The History of Vitreous Enamel in the Kitchen
Kitchens are the heart of the home and likewise, vitreous enamel has been at the heart of kitchens for centuries. Familiarity with this incredible material varies from person to person, depending on age and fashions at the time. However, whether it’s a whole kitchen adorned with Vitreous Enamel or some choice pieces of tableware, few will have missed its renaissance in recent years. From the stylish enamel lampshades and retro wall art in your favourite cafés and bars, to the latest renovation projects of savvy homeowners, one thing is certain, Vitreous Enamel’s exceptional qualities are rapidly being rediscovered and increasingly utilised.
Early History
Vitreous enamel is made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate at extremely high temperatures. This process melts the powder which hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. From the 18th century, enamels began to be applied to metal consumer objects, including kitchen sinks and cooking vessels. This process continues to this day, and one brand most of us recognise, is that favourite wedding list staple, Le Creuset. Highly regarded for making cookware with outstanding performance and durability, the famous French company only achieves these results due to the inherent qualities of vitreous enamel.
An Icon
In the 1920s another icon was born. The unmistakable ice-white and blue-rimmed Falcon enamelware is as popular today as it has ever been. The style, functionality, and longevity, aided by enamel’s excellent eco credentials, means new generations are filling their kitchen cupboards with wonderful enamelware that can last a lifetime.
Mid-Century
By mid-century, enamel’s use was expanding in the kitchen, to create cabinet doors, countertops, and tables. Favoured for its ability to stand up to high use in domestic and professional kitchens, its strong uptake was also due to its unrivalled ability to retain stunning colouration. This coincided with people’s desire to move beyond the traditional kitchens of the past and inject some colour and personality into their homes.
Today
Building on the centuries of knowledge and development, Vlaze is now taking vitreous enamel in the kitchen forwards in the 21st century. Vlaze’s Splashbacks make use of every one of its outstanding properties to create, quite simply, the perfect kitchen wall surface. Engineered from steel and adorned in our vitreous enamel surfaces, a luxurious vibrant glaze that is heatproof, hygienic and stain-resistant. Vlaze also specialises in made-to-measure vitreous enamel work surfaces, tables, and countertops, giving your kitchen a completely unique look and feel. Finally, Vlaze ADAPT is a new innovative range of modular and free-standing kitchen units that can be moved freely from indoors to outside. Designed for outdoor living these mobile units offer the perfect solution for food preparation, garden storage and al fresco dining.
____________________________
Generations have benefitted from the wonder that is Vitreous Enamel. The process has been honed over time and new innovative ideas for its use continue to be conjured. It is unrivalled in its ability to marry beauty, functionality, and longevity and for this reason, its ubiquity will only grow through this century and beyond.
Find out more about Vlaze. To stay up to date with the latest releases, follow us on Instagram.