The Bizze Home: April 2023

Vintage French Copper Cookware

Sunday, April 30, 2023

I'm here to let you in on the secret of cooking with tin-lined copper cookware, specifically vintage copper. There is a joy to working with quality cookware, something old that has lasted many generations, and countless cooks have used to serve sumptuous meals. Just ask Julia Child, the famous chef who cooked almost exclusively with copper cookware.

I first became fascinated by cooking with vintage copper when I stumbled upon this website: Vintage French Copper, the quintessential source for all things vintage copper on the web. The founder of this site is an enthusiast and a collector, but they offer invaluable insight in to vintage copper makers, marks, and cooking advice. I would advise anyone wanting to purchase vintage copper cookware to first peruse this site.

That said, I know many of you don't have time to fall down an internet rabbit hole and dedicate hours to research. So I'd love to impart a few copper cookware tips.

The most important thing to know when cooking with tin-lined copper specifically, whether it's vintage or new, is not to cook with it on very high temperatures. Tin is a relatively soft metal and at high temperatures (above 450 degrees) it can melt and "smear" inside your pan. Smearing is a sign that a tin lined copper pan has been over-heated. Copper is such an excellent conductor of heat you simply don't need to cook with it at very high temperatures like you might with cast iron or stainless steel (which comparatively, are poor heat conductors).

Another tin-lined copper cookware tip is be sure to clean it carefully. Do not use abrasive scrub sponges on tin interiors, tin can be rubbed away over time or easily scratched with the wrong type of cleaning implement. Use sponges marked "non-scratch" and boil off hard to clean food bits on the stove with a little soap and water. Let the water cool and then clean your pan. With this method stuck on food bits will rub off easily.

Also do not use metal utensils when cooking with tin-lined copper. These will scratch and damage your tin interior. I use only silicone spoons, spatulas and whisks when cooking in my vintage copper pans.

Lastly you will need to dry your pan thoroughly after you hand wash it (do not put vintage tin lined copper cookware in the dishwasher -- just don't) so the cast or forged iron handles do not rust.

I know, I know, so many don'ts! Why you ask, would you want to cook with such high maintenance pans?

Ok, so here's the real truth: copper cookware just cooks things better, and copper responds to heat changes immediately, so things don't get overcooked like can happen in cast iron pans which stay hot for a long time. Tin-lined copper is also somewhat non-stick, certainly more so than a stainless steel lined pan, and over time the tin hardens and becomes even more non-stick as cooking oils polymerize on the surface. Copper is also beautiful, and sturdy. Any vintage copper pans you buy now will most certainly outlive you.

So how do you know what kind of vintage copper to buy, and where? Well the best sources in my opinion are Ebay, Etsy, and private sellers or flea markets. You should look for cast iron handles, and copper that is at least 2.5mm - 3mm thick. Some cooks will tell you that 1.5mm is sufficient, and many contemporary pans will be this thickness, but to truly experience the wonder of copper cookware, go thicker. The thicker the copper, the more evenly heat will be distributed, and the more coveted by enthusiasts and collectors.

You will also want to make sure that the tin interior is new or in good condition, any copper showing through means the tin lining must be re-done to make it safe for cooking. Re-tinning of copper pans can run anywhere from $75-$150 from reputable craftsmen, many of which you can find with a simple google search or through Etsy. Do not cook on tin-lined copper cookware that has copper showing through the tin, cooking directly on copper surfaces can be toxic and detrimental to your health. All copper cookware is lined with another metal before it becomes safe to cook with, tin is the most common vintage lining (though you will see nickel and even silver on occasion), and a stainless steel lined pan is very easily found today in contemporary offerings such as from the famous French maker, Mauviel.

Hunt Ebay, ask questions of sellers, and don't buy everything you want or need all at once. Take your time, collect, and cook with one good copper pan before deciding how you feel about it. Fall in love with copper, and everything you cook and everyone you cook for, will thank you.

*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.

lifestyle

Natural Silk Dyeing Tutorial for Taproot Magazine

Sunday, April 23, 2023

If you're in to ad-free reading material with fun cooking and craft tutorials as well as heartfelt essays and recipes, then please check out Taproot Magazine! I wrote a natural silk dyeing tutorial for issue 56 entitled "Cultivate" on shelves now and available for purchase and subscription through their website.

I've been dyeing silk for over a decade and sell rainbow silk sets in my etsy toy shop Little Raven Toys. The tutorial included in Taproot is a little different however, I give a run down of how to dye silk with natural food based ingredients, including beets, turmeric, spirulina and blueberries. Each ingredient creates a unique earthy color that's set with all natural white distilled vinegar. This tutorial is little helper friendly and can be a really fun spring activity for moms and kids.

To source your materials just use grocery store food items and buy your silk from my favorite supplier, Dharma Trading. I use the ladies silk handkerchiefs in the 11" x 11" size, though you could buy any size you desire. Just keep in mind larger silks will need more dye, and a larger dye pot.

This issue also contains some fantastic recipes, essays, and a gorgeous knitting pattern. I'm really proud to be associated with this female led publication and hope to write more for them in the future. You can find this issue at select stockists and libraries, there is a directory by state for local sources here.

home decor · reviews

Pottery Barn Odessa Rug Review

Saturday, April 22, 2023

I love to review higher priced decor pieces here on the blog so others can decide if something is worth the investment and read an honest review of the item in question. No one wants to shell out a thousand dollars for a rug only to find it doesn’t meet expectations.

