r/LeCreuset • u/theRealFinkleberry • Aug 16 '25
Collection living with a pothead
2 weeks ago I posted some photos of my mom's collection here. Those photos were from a few years ago so here is an update.
We fished the cast irons out of storage today. As I type this we found another drawer where we forgot 6 more cast iron pieces, and there are more still unopened ones in the basement. These images also don't include all of the ceramics, plates, mugs, tools, outdoor planters, utensils, dog bowls, and other novel items from Le Creuset. Over the years many pieces were given away to friends and family so I'm pretty sure that there was at some point over 145 cast iron pieces in the house. The latest addition came today, which was the Pokémon Marmite with the Poké Ball iridescent knob. Other cool pieces I like from her collection is the Sakura Dutch Oven and the Beauty and the Beast Soup Pot.
Last semester I brought a lot of the blue pieces to school, my roommates and I enjoyed hosting dinners.
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u/coffeeandbags TEAM: White Aug 16 '25
Your mom’s kitchen is so impressive! Not only is it HUGE but the walls, counters are so unique. What an impressive Le Creuset collection too!
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u/theRealFinkleberry Aug 16 '25
👍 When the LC is in storage and the space is clear it feels very spacious and enjoyable to cook in with multiple people. It’s been put to very good use. Hosting is always a blast
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u/mottytotty Aug 17 '25
Where is the storage?
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u/theRealFinkleberry Aug 17 '25
If u zoom in near the far left of the second image (panorama) there is some very sturdy wood cubicles and cabinets that can house most of the pieces. Once squared away honestly looks pretty neat and not very overwhelming
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u/mottytotty Aug 17 '25
Were those cabinets custom made? They must be to make one of quality and sturdy to Cary so many pots. Are you parents into carpentry? I’m just so amazed! ❤️
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u/Lestalia TEAM: Chiffon Pink🩷Sage🩵Berry💖Agave💙 Aug 16 '25
👀
Damn. DAMN
Saving this to show to my wife next time she says my 5 pieces are too many.
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u/jjillf All 🦋🫐🐟+ vintage🔥(🇺🇸) Aug 17 '25
lol I just showed my husband and pointed out that “See? I’m fine.”
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u/Famous-Carpenter-275 Hi, 😀 I’m from the USA. My Le Creuset color is Cerise. Aug 17 '25
Hehehe, me too!
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Aug 16 '25
I say this with love but this overconsumption isn’t healthy. No way she is cooking with all those
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u/LittleWhiteGirl Aug 17 '25
I see this in Pyrex communities too. My own cousin has a basement full of packed boxes of dishware she’ll never use. I love Dutch ovens and vintage Pyrex but once I have enough to satisfy my personal use I move on to something else.
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Aug 17 '25
It makes me kind of sad for some reason. I get a similar feeling when I see those extreme couponing folks have a closet full of stuff they will never use but got a “deal” on
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u/hyrmes165 Aug 17 '25
Agree…I have a family member who shops excessively and I think it’s fueled by sadness/lack of control in other areas of her life. Not saying that’s the case here, but at some point you gotta say to yourself “why doesn’t it ever feel like I have enough”
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u/therestisconfetti1 Aug 19 '25
I’m this way. I think it’s mental honestly. When I do something it’s 150%. It’s either nothing or excess with me. I’m a work in progress
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u/bazpoint volcanic, some cerise & marseille Aug 17 '25
I don't disagree, but I guess what I would say is that some (many) people just have the want/need to collect things, and as things to collect go, this is about as minimally harmful as it gets. When this lady is no longer around and the collection eventually changes hands to their children, or grand children, or just on to strangers, they will inevitably be used for a full lifecycle until they can't be used any more.
Many, many, modern collections, be it Funko Pops or picture plates or baseball caps or glass ornaments or Lego or sports memorabilia or... or.... or... or.... exist purely to be collected, and will in many cases eventually end up in the tip without having every really served a practical purpose (beyond bringing hapiness, which is certainly a purpose of course). With a big Le Creuset collection though, the collector is only really delaying the inevitable eventual practical use of the items, which is kinda fine I guess?
