19/08/2026
Thanks for asking for my two pennies worth for this feature in Country Living UK | by the brilliant LKH 🌻
WARM FUNCTIONAL & A BIT ECCENTRIC 6 Kitchen items set to rise in value on 2026 ~
“In terms of kitchen collectables that earn their keep both aesthetically and financially, a name that springs to mind is Alessi,” Camilla Kelly, antiques expert and founder of The Mint List Studio, explains. “I’ve always loved the brand because it brings something sculptural to a kitchen — even more practical pieces feel like miniature works of art.”
Alessi was founded in an Italian village known for metalworking and woodworking in 1921, beginning as a family-run business crafting fine brass, copper, and nickel-silver tableware, before evolving into a globally renowned design business.
“Whether it’s a polished steel fruit bowl, a Michael Graves kettle or one of Philippe Starck’s iconic designs, Alessi pieces have an incredible ability to add shape and visual interest to the kitchen space,” Camilla adds.
One of the most famous Alessi designs is Philippe Starck’s Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer, a piece so prestigious that it’s featured in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)’s permanent collection — and the iconic status of pieces like this further Alessi’s appeal as a collectable brand.
“I still think the Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer is one of the most beautiful pieces of kitchen design,” Camilla explains. “Apparently, Starck drew the original squid-like design on a paper napkin - inspired while squeezing lemon over calamari in an Italian restaurant.
“Jury’s out as to whether it’s the best lemon squeezer out there — but it’s stunning! It is now widely available, but a limited-edition finish or a boxed vintage original is highly collectable.”
“There are very few brands that offer a lifetime guarantee, but Le Creuset is one of them,” Camilla explains. “It occupies a totally different space from Alessi but is no less desirable.
