Copper coffee

Vintage Swan 'Canterbury' electric coffee percolator | H is for Home

Shiny metallics have been very much in vogue in the interior design world over recent years – copper and brass in particular, have seen a big resurgence. In last week’s Price Points post we mentioned a visit to the Lakeland store in Windermere. We noticed lots of copper coloured kitchenware and appliances as we perused the aisles that day.

Vintage Swan 'Canterbury' electric coffee percolator components | H is for Home

Well, we picked up a kitchen appliance of a much earlier vintage this week – dating from the last time that copper had this much of a mass market appeal.

Detail from a vintage Swan 'Canterbury' electric coffee percolator | H is for Home

It’s a fabulous coffee percolator produced by Swan.

Detail from a vintage Swan 'Canterbury' electric coffee percolator | H is for Home

It’s made of polished copper with rosewood handle and finial – and here it is advertised in a 1970s Argos catalogue.

Page from a 1976 Argos catalogue showing a Swan 'Canterbury' electric coffee percolator

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It looks great – sleek and stylish. It has a setting for different brew times to allow for varying strengths. It also boasts a ‘keep warm’ setting, so a quick top-up is very easy and your second cup will be just as hot as the first. Perfect for those who need a real kick start in the morning!

Cup of coffee and biscuits beside a vintage Swan copper electric percolator | H is for Home

Having just given it a test run, we can happily report that it makes a very decent cup of coffee indeed. We’ve added it to our web shop this week for anyone interested.

Introducing the brass section

Pair of Georgian antique brass candlesticks | H is for Home

We did a product review for Wayfair the other day in which we created an autumn table setting – all dark and dramatic – with shimmering metallics, fruit, berries, pine cones and so on. It was a pleasure to take the photos as we love this time of year (Justin prefers it to summer, actually). It got us in the mood for autumn pleasures. If the weather is kind, there are glorious autumn walks to be had amongst the turning leaves, inviting country pubs to rest in… and then hunkering down in a cosy house.

Detail of a pair of antique Georgian brass candlesticks | H is for Home

So what makes it feel cosy? How do we achieve our Pennine version of Hygge! Well, there’s the beloved wood burning stove to start with (now in both the lounge and a bedroom). Then all the little extras – woolly jumpers, thick socks, warm blankets, mugs of hot tea, fairy lights… and of course candles. We had them accessorising the aforementioned autumn table setting – and have them dotted around all over the house.

Nothing beats the twinkling light of real candles in the evening – and we’re often amazed at what bargains there are to be had in antique centres, charity shops and auctions when it comes to candle holders – in particular, vintage brass ones. The pair shown are a recent acquisition and demonstrate the point perfectly. A very sweet pair of small Georgian brass candlesticks – £12 in our local antiques centre.

Underside of an antique Georgian brass candlestick | H is for Home

We often see nice examples when we’re out and about. We love the mellow colour of antique brass – it’s got such warmth – and the way candle light shimmers on the reflective metal surface. The combination of brass (and other metallics such as copper and pewter) with the dark paint shades that are very much in vogue in home and restaurant interiors at the moment, looks really fabulous. The antique examples are such good quality too – they have good weight, craftsmanship and nice detailing to them.

Pair of antique Georgian brass candlesticks | H is for Home

And don’t worry about finding pairs. Some were made as single candle holders of course, but even if they were made as a pair and one’s missing its partner, just make a collection of the odd ones. The different shapes and heights look fabulous grouped together.

Three antique Georgian brass candlesticks with mid-century modern brass horse figure | H is for Home

So, here ends the promotional advert for the brass candle-holder association!! No not really – and we haven’t got a job lot of 500 brass candlesticks to sell either. We just thought it was worth highlighting the amazing bargains that are out there – and hopefully get you in the mood for autumn too!