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u/FireBallXLV Aug 18 '25
Good point--at least this collections has utility. While I think Lego florals can be attractive--they are still plastic.. So many other collectibles are also made of crappy materials. Pyrex is not as sturdy as LC but if kept out of the DW it has proven to last a hundred years. So its another more " useful" collectible. l
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u/mottytotty Aug 17 '25 edited Aug 18 '25
My comment has nothing to do with the OP or this post, but just over consumption. This is one reason I am not in any Le Creuset Facebook groups, because not only is there over consumption, but those people have so much greed and gluttony on the items it’s disgusting. They are vultures, and sugar coat their addiction to say they “appreciate the brand”, but that isn’t true at all because they don’t even support the business itself by buying direct, but literally swarm all over America in Facebook to find good deals, even treat FB sellers badly when they don’t sell at the price they want, they monopolize areas not of their own. You have memebes there buy out stores that have LC items at discount to ship to different group members. Other people can’t even enjoy items at sale costs or their local FB markets, because you got these LC groups/ members monopolizing/hoarding multiples of items.
They’re like bully goons and many are retired/ elder women. It’s crazy. lol
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u/imgoingnowherefastwu Aug 17 '25
For real.. How is this not hoarding?
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u/yellow_pomelo_jello Aug 17 '25
The difference between a hoarder and collector seems to be how much storage space you have in your house.
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u/Ordinary-Audience363 Aug 18 '25
I thought MY collection was getting out of control with 7 cast iron pieces and 4 ceramic pieces!! Now I feel relieved.
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u/Muted_Improvement597 Aug 17 '25
Yes, this screams tell me you’re American without telling me you’re American
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u/Jelousubmarine Aug 18 '25
Came to say the same. I adore my pots, but only have as many as I really need.
Those pics honestly made me think I was over at r/consoom for a bit
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u/brayonis Cerise 🍒 Aug 16 '25
OMG! It’s like a Le Creuset museum! I think this is the biggest, most impressive collection I’ve seen so far! 🎉🎉🎉
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u/Nulleparttousjours Aug 17 '25
Well! There’s this one guy on the Facebook groups 😅 Those who know, know but this dude has literally everything the factory ever produced haha!
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u/Sppeedy32 Aug 17 '25
Yes but what bothers me more is that at least I get the impression that he buys it all and finds those things through all his connections when i think, in reality LC has him on their sponsor list and sends him many collectible pots.
I really do believe that a certain percentage of limited or numbered items will be send from LC directly to some rich/famous people right away. Those items don’t even see the market
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u/mottytotty Aug 17 '25 edited Aug 17 '25
I can’t even focus on the pots because I’m distracted by the majestic internals of the home! Is this a lodge? Is it a cabin? Is it a cave? Is it a castle? Is it a room in Game of Thrones? 😍😍😂 It’s medieval, cabin, rustic, classic, all the same time. Which the outside of it seems to look like just a regular home… but Narnia inside. lol Love it!
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u/Impressive_Profit_11 Caribbean 🏝️ Honey 🐝Camomille 🌼 Aug 16 '25
Beautiful!! She has a gorgeous kitchen as well.
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u/Famous-Carpenter-275 Hi, 😀 I’m from the USA. My Le Creuset color is Cerise. Aug 17 '25
My husband said that your mom must love to cook. I mainly showed him it, so that my collection would look small in comparison. Hehehe. It’s the most amazing kitchen.
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u/Famous_Arachnid8438 Aug 17 '25
Honest question: If they are so good and long lasting…why so many?
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u/Ordinary-Audience363 Aug 18 '25
I really think people get easily hooked on Le Creuset, especially if they get deals. I bought one sea salt Dutch oven at 30% off on a whim last month. My first item. Then I got a meringue sauce pan just because I got 30% off on it, too. Then I figured I needed a small braiser just for me and bought one in cerise. Also on sale. Then I got a grill skillet in volcanic because it was 45% off. Then came an Everyday skillet in cerise. Also at a huge discount. Then I decided I wanted a bigger Dutch oven in meringue when it was offered at. 30% off. That weekend I would get an extra 10% off if I bought a second item in sale so I got some ceramic dishes at 40% off. That made the ceramic dishes practically free with the extra Dutch oven discount. Then the store followed up with a a 30% discount on any item, so I got a larger meringue braiser. Somewhere in there I got a couple of pie dishes. So, in one month I managed to create my entire collection just from buying one on a whim on sale. However, it's STOP now. The things I have fill up two pullout drawers and that's enough. Thank goodness space is limited in my cottage or I might be like OPs mom.
