I set out to add color to my neutral countertops, only to find the perfect inspiration in Lulu’s vintage ’60s kitchen

An unexpected source of color inspiration: The singer's 1960s kitchen is preserved in this archival snapshot, and it's just as perfect in 2025

Lulu
(Image credit: TV Times via Getty Images)

When introducing color to a kitchen, you'd naturally begin with the walls and cabinets, but sometimes, it's not always possible to be so free with the way you paint.

In my case, I'm a renter, so I can't change up my kitchen colors as and when I feel the urge; however, there are many other reasons why painting might not be possible for you. This is when more vibrant accessories can take center stage, and Lulu's vintage kitchen just introduced me to the most functional, unexpected feature yet: A vintage blue kettle.

While I've always sought the best electric kettles to make my perfect cup of tea, Lulu's blue kettle has prompted me to look for a piece that's as striking as it is functional. As something that always sits on my kitchen countertops, my kettle has a rare opportunity to introduce color in a way that's not possible through paint, and it'll always be on show, so I must choose wisely.

Lulu's kitchen dates back to 1967, so inevitably, it's going to feel somewhat dated. However, the vibrancy of the blue kettle against her neutral palette is something that looks just as good in the contemporary day. So, good, in fact, I'm ordering one for my kitchen now.

Lulu

(Image credit: TV Times via Getty Images)

Shop the look

Lulu's kettle reminds me just how impactful these seemingly small accessories can be in elevating a neutral kitchen. However, as Georgia Allman, a product stylist and creative assistant at ProCook, reminds me, you can also introduce color in ways beyond the kettle.

'Transforming your kitchen into a warm, inviting space doesn’t always require a complete overhaul. In many cases, simply decluttering and thoughtfully rearranging what you already own can breathe new life into the room,' she says.

'Start by being intentional with what you display on your worktops. Choose a few well-loved, functional items such as a wooden chopping board, a ceramic utensil holder, or even a small potted herb to keep your surfaces feeling curated rather than cluttered. This approach adds personality to the space and doesn’t require a huge amount of styling.'

Colorful accessories have upgraded kitchens since the '60s, and with Lulu's (unintentional) endorsement, it's hard to resist following her example.


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.

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