Last Updated on October 24, 2024 by Rachel Granholm
Versatile, colorful, and simple, these 7 ideas for decorating with vintage enamelware brings vibrant charm to your home!
This old cookware lives and breathes all elements of a farmhouse home and is a staple in a farmhouse kitchen. Enamelware can be used in many different ways in today’s more modern homes. In this post, I’m sharing tips for sourcing this old metal as well as 7 stunning ideas for styling vintage enamelware into any space!
What Is Enamelware?
Enamelware is prized cookware that started in Germany in the 1760’s. It is a beloved item to collect because it is practical, functional, and charming.
Enamelware became popular in the 19th century when manufacturers started to coat pots and pans with lighter steel enamel rather than cast iron. You will find that it is typically white on the inside and colored on the outside.
How to Identify Vintage Enamelware
Some of the more popular pieces of enamelware include coffeepots, mugs and ladles. Enamelware comes in solid colors like blue or green but you can also find it in a marbled pattern or solid with a colored rim.
In some cases you will see floral patterns or pictures on the outside.
Generally, you will be able to tell the age of the piece by its heft. Pieces from the beginning of the 20th century are noticeably heavier than those made after World War 2.
The sound of the metal can also give you a clue. If you tap the bottom of an enamelware mug or plate and it sounds tinny, it was probably produced around the 1970’s.
Shop the Look!
Where to Find Vintage Enamelware
This old metal can be found at thrift shops, estate sales, and vintage stores as well as online sources such as Etsy.
I will say that enamelware has become fairly popular in recent years. As such, it is getting harder to find and prices have slowly crept up. However, I do find most of my enamel pieces from thrift shops.
You can still find enamelware at vintage shops for reasonable prices…you just have to do some digging 🙂
Enamel Everywhere: 7 Stunning Ideas for Decorating with Vintage Enamelware
These old metal pieces are treasures to behold because of the many uses they have.
Here are 7 easy ways to use enamelware in your home!
Enamel Teapots as a Vase
Old teapots or pitchers make really pretty vases for fresh flowers on a tabletop or a bathroom counter. Enamel everywhere: 7 stunning ideas for decorating with vintage enamelware, is all about getting creative and thinking outside of the box!
Enamelware as Kitchen Decor.
An arrangement of small enamelware cups are cute to hang on hooks in an arrangement near your kitchen.
Enamelware Basket or Tray Display
Try lining a tray or larger bowl with a tea towel and to create a vignette!
You could also use it to put bread or pastries in for a festive addition to a party or table display.
A Collection of Enamelware
If you start a collection or already have a collection of a specific style of enamelware, you can display them together on a shelf.
To add dimension and texture, try incorporating faux greenery like eucalyptus or olive branches in or around the collection.
Enamelware as Outdoor Decor
Using enamelware as part of a front porch display is so pretty and can be used all year!
Try lining a large enamel bowl or pitcher with landscape fabric for drainage and potting ferns or simple flowers in them.
Enamelware Kitchen Staples
Large enamelware kettles brew excellent cowboy coffee.
You can also use an old tea kettle or pot to hold faux stems as a pretty decorative display.
Enamelware as Simple Storage
Small handled cups or enamel containers with sides are cute and easy storage in a bathroom to hold items such as hair clips, Q-tips, or pony tail binders!
Closing Tidbits for Enamel Everywhere: 7 Stunning Ideas for Decorating with Vintage Enamelware
I truly hope this enamel everywhere: 7 stunning ideas for decorating with vintage enamelware, are inspiring for you! It is such a fun item to keep an eye out for when thrifting or antiquing. Enamelware is timeless and will add joy and beauty to your home in whichever way you choose to use it.
Leave me a comment! What is your favorite type of enamelware and how do you display it in your home? I love hearing from you!
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If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.
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36 Comments. Leave new
Hi Rachel,
We live on a small farm in an 1870’s house, or so they say, I think it’s older. I have a few enamelware pitchers. One of the smaller ones, I hold my “egg money” that I get when selling my chickens eggs. The larger one I love to use as a vase. Just love them, they’re so charming.
Hi Cindy!
Thank you for your lovely comment today…they are charming! What a dream to live in a house like that!! My dream is own a property with a barn and an old farmhouse.
Great ideas, Rachel! Love reading your blog💜💗👏🏻
Thank you!!!
Hey Girl! Love this post! Clearly you have excellent taste. Thank you for sharing. Pinned.
I TOTALLY forgot I even wrote this and then was laughing because I was freaking out over yours this morning 🙂 Haahahaha!!
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I can’t believe how much your collection has grown, Rachel! I love all your mugs and pitchers and I’m super excited about the trays you found too. The’re really hard to find down here so they’re definitely a keeper! Hugs, CoCo
Thank you!! Yes…it’s getting harder and harder to find for a decent price, so when I see a piece that I don’t have for a fair price, I scoop it up!
Great post Rachel. I love enamelware, but like you said it is harder to find. XO- MJ
Thanks!!
I love the Campfire marshmallow container…such a cute find!
Thanks so much!! That was my MIL’s..she so kindly gave it to me 🙂
You have a great collection of enamelware and I loved seeing how you use it in your home! I rarely see it around here! Happy collecting!
Thank you! Yes..it is getting harder and harder to find, especially for a decent price.
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Hi Rachel, I have several large enamel pans (I believe they were normally used as wash basins). I don’t know what to do with them. I really don’t want to use them as planters, but that is the only ideas that I come across. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi, Sue!
Thanks so much for the comment!
If you want to use them for decorating purposes, granted I’m not sure how big they are, but I always like to stack a collection of something like that. Like, you can stack them up together, and then in the top one, you could either place a potted plant or create a small vignette with a linen, pitcher or jar, or any other various smaller pieces of decor that you may have.
A more practical option would be to use one to hold shoes in an entry way or closet, or you could also place rolled up towels or hand towels in a bathroom..either place on a countertop or on a stool or something.
Hope that helps!!
Thanks so much again for coming by…have a lovely day!
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