fan of "incorporating well-loved pieces" into the homes she designs.
"I don't choose antiques because they're old, I choose them because they make a new kitchen feel like it has a history," she says.
Both Hills and Sherrill shed some light on six of the antique kitchen items that they think are worth collecting, as well as four antique kitchen items that are not worth collecting. Plus, Sherrill revealed three of her favorite online stores to shop for antique kitchen goods. Keep reading to learn more!
Related: 12 Antiques to Look for at Flea Markets, According to Designers
Designers Say These 6 Antique Kitchen Items Are Worth Collecting
1. Antique copper pots and colanders
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"I love antique copper because it brings instant warmth and character to a kitchen," Hills tells Parade. "Whether it's hanging from a pot rack or sitting on the range, the patina is something you simply can't manufacture. I love that it tells a story."
Sherrill agrees, telling Parade: "I love antique copper pots and usually use them hung above a kitchen island."
In addition, Hills recommends looking out for vintage copper colanders when antiquing.
"One of my favorite ways to use a vintage copper colander is as a fruit bowl," she says. "It's functional, sculptural, and the aged finish adds a richness that newer accessories rarely have."
2. Vintage glassware and stemware
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Vintage glasses are a great investment, whether they're for everyday drinking or special cocktails.
"Beautiful antique glassware instantly makes everyday moments feel a little more special," says Hills. "Whether you're serving cocktails or sparkling water, there's something about the weight, craftsmanship and detail that elevates the experience in a way modern glassware often doesn't."
3. Large wooden dough bowls
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"A well-worn dough bowl brings texture and history into a kitchen," explains Hills. "I love styling them with fruit, vegetables, or simply letting the wood speak for itself."
And if you find an old wood bowl that is no longer food-safe, you could use it to store other items in your kitchen, such as packaged snacks or cloth napkins.
4. Stoneware crocks
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Rather than picking up a cheap utensil holder at a homeware store, Hills recommends investing in an antique stoneware crock. Not only are they versatile, but they can last forever.
"Stoneware crocks are timeless because they're both beautiful and useful," says Hills. "They're perfect for wooden utensils, fresh herbs or flowers, and they layer beautifully into almost any kitchen style."
5. Collection of kitchen items
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"I love a collection of kitchen items atop your cabinets or hung on a kitchen wall," says Sherrill.
Some of her favorite antique kitchen items to collect and display include antique baskets, graters, pot holders and oven mitts.
A collection like this can add "color and interest in a kitchen where just cabinets and appliances dominate and you need to add your personality," she explains.
6. Antique cutting boards
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Cutting boards are one kitchen item you should always buy new, since a secondhand cutting board may still hold bacteria from past owners. That is, unless you're buying an antique wood cutting board for display only, which is exactly what Hills recommends.
"Old cutting boards have a depth of color and wear that's difficult to replicate," she says. "Leaning several together against a backsplash can create warmth without adding visual clutter."
Related: 10 Things Designers Always Buy Vintage Instead of New
Designers Say These 4 Kitchen Items Are Not Worth Collecting
1. Novelty kitchen gadgets
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"Many antique kitchen gadgets are fun conversation pieces, but unless they have personal meaning, they often become clutter," says Hills. Novelty antique kitchen gadgets include items like non-electric hand mixers and nut grinders.
"I'd rather invest in fewer pieces that are both beautiful and functional," says Hills.
2. Mugs and plates
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According to Sherrill, collecting antique plates or mugs may seem "like a great idea" — but it's not always practical, especially if you have kids or animals in your home.
Overall, Sherrill is a big proponent of "no breakables, because your kitchen needs to be lived in, cooked in, dined in."
3. Mass-produced decorative collectibles
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If a kitchen item serves no function or does not fit into a specific decorating vision, you should probably leave it behind.
"I'm generally not drawn to collections that were made to be displayed rather than used, like decorative souvenir plates or novelty kitchen décor," says Hills. "The kitchens that feel the most authentic and timeless usually feature pieces that have actually earned their place through years of use."
4. Plastic kitchenware from the midcentury era
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"Early plastic kitchen accessories don't tend to age gracefully," explains Hills. "They often discolor, become brittle over time and don't add the warmth or craftsmanship that I look for when layering a kitchen."
Instead, when antiquing, Hills recommends looking for items made from materials like copper, wood, stoneware and hand-blown glass.
When looking online for antique kitchen items, Sherrill turns to three different websites.
Sherrill says Facebook Marketplace is "your best bet for amassing a collection or individual items." Her top tip? If you don't live in a big city, search the listings in a nearby large city and have the seller ship to you.
2. eBay
When using eBay to buy antique kitchen items, Sherrill's cardinal rule is to "avoid auctions and just make an offer."
3. 1stDibs
Sherrill used to work for 1stDibs, and she's still a customer of the the antique and modern furnishings website. On 1stDibs, she says, "you're gonna pay top dollar for your copper pots but they will be gorgeous."
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Sources
Rachel Hills, interior designer, owner and Creative Director of Rachel Hills Design Co.Marcia Sherrill, interior designer, fashion designer and owner of Marcia Sherrill HomeHence then, the article about designers say these antique kitchen finds are worth collecting and 4 they d leave behind was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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