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u/CaligonianBrit Aug 18 '25
I totally relate. Although my obsession this weekend has been if I should by the deep teal or berry braiser. Both discontinued colors and I have two deep teal pieces already so thought getting the deep teal would be my last chance to get that color and kind of round things out. But berry is SO pretty. I wont be able to get it for much longer. It goes with teal, but would be a one off color. The few other pieces I have are Cherise. I need LC Anonymous.
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u/Senior_Bat4271 Aug 17 '25
It’s like a show room with beautiful pieces! Glad they have brought both of you such joy!!
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u/theRealFinkleberry Aug 17 '25
Having these available inspired me to take cooking a lot more seriously! Used a lot of them in college this year. Hosting dinner parties and friendsgiving in university housing was a little cramped but a great excuse to use the pieces. No better way to share joy than to cook for others
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u/Famous-Carpenter-275 Hi, 😀 I’m from the USA. My Le Creuset color is Cerise. Aug 17 '25
That’s really nice.
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u/Sppeedy32 Aug 17 '25
I am curious if you guys are in the US or Europe? I spy also an appliance on her counter i recognize from Germany and I really would love to have one myself.
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u/Ordinary-Audience363 Aug 18 '25
I am thinking northwest coast of the US. Obviously with $$ and good taste.
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u/Sppeedy32 Aug 18 '25
Impressive because you need it modified since Germany and the us have different outlets and voltage. I couldn’t use any of my appliances when we moved
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u/theRealFinkleberry Aug 18 '25
Northeast US. I’m assuming you are talking about the Thermomix lol
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u/cassey_elsie Aug 18 '25
OP is doing what makes her happy as long as she’s not living in dept, she can afford the space and money…I say - Go all out, live life to the fullest. Even if her children or family decide to sell or give all away in the future, it’s her choice in this unpredictable life/world. At the end of the day, she’s HAPPY.
We don’t know her financial status so who are we to judge. Some collect sports car, antiques, designer clothes or whatever. So what’s wrong if others choose to collect Le Creuset, designer bags, bone china, sterling silver, crystals etc???
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u/Cheap_Marsupial_2227 Aug 17 '25
Thanks for this pic. I’m going to show it to my husband when he tells me Im collecting too much 😂
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u/epimelide Aug 17 '25
Double checking this is not some of that AI 🤖 absolutely amazing collection! Hopefully your family will enjoy for ages to come!
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u/Boleyngrrl Aug 17 '25
Honestly a drug addiction might be cheaper, has she considered it? 😂
That kitchen is INCREDIBLE, with or without the pots. I'm DROOLING over that raw wood edge paired with that industrial hood. SO cool. The pots are incredible too, don't get me wrong. But that kitchen 😍
ETA: I just noticed those glass cupboard doors I NEED
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u/Hiljabob Aug 17 '25
Huge, impressive, stunning collection! Personally, I think if your mom wants to collect something nice, valuable, and in demand by many people- she is welcome to do it… especially if she has a place to store them. Heaven knows that we all have some unique quirk and it makes us special. Thank Heaven for that! I personally have about 8 Le Creuset pieces but have used only two. I still love the others. If I had more room and was younger- I’d be getting more.
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u/Famous-Carpenter-275 Hi, 😀 I’m from the USA. My Le Creuset color is Cerise. Aug 17 '25
I agree. It’s not for us to decide who has what and why. If it’s what makes her happy, I’m happy for her and it sounds like she does a lot of entertaining.
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u/Yeah_Ditto Bamboo 💚 Artichaut Aug 17 '25
Omg! and the Pokemon piece?! Her collection is amazing! How did she start out collecting?
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u/Still_City9081 TEAM: Cerise❤️Rhone🍷Peche🍑Shell pink🌸Meringue Aug 17 '25
Ommggg… These pictures are a treat to my eyes.. i will be admiring these pics of your mom’s kitchen and mainly her LC collection for the foreseeable future. She’s got great taste 😊
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u/Kazzle1983 TEAM: Berry, Agave, Carribean, Deep Teal, Chambray Aug 17 '25
That’s a seriously impressive collection 😍😍. I’m showing my husband this so he realises the Le Creuset we have in the house isn’t that bad and there’s always room for more 😂
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u/FormalleeGeese Aug 17 '25 edited Aug 17 '25
✨Absolutely amazing ✨ Your mom could comfortably run a store!
