The Decades-Old Kitchen Cookware Trend That's Making A Stylish Comeback In Homes Today

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In the 1960s and 1970s, iconic chef and TV personality Julia Child introduced Americans to a particular type of enameled cast-iron cookware. The brand she originally popularized was called Descoware, which was later acquired by famous French cookware company Le Creuset. Either way, it was likely on every home cook's wish list, and not just for the high-quality construction. This cookware boasted a brightly colored glazed exterior.

Today, Le Creuset's famous Dutch oven — and a wide array of other cookware — is available in a rainbow of hues. It allows people to match their cookware to their existing kitchen decor or cook food that's as visually delightful as it is delicious. Renters can use the practical products to add color they can take with them to their kitchens. And it's not just cast-iron pots that sport bright hues. Even everyday pans that might have once been finished in sedate black, stainless steel, or other metals come in an array of lively colors.

This popular trend offers an almost effortless way to refresh your kitchen without spending big on a remodel. For example, imagine that you love the rich, calming vibe of emerald green, one of the rich color trends that's set to dethrone white cabinets in kitchens. Instead of replacing your cabinets or repainting your walls to bring the nature-inspired color into your space, you could simply choose a frying pan or saucepan in that shade. Using colorful cookware is a creative way to add a pop of color to your kitchen — and arguably one of the best ways. Just make sure you're doing it right before you dive in.

There's no need to splurge. Start small with one pan in a vibrant hue. For instance, if you often cook in a frying pan, why not select a nonstick one in your favorite color, like this GreenLife 12-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan in bubblegum pink. Cooking with colorful cookware can be nostalgic — think of the pastel blues, yellows, and greens prevalent in 1950s kitchens. Recapture those vibes with this blue Redchef 3.5 Quart Lidded Nonstick Ceramic Sauce Pan. Prefer the avocado green of the 1970s? Or the primary red, blue, and yellow of the 1980s? You might be able to pick up a piece or perhaps even a whole set in those retro shades from thrift stores or vintage shopping sites like Etsy.

Today's vibrant pots and pans offer more than simple aesthetic appeal. There's also a practical aspect to their popularity. Their artful exteriors make entertaining easier. The pot becomes a feature in a carefully curated tablescape instead of a distraction. A maroon red or toasty blue pot filled with a hearty soup would look beautiful on a winter holiday table. A candy floss pink Artestia Cast Iron Cheese Fondue Pot Set filled with melted chocolate or cheese could sit sweetly on a date night or Valentine's Day table. If you decide to go gusto and use nothing but gorgeous rainbow-hued cookware, try to do so sustainably. Gift or donate any cookware that's still in good working order and dispose of your old pots and pans correctly if they're scratched or broken.