Le Creuset - Midnight Blue - at Bloomies

[hobbybaker]

Just saw this color at Bloomies this week. They said it is a new color only available in Bloomies.
Kind of cute with sparkle in the finish even though the blue is very dark.

"As Le Creuset celebrates 85 years of Cast Iron cookware, a new star is born as we reveal a unique new look to Cast Iron with the introduction of a stunning, Pearlescent finish – a first in cookware. The new Midnight Blue range has a subtle sparkle in its Pearlescent finish that guarantees this cookware will be the star of the kitchen. "

http://www.cookware-online.co.uk/shop/pots-and-pans/le-creuset-cast-iron-and-poterie/le-creuset-midnight-blue.html

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog...

[jnk]

I saw an ad in the newspaper this weekend saying that the new blue color l.c. is 30 percent off.
Hope this helps someone.

[Jay F]

What paper was that in?

[jnk]

Sorry for the late reply, but it was either the NY Times and the Star Ledger.

[NotJuliaChild]

The sizes for this color are limited.

Count me as disappointed.

[breadchick]

It nearly makes me think of a finer version of graniteware!

[hobbybaker]

That is true. Their new Ocean color reminds me of Oriental Celadon Porcelain. Maybe those "material" feel is new color scheme to LC.

[breadchick]

Yes, I can see that with the new Ocean.

[Island]

Ocean looks like celadon? Well then I need to see that in person because I love celedon, but in pics Ocean looks too dark and grayish.

I don't think midnight blue is for me either. As much as I like a little sparkle, I don't want disco or auto body paint colors in my kitchen. Love how there is something for everyone though.

[Jay F]

Here's celadon, courtesy of Google Images. http://www.google.com/images?q=celado...

I *wish* LC Ocean were this color.

[Island]

Yeah that's my vision of celedon. Haven't seen LC jade in person, but that looks closer to celedon than ocean.

[Jay F]

It does resemble LC Jade. Definitely.

[blondelle]

The Jade stoneware was closer to celadon. The Jade CI had a bit more yellow in it. The Jade stoneware was a gorgeous color.

[hobbybaker]

I think ocean is close to grayish celedon like this. I have something similar to this.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

[blondelle]

Graniteware isn't metallic though. This is a very fine silver glitter in the enamel. Sorry LB, but I have no interest in glittery cookware. I wish they would direct their energies towards getting their new enamel onto their classic line, and some new 'normal', non muddy colors.

[blondelle]

Whoops! Meant to say ---Sorry, LC... Read my own post and didn't know what I was talking about...LOL!

[NotJuliaChild]

I like it.

You can save nearly one hundred dollars by buying it in the U.K. and having it shipped to the U.S. That's dysfunctional.

At Bloomingdale's prices, even Williams Sonoma is a bargain. That's even more dysfunctional.

[hobbybaker]

I know the price at B is prohibitive. I can only buy things there at Home Sale days after going through LC and WS outlet stores:)

[Jay F]

Yeah, that is tres cher chez Bloomingdale: $300 for a Midnight 4.5 qt. v. $200 @ W-S for a 4.5 in Ocean.

I've decided I can't decide whether I like something until I see it in person. I thought I would love Kiwi/Lemongrass after looking at it on Ina's stovetop for a year, but when I saw it at the outlet mall, I thought the graduated aspect made it look really cheap. Maybe it was an entire faulty dye lot, but the only pieces I liked were the short ones.

[NotJuliaChild]

Not only that, but the pieces at WS are "Signature", which has enamel that is 3x thicker than the old stock plus all the other improvements.

Bloomingdale's is asking a very large premium for color exclusivity.

[hobbybaker]

The enamel of Signature line is 3x thicker? I checked WS site but unable to find the specific numbers how the enamel is better than the one for the traditional line. Could you tell me where I can find this info ? Maybe Blondelle can tell this, too.

[NotJuliaChild]

It was told to me by a sales associate in the store. The line is exclusive to them, so I take her at her word.

She knew her stuff. The only question she didn't know was the thickness of the copper on a Mauviel saucepan.

[blondelle]

The WS site lists all the benefits of the new line but no #'s except for how much larger the new handles are--45% I think.

[hobbybaker]

Thanks. I have seen it. I look for some hard numers telling me how better the enamel of new signature line is to think the new line is worthwile to buy as my friend asked me which is better for long-term choice.

[blondelle]

Sorry LC, but no! NO pearlescent cookeware, and no Staub Titanium either. Staub looks like metalized plastic. I don't want my cookware to look like car paint, or Xmas tinsel. Just keep coming out now and then with pretty, normal, colors, and I will be happy.

[hobbybaker]

so another disaster to you after Truffle and Ocean ? too bad. I thought you are the VP of marketing :)

[blondelle]

Well, I hope no one still thinks I work for the company...LOL! Yes, another disaster. Let us not forget Slate. Maybe the upcoming Fennel will save the day. Hope it's similar to Jade.

[iyc_nyc]

Blondelle, have you seen the Staub titanium in person? I was thinking about getting it but can't get find a local stores that carry it so that I could take a look.

