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The Enamel Mug Has Conquered the Office

Why the world's most indestructible cup has become an unlikely status symbol this winter.

Four white metal mugs on brown wooden table

2 min read

Once found only in campsites and on farms, the chipped white enamel mug has now spread silently through every open-plan office and every good café in town.

Why this one

We tested it for six weeks in a real household with real children and an unreasonable dog. It has picked up a small dent, a slight patina and an unexpected amount of affection, which is about the best thing that can be said for any object in a home.

The chip is not a flaw. It is your proof of purchase.

Using it every day

Build quality is immediately obvious when you pick it up. The weight is right, the joints are tight and nothing rattles. It is also designed to be taken apart, with replacement parts sold individually and instructions printed clearly on the underside, for anyone with a screwdriver and some nerve.

Worth the money?

Yes, you can buy something similar for a third of the price, and for a year or two it will do the job. But price per use is a more honest measure than the number on the tag. The one you will keep for decades is usually the cheaper purchase.

It is not perfect. The colour range is a little joyless, and delivery can run to eight weeks during busy periods because everything is made in a small workshop. If you are able to wait, we would suggest that you do so, and in the meantime clear a good spot for it.

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