We've only had this tea kettle for a couple of days, but like it a great deal. It is solidly constructed--surprisingly heavy for its size. The design is quite striking with a dramatic shape and nice contrast between the blue ceramic and polished steel.I don't think design compromises function here. Yes, the fixed handle gets in the way of removing the lid and filling the kettle, but that's the same with the $350 British copper kettle we're replacing (after decades of service that kettle has begun to shed its lining). The solid steel handle on the Caraway gets warm, but is not uncomfortably hot after bringing 3 cups of water to a boil. (If boiling more water, it might get hot, so be careful.) The