Guest Picks: Aqua and Red Kitchen Accessories
This slightly retro color combination makes for a bright and cheerful kitchen
Whether sparse splashes of color against mostly neutrals or a space awash with bright patterns and colors, I'm a firm believer that kitchens need to be lively. And the clean, vibrant combination of red and aqua just screams "kitchen" to me. Even better, this color duo would fit beautifully in either of the above scenarios — against neutrals, or (like my kitchen) mixed with limes, orange, yellow and other crazy colors.
— Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie
— Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie
Retro Kitchen Wall Clock, Red
A classic, retro, red clock hanging above the doorway is a must for any kitchen. One might argue that the microwave, oven and maybe even toaster oven and coffee maker tell you the time already, but I stand by my declaration.
14" Cake Stand, Sea of Love
While this gorgeous cake stand is more than I can afford for everyday use, given that it's handcrafted with sustainable soft maple wood, I understand the price tag. If I did own this stand, I would make use of every penny and would use it all the time. I'd keep this on my kitchen counter to corral those pesky, random bits that end up all over the kitchen (my olive oil, the butter dish, salt and pepper shakers, whatever).
Tea And Toast Butter Dish, Bright Red
Remember way back when people didn't worry about things like leaving butter out all day on the kitchen counter? I grew up with a pig butter dish sitting on mine, but this one will do for my aqua and red kitchen.
KitchenAid "Artisan" 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer, Aqua Sky
This is the one! This is exactly the KitchenAid mixer that I want. Sure KitchenAids last forever, and the one I have still runs after 20 years, so I can't really justify a new purchase. But I did lose one of the knobs? And, um, this one is a little bigger? Plus, it has that flour guard. And it would match my kitchen perfectly.
Crosley 302 Wall Phone, Red
No kitchen is complete without a phone hanging on the wall — especially the kind with the long curly cord pulled taut when you walk into the family room to hand your sister the phone.
Retro Refrigerator, Beach Blue
This is just like the one in "I Love Lucy." It's beyond my price range, but I do like looking at it. Maybe some day when I'm rich and famous, I'll have a vacation home with a retro-fitted kitchen.
Magnetic Kitchen Timer, Light Blue
I actually have this timer. Sure my oven comes with one, as does my microwave, but how could I resist the vintage charm? Of course, with my stainless steel fridge, I have this timer delicately balanced on the two inches of space on the side of the fridge sticking out of the wall.
Chantal® Red Bridge Tea Kettle
I'm only an occasional tea drinker, but I'm a daily (um, several times daily) coffee drinker — French press only. I always have water boiling, and I always have my teapot on the stove. Hence, it has to be in a bright color. I think it's a rule.
Benjamin® Bomber Porcelain Stem Mount Light
I need to replace pretty much every inefficient, ancient, dated light fixture in my fixer-upper house. Yay, one would think, new lighting, new ceiling fans! But there are so many fantastic possibilities, I can't choose! I've been stuck with my inefficient outdated lights due to indecision. I love this one for the kitchen — and it comes in red too!
Oval Stoneware Bread Basket, Red
I own this exact bread basket in white, and I use it for every holiday. It's super sturdy and pretty to boot.
Spello Arabesque Aqua Indoor/Outdoor Rug
I've been a bit obsessed with trying to find a good area rug for the kitchen sink area, one that will stand up to repeated washing (I spill a lot).
The Dinner Party, Red
How crazy is this? This table folds down to seven inches wide. I can't even fathom how that's possible. Although, after living in a studio apartment for years, I appreciate anything that saves space.
Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase
While vases don't scream "kitchen," whenever I buy fresh flowers I always, always put some of them in the kitchen too. This is a bit fancier than my standard mason jar vase.
Sparrow Key Ring
Given my husband's penchant for losing keys, I bought two of these for the wall. Walk in door, put bird in his house, never lose keys — at least that's the theory.
Calypso Basics 5-quart Powder Coated Colander, Turquoise
I don't use my turquoise colander for draining. I keep it on the counter for bananas and apples and things. Then I dig out my 20-year-old, unsightly colander from the cupboard for pasta.
Symmetry Red Dishtowel
Instead of cafe curtains in my kitchen, I got tension rods and clips and just used dish towels. As a bonus, when all the towels are in the washing machine, you can dry your hands on the curtains — not that I do that.
Medallion Knob, Turquoise
These may be too intricate and gorgeous for my kitchen (sigh), but I love these knobs. And they come in red too.
Superior Server Holiday Set
Whenever I host a party or dinner, I never, ever have enough utensils for serving. Of course, I never, ever remember this until I'm actually serving, and then promptly forget the next day. Note to self: get these oversize serving utensils.
Classic Farberware 12 Piece Nonstick Cookware Set, Turquoise
I just love this color. I bought a couple of inexpensive, turquoise skillets at HomeGoods that I hang in my kitchen on hooks. They're decorative and practical space-savers.
Swell Pot Holder Set
I love the vintage feel of these potholders. I have some similar ones dangling from my cabinet knobs next to the oven. Textiles are a great way to add warmth and keep with the aqua and red color scheme.
Next: Favorite Color Combinations: Turquoise and Red
Next: Favorite Color Combinations: Turquoise and Red