As autumn approaches, it's time to think about the perfect tea kettle, a kitchen staple that is surprisingly difficult to source (especially now that Simplex, maker of classic English tea kettles, is on hiatus). Here are ten great ones:
Above: Francesca swears by the Staub Theiere Teapot, available in black cast iron as well as a range of enameled jewel-like colors (yellow, grenadine, royal blue, basil); $99.95 at Amazon.
Above: Sarah's favorite is the Sori Yanagi Water Kettle, designed by the Japanese master, available in brushed stainless steel; $152.50 at OK in LA.
Above: On Lydia's wish list: the Opa Nuotiokahvipannu, made by Opa Oly, the oldest manufacturer of stainless steel household items in Scandinavia; available for €65 from Retkiaitta.
Above: Le Creuset Kone Kettle in enameled steel; $85.12 from Langton in the UK.
Above: The venerable Belgium company Demeyere makes a 4.5 quart Stainless Steel Teakettle; $32.99 at Sur la Table.
Above: The Le Creuset Stainless Steel Tea Kettle is $100 at Williams-Sonoma.
Above: Julie's next purchase will be the Kaico Kettle, designed by Makoto Koizumi and made of enamel-coated steel with a beechwood handle and maple knob; $140 at Emmo Home.
Above: The BonJour Porcelain Teakettle in black is $39.95 at Amazon.
Above: Illinois-based Copco has been making teakettles since 1962; the Cambridge Stainless Steel Teakettle is $34.99 at Amazon.
Above: Martha Stewart Collection offers a 4-quart stainless steel Teakettle; $39.99 at Macy's.