The centre of every British home is its electric kettle. In our house we don’t even drink tea, but there it still stands a symbol of the British institution. I’ve always been mystified by its lack of status in the American home. Generally quicker than a stove top pan, the kettle is perfect for hot water on demand. We use ours for topping up pans that are in danger of boiling dry, mixing up stock cubes, even topping up the bath when the hot water has run out, as well as the ever popular tea our guests crave. Prestige have recently released a new electric kettle that brings a wonderful retro style to Britain’s favourite appliance. A simple domed form sings out with fabulous colour. The handle is a wonderful flattened tube that is easy to grip and hold. Bringing the vintage style into the modern age, Prestige have incorporated a subtle base which uses the modern central docking pin design. Amazingly simple, the pin design allows the kettle to be easy replaced from any angle, removing the old hassle of aligning the kettle on its base exactly. Prestige have also added a subtle water level indicator, which is extremely useful but doesn’t intrude on the sleek vintage style. Available in black, silver, almond, red, and the trendy duck egg blue, there is a colour for every kitchen. Perfect for bringing a sense of familiarity and friendly warmth to your kitchen the Prestige Deco kettle is just £52
July 2008 EDIT: A bit hard to find now, you can still get the Almond Prestige Deco Kettle for £45 from Heal's.