I used to hate the taste of coffee, now I can’t get enough of the stuff. My morning coffee is one of my favourite moments of the day and one of the first things I do when I wake up – a few quiet minutes of calm just to myself, to slowly wake up and come to before the day really begins. During the week I’m a get-up-and-go kind of girl, the more time spent in bed the better, so a quick touch of my coffee machine is my saviour. At the weekends, the pace slows down and I can brew a large, steaming pot to treasure over a big pile of books and magazines in bed.
As my coffee habits have grown and matured, so has my eye for all the paraphernalia that comes with it – amassing dozens of teacups and mugs in all shapes and sizes, French presses and milk jugs in the process. But I always ended up using the same cup day in day out. Now, instead of leaving all the best things in the back of the cupboard to gather dust, saving them for a ‘special occasion’, I’ve been trying to use my favourite, most precious objects everyday. Because I think those simple, everyday moments, like my morning coffee, should be a little bit special, bringing an element of joy to the mundane.
So I’ve been savouring these latest additions to my new kitchen from design brand Stelton. I’ve written about their iconic Cylinda-line designed in 1967 by Arne Jacobsen before (see it here) but these are from their latest collections. They’re minimal and contemporary with a Scandinavian aesthetic, designed to rediscover the ritual and culture of coffee brewing. The smart black pieces fit right into the style of my grey and white home and have streamlined my coffee collection to the bare, beautiful essentials.
It’s so hard to find a good-looking, well-designed kettle, isn’t it? They can be really ugly, bulky things. Stelton’s Emma electric kettle, designed by Danish studio HolmbäckNordento, is streamlined with clean, modern lines and an elegant little spout – no unnecessary gadgetry or pretentious logos. It’s available in black, grey and blue and has a beautiful, natural wooden handle. I think it looks so smart against the white worktop.
The award-winning Theo collection, made of matte black Scandinavian stoneware, has been designed to be tactile and appeal to the senses. It’s been created by Canadian designer Francis Cayouette, who founded Unit10 design in Copenhagen, and comprises a teapot, a slow-brew coffee maker, a milk jug, French press coffee maker, mini bowls and mugs. The striking collection features a lovely, raw exterior and glazed interior, with smooth bamboo details.
I love the slightly industrial look, fusing an element of Asian style with a dose of Danish design. The cups fit beautifully into the palm of the hand, while little bamboo lids keep drinks warm for longer. The jugs have a beautiful silhouette and a band of rubber around their neck to help you grip them.
We use the slow-brew coffee maker, above, a lot at the weekends for long, savoured coffees. It has a filter funnel that attaches onto the jug. The funnel has just three little holes, so the run-through time of the water is slower, helping to intensify the flavour of the coffee. The funnel can be taken off to pour the coffee and replaced with a bamboo lid to lock in heat. The aroma of fresh coffee brewing in the morning is just divine!
Now morning coffee moments are even better, always cherished and appreciated, from the ritual of slowly pouring the water over the fragrant coffee grounds and waiting for the magic to happen, to holding the warm cups and taking the first sip. Not only to they provide a simple element of joy to the everyday in using them, they also make me happy just looking at their simple, functional form. They stand proudly on my worktop, contrasting with the white background, waiting for their next use.
So, how do you take your coffee? Are you a connoisseur or bit of a coffee snob too?
All images: Cate St Hill. Disclosure: These items were kindly gifted to me by Stelton