Also, have you seen the Staub graphite, and if so, how does that compare to the titanium?

I agree I don't like the pearlescent LC look.

[hobbybaker]

iny, if you are close to Westchester, chef's central might have titanium..

http://www.chefcentral.com/product1.a...

[iyc_nyc]

Thanks, I sadly don't drive but appreciate your letting me know where I might find it. :-)

[blondelle]

I haven't seen the titanium in person, but on several online photos it looked really glitzy. In some it looked more like pewter but it seemed to show fingerprints. It's a metallic finish. The Graphite is a pretty, warm light gray, translucent shiny enamel with charcoal highlights on the higher areas such as the rings and lettering where the enamel is thinner. WS said it's selling well, unlike the LC Slate which was a similar gray. I wish they would have done it in white instead with the same highlights.

Here it looks more like pewter:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/co...

There was another photo I saw though that had it looking much lighter and brighter and like tinsel. Can't locate it now, Maybe someone who has seen it or has it can answer.

[iyc_nyc]

Blondelle, thanks-- I saw the Kitchen photo as well, and Apt Therapy seems to have loved the titanium. But I didn't want a glitzy look.

Do you actually like the graphite then? I know WS has it so I might go take a look in person.

If anyone has seen the titanium in person, pls weigh in!

[mikie]

I have not seen the titanium in person, but we bought our kids each a DO in Graphite for Christmas, and it looks very attractive. I think blondelle described very well. It's not glitzzy at all, I can't even find a good photo of the titanium to make a comparison.

[iyc_nyc]

Great, many thanks - super helpful. Any thoughts on a color to go with it, one that is brighter and pops? Don't like the other Staub colors a/v at WS (too dark) and am happy to mix/match with LC if I have to..

[mikie]

The nice thing about the graphite is that it's relatively neutral, so you should be able to add just about any color, that's one reason we picked it for gifts. There is a nice bright green "Pesto" that I've seen, it's a very nice color. They also have yellow, orange and cherry red (different than the WS red) that are all bright colors.

[iyc_nyc]

Great, thanks -- WS has limited colors but I will look for the orange. Red + gray seems to suggest 'cadet' to me.

[KansasKate]

Mikie, if you've seen Staub's cherry red and pimento red in person, how are they different? Are they both shaded? MTIA.

[blondelle]

I like the graphite. I think it's a beautiful enamel. I just don't like the way food looks in it. It just seems to clash with the food colors. Funny, I don't mind the gray of steel or the charcoal of anodized, but as pretty as it is it's still not complimentary to the food in it I feel. That color was originally done for restaurant kitchens. I just wish it would have been a translucent white, instead of the gray which is a little dreary to me. I love the bright LC colors. Staub does make some bright colors but they aren't in that gorgeous enamel with the highlights. The Pesto has the highlights though, but not the Cherry, Orange or Lemon. The older Sunflower yellow was highlighted.

If the Titanium is the pewter look I think it is very pretty. It just doesn't have that country French look I liked in Staub.The Pesto was too aggressive of a green for me. Too jarring, but nice on a smaller piece. Are the lettering and rings on the Titanium the same color or are they lighter or darker. That deep blue did have the lettering and rings highlighted in a lighter blue which was very pretty. I wish Staub did a charcoal or black with lighter grayed beige rings and lettering. That with the white with the darker rings and lettering would be stunning.

Are the photos on my link above accurate to what the Titanium looks like in person?

[iyc_nyc]

I agree re: the white. I have Staub's current white and it's solid, looks almost chaulk-like.

I might try mixing up the Staub graphite + white with the LC carribean.

[wvgardener]

I have two pieces of Staub in titanium purchased from Cutlery and More and I love the look. It is a dark pewter metallic finish that I find quite elegant but that's all a matter of personal preference. The graphite is a graduated color in that it's not the same intensity all over. Titanium is the same all over much like the WS and SLT dark, dark blue which I also have. It's a real pain not to be able to see the color in person. It's difficult to get a good photo of a shiny metallic object, but if you compare the photos at cutleryandmore.com you might be able to tell the difference between the two.

I might have seen the titanium at two stores in the Cincinnati-Dayton area called Cook's Wares. Call first to confirm that if you're planning to visit. I know for sure that they had the new Staub basil color there. WS sells it online only. It's a deep rich color that I may have to buy one of to add to the collection. By the way for those in the area, Cook's Wares are wonderful stores. I think they have every item in every color of LC, Staub and Emile Henry. Unfortunately, they're at least four hours away for me, but a definite stop if I'm in the area.

[iyc_nyc]

Wvgardener, thank you for this thoughtful response - this is very helpful. Dark pewter metallic won't go with my decor but it sounds like a very nice color!

[KansasKate]

WVgardener, can you tell a difference between the sapphire from WS and the marin-blue from SLT? I have both, and they look the same to me. I've only seen the royal online but it looks brighter. The shading on Staub & LC looks a little too faux-finish for my taste.

[NotJuliaChild]

My local Williams Sonoma has a 5 quart cocotte in basil sitting on a shelf. Very nice color.