When I purchased the Pottery Barn Odessa rug in the 8' x 11' size I couldn't find any reviews online and bought it with my fingers crossed. I actually found it for sale on Wayfair.com as the Rushmore Rug (Something that boutique companies like to do is rename an item and sell it for a higher price -- I wrote an entire blog post about just this topic) and paid about 40% less than what Pottery Barn had it listed for. It's the exact same rug by the same company, just listed under a different name.

Now, do I love the rug after living with it for two+ years? The answer is yes, and no. First off, the Odessa/Rushmore rug is gorgeous, and in person it looks very much like the photo if not a little bit more beige in person. This rug is actually two sided and the product photos show what I considered to be the underside -- which I think is an oversight because the opposite side has a higher pile. See what I mean? (in the pic below I have my rug flipped with the product photo side on the underside next to the rug pad. Ignore the giant dusty bunny...):

Looks aside this rug is a little thinner than I had hoped and we had to use a 1/2" rug pad underneath. It's now comfortable to walk and lay on for short periods but I wouldn’t call it plush under foot. Honestly, it's beautiful, but the biggest caveat has been kind of a bummer -- loose fibers working their way out daily and two years later it still clogs my Dyson cordless vacuum when I clean it.

I get on my hands and knees ya'll, weekly, to snip all the wool pieces that stick out of this rug from just normal wear and tear of walking on it (we do not wear shoes in my house either). This was a huge disappointment to say the least, given the price of this rug. A certain amount of snipping is normal for a hand knotted rug, but after several years my old lady knees have really had enough.

Sadly, this is one item I would say to skip. I love the look of this rug in my living room, but it hasn't been worth the headaches and I'm on the hunt for something more durable with less overall maintenance. For the price I expected more, and would not recommend unless you don't mind continuing maintenance.

home decor

The Best Coffee Table Books for Decor, Styling and Stacking

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Using beautiful hardbound books as accessories in the home is not a new idea, but stacking books in vignettes around the house or on bookshelves can really kick your style up a notch. I’m here to take the pain out of searching and give you a few pre-made coffee table book stack ideas for your bookshelf, coffee table, or nightstand. Behold, above, my own favorite book stack that resides in my living room where I sport a coastal boho vibe (and the shell on top is like the icing on the cake!). My particular bookshelf is 11.5" deep. Find the these exact books here: Patterns of India, Made for Living, Live Beautiful.

Another fav book stack of mine is for the kitchen. If you're like me you've fallen in love with open shelving and the style and versatility it can bring to a kitchen. When I saw this photo from Le Creuset's agave collection I swooned and knew I needed these books! I thoroughly enjoyed La Buvette in particular, and if you’re a wine lover it’s a must read! Find these books here: La Buvette, Open Kitchen , and Ojas.

The stack below is from an interior design I did this past year where the theme was loosely nautical boho. Admittedly the picture is not great, my apologies. The top two books are very easy to find and the bottom book is a bit harder, but measures about 12.5" x 11" if you need to find a surrogate. The Kaufmann Mercantile is a fascinating read and would make a great stocking stuffer for the man in your life! Buy the books here: The Kaufmann Mercantile, Monet, North: Adventures in the Frozen Wild.

For a more luxe vibe I love this three book stack with the black and white color scheme. These would be perfect on a side table next to a velvet sofa or in a modern feminine bedroom. Just as you see in this photo, stacking something sculptural on top of your books is a great punctuation mark and helps to create the "moment". Find the books here: Chanel Collections and Creations, Elements of Style, Coco Chanel.

All of these stacks have been sets of three which are a favorite of mine but don't be afraid to do two or more, and up to five if the space is big enough and the bottom book is hefty. Don't necessarily worry about staying within the same subject matter, though that can be a nice bonus when it works. Enjoy, have fun, and have an excuse to buy more books!

reviews

Serena and Lily, A Tucker Chair Review

Monday, April 3, 2023

The "Tucker" chair is a beautiful Windsor style chair that comes in six colors. I currently have six Tucker chairs in black at my own dining table and have had them since 2021. This is a Serena and Lily "Tucker" chair review for those interested in this petite yet sturdy farmhouse style chair.

First of all, I don't baby chairs in my house, I have two teenagers and a 6' tall husband who weighs in at about 185lbs, and we all sit in these chairs, put our feet in them, stand on them, and eat all the things while sitting in them (spaghetti, hot cheese sauce, sticky mixed drinks, etc.). These chairs have been through it. I'm happy to say that none are broken, and all are as still as sturdy as the day I bought them, which surprised me giving their petite stature. Here are the stats as per the Serena and Lily website:

Made of solid beech.
Designed for smaller tables and spaces.
Gorgeously handcrafted by a historic furniture maker in the Czech Republic.
17.5"W x 19"D x 33.5"H overall.
Seat Height: 18".
Seat Depth: 15.75".
Seat Width: 16".
Holds up to 300 lbs.

The Tucker chair is also sold at Design Within Reach as the "Salt" chair (same chair, just different name), and they are made by TON, a European maker based in the Czech Republic. They are constructed of European beech wood and the paint is fantastic (I can attest to this as my husband has created several divots in the chairs with a sharp sided card case holder he keeps in his back pocket -- but they are only divots and no paint has chipped at all). The wood is not as hard as oak or maple however, and you will get dents and divots as you can see in the photo below, on the seat especially as it seems to be more vulnerable than the legs and back pieces.

Overall I've been happy with these chairs but I see that they've gone up in price quite a bit since I bought them in 2021. With the pandemic it seems that everything has inflated in price, especially furniture. I would recommend waiting on a sale, which seems to happen with more frequency and better discounts at Design Within Reach than S&L.

The "Tucker" chair is truly a sturdy, stylish option that pairs well with coastal decor, farmhouse and classically designed rooms. These are a purchase I don't think you can regret.

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