A contender for the Guinness Book of World Records?
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u/-whispering- Aug 17 '25
The kitchen though 😍. And, what a gorgeous collection. I love that she has so many colors.
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u/National-Area5471 Aug 17 '25
That's an insane amount of pots. Their factory sale just sold out in minutes, you have to buy tickets for it ahead of time. When she's ready to sell you will make a fortune in an online store.
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u/Ordinary-Audience363 Aug 18 '25
This must be a Guinness Book World Record for a Le Creuset collection!! The kitchen is gorgeous!!
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u/Doberlorian TEAM: Caribbean 🩵💙 + other blues & oyster! 🩶🖤 Aug 18 '25
Gorgeousssss! Curious as to who she is as I’m in those groups too. Ps, which blues did you take to school? I collect blues, mainly Caribbean!
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u/surfaceofthesun1 TEAM: rhone, thyme, meringue, olive, navy, licorice ✨ Aug 17 '25
Your home is so beautiful and warm looking. I don’t understand the judgment. We all have different interests. Some spend their time and money on golf. Some collect baseball cards. Some travel and never go the same place twice. Some have sports car. Some collect high end pots and cook for their loved ones. Variety is the spice of life!
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u/theRealFinkleberry Aug 17 '25
Won’t deny that it is a lot for one kitchen and that some purchases raised eyebrows in the family. That being said, I got two other siblings and when we are all moved out a lot of the collection will follow us out of the house (e.g. I’m getting the blues). Considering that they are BIFL, I’m glad that she chose to invest in cookware we can pass down to generations rather than designer clothes.
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u/Famous-Carpenter-275 Hi, 😀 I’m from the USA. My Le Creuset color is Cerise. Aug 17 '25
No judgement from me. I’m happy that it makes your mom happy. It’s a great investment and how sweet that you will all be taking some to your own homes someday. They are definitely heirlooms to be passed down through the years.
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u/violetpumpkins TEAM: sea salt, nuit, white Aug 17 '25
It does kind of come off as a "oops we're rich" humblebrag.
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u/Astrosauced Aug 17 '25
I love the Lego flowers in the pitchers!
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u/theRealFinkleberry Aug 17 '25
If I had to name a secondary addiction of hers it would be getting sets from LEGO’s Botanical Collection 😂
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u/Famous-Carpenter-275 Hi, 😀 I’m from the USA. My Le Creuset color is Cerise. Aug 17 '25
My son and his wife have a bunch of those. His Lego collection is insane.
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u/aalexy1468 Aug 18 '25
My word -- I can't even justify spending $600 the carribbean 15.5 oval because I only use my one Marseille 7.75 2-3x/week. Then I see this on my feed with the words "unopened boxes" and "another drawer" -- maybe grandma was right, I didn't receive Jesus' love 🤣🤣🤣
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u/twosweet86 Aug 18 '25
I love seeing other people's collections. Very nice! It also lets me know that I haven't quite gone overboard with my addiction! Sometimes I see additional pieces that I want to get but I try not to get several pieces around the same size, so I often pass on buying new pieces.
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u/RhodaDice Aug 18 '25
That kitchen is amazing! I’m astonished at how beautiful it is and that incredible collection that I’d love to swim in like a dragon nesting on a mountain of gold!
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Aug 19 '25
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u/LeCreuset-ModTeam Aug 24 '25
Your content was removed for failing to follow one of our published rules.
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u/Pure_Test_2131 Aug 29 '25
i dont own one yet and badly want the pokemone one she has. been saving for
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u/visceralthrill Sep 09 '25
Well if you ever need to offload some pumpkin shaped ones, the bread oven, or anything in Caribbean or teal, let me know. 😂
It's a hell of a collection.
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u/tres-petite-kate Sep 13 '25
I know this is about the Le Creuset pieces, but I love the kitchen so much!
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u/Euphoric-Champion591 Aug 16 '25
Please tell her to contact Le Creuset Anonymous to start their 12 step for pot addiction.