I've always loved turquoise, but it wasn't until moving lakeside that I felt liberated enough to really embrace the color. In the townhouse I really played it safe because I was so concerned with resale. My style, as you've seen, is actually much bolder when I'm not constrained by trying to create a space everyone will love. I'm the gal who once painted my car lime green - I'm drawn to color.
After painting my kitchen cabinets turquoise, and realizing how HAPPY the room made me, I started to play pretty fast and loose with the color, peppering in some vintage blues and shades of green so it's not all aqua, all the time. There's even a little bright orange here and there. It's been almost three years since we moved to the lakehouse and Hubby and I both agree that our house feels happy and uplifting - and very "us".
If you've been wanting to add a dash of aqua to your kitchen, without going all in like we did, I've rounded up my favorite cheery - and practical! - turquoise kitchen accessories. There's tons of aqua kitchen accessories out there, from cutting boards to kitchens tools, but these are my favorites because they have that perfect mix of modern-retro I love.
Turquoise Bread Box:
Could this retro-inspired turquoise bread box be any cuter? The shape reminds me of an Airstream trailer.
Turquoise Bakery Box:
If you don't have room for a breadbox - or want a matching set - this bakery box is too cute! I'm eyeing it up for storing cookie cutters or kitchen odds and ends.
Kate Spade All in Good Taste Turquoise Kettle:
I love the retro look of this Kate Spade kettle and that soft turquoise hue is pretty perfect. However, this turquoise kettle from Amazon is pretty cute too - its handle is even turquoise.
Turquoise Coffee Maker:
I still use my old porcelain Melitta pour-over brewer, but I'm tempted by automatic coffee machines. I drink so little coffee at home (I'm an avid tea drinker at home, an insatiable coffee drinker when I'm out), but I'd be tempted with a beauty like this on the counter. P.S. Keurig makes a cute turquoise coffee maker too.
Turquoise Pyrex 100 Year Anniversary Measuring Cup:
Don't laugh at me, but when Hubby and I drove to Minneapolis MN one year, getting this cup from Target was definitely one of my main objectives! I also picked up a turquoise colander at the same time.
My oven mitts are so old and - SHOCKER - not aqua. They're about the give up the ghost so I'm already casually shopping for another set and this seems like a good deal - 5 pieces for under $18! This set of turquoise tea towels is pretty too.
Turquoise Metal Colander:
Perfect for instagram-worthy photos of freshly picked strawberries ;)
Turquoise Kitchen Canisters:
I found a second set of turquoise metal canisters, if plastic isn't your jam. I am obsessed with keeping food in sealed jars because I'm terrified of pantry moths!
Turquoise Slow Cooker:
How adorable is this turquoise slow cooker (also this smaller turquoise slow cooker)? When I bought one I had just moved cities and was moving into my first apartment with Hubby. I was so overwhelmed with the ginormous list of things I still needed to buy, I hurriedly bought a huge white slow cooker with a farmhouse kind of vibe. Much to my chagrin, it's one of the few appliances I haven't had to replace. I hate it so, but it does work really well. If you're thinking about a slow cooker DO IT - they make life so easy and there are some really fabulous gourmet slow cooker recipes out there. Just invest in a cuter one than I did, because these things seems to last forever...
Turquoise Kitchen Timer:
Our kitchen timer just up and died one day - and I almost burned the Shepherd's Pie! It was an awesome magnetic timer with multiple hours and two separate timers, which we used everyday. I cannot find its replacement and I'm so bummed, but this turquoise kitchen timer might help me deal with the loss.
This retro turquoise clock with timer is SO similar (I love how more of the aqua shows) but they're both cute, frankly! With a built-in kitchen timer - that's handy!
Turquoise KitchenAid Stand Mixer:
They position the candy-colored stand mixers right by the entrance of my local Canadian Tire and I stop to ogle them every. single. time. I have a perfectly good turquoise hand mixer and a million bowls so I really can't justify this purchase but maybe when we renovate our kitchen and there's far less aqua, I'll splurge because it would look so good out on the counter.
Turquoise Pots and Pans:I am still loving my turquoise Kate Spade non-stick pots (here's the sauce pan) and non-stick pans. When I first used them I still used a little oil, but these days I barely use any - usually none - which has been fabulous because I liked being able to control the amount of cooking oil/fat I consume. They are just so cheery and they look great on the stove top. I swear, they make cooking more enjoyable! Plus they wash up easily and seem to be great quality.
But this Urban Outfitters turquoise cookware set looks like a great deal too, and Rachel Ray has a great turquoise pot set as well. Wow - I didn't realize until now how abundant turquoise pots and pans are!
I have a ridiculous number of blenders: three, to be exact. My turquoise blender, another cheap blender from Costco when it looked like my turquoise one had failed (we fixed it!!), and a magic bullet for when I'm making smoothies solo. We love a good protein smoothie around here, so I devote precious cabinet space to two of my three blenders.
Mint/Sofa Turquoise Toaster:
I used to love a toaster oven but when ours failed, my Mummu gave me a four slice toaster she got for free. It's worth something like $200 and darn it if it isn't the best quality toaster I've ever used! If it ever bits the dust, this turquoise toaster will be my first choice. I don't think I'll ever have the cash for a Smeg fridge, so I love the idea of getting one of these cuties at least, to capture that retro vibe. Who else is craving waffles now?
Turquoise Toaster/Countertop Oven:
This countertop oven is pretty darn amazing. I wonder if I could somehow use it in the boat...
I have recently added a mix of worn wooden spoons to my chrome and turquoise KitchenAid tools (which I store in a clear glass vase on the counter). I've added a few wood accents all over the kitchen, actually, and I love how they've warmed up my turquoise kitchen without adding another color and breaking my mostly monochromatic palette.
Turquoise + Bamboo Cutting Board:
Another way to pair up wood and turquoise: this sweet "dipped" bamboo cutting board!
Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Magnets:
Even though we can tell whether the dishwasher is clean or not because usually the little dishwasher puck caps flips when it's freshly washed, Hubby and I still ask each other, "is the dishwasher clean or dirty?" about three times a day. We need one of these magnets!
Turquoise Kid's Play Kitchen:
I love this retro aqua kid's play kitchen SO much, it would be the best kitchen accessory of all time for a family with littles... Plus, it's under $100 with free shipping right now!
There are quite a few things on this list I'd love to add to my turquoise kitchen. Have you found any cute kitchen accessories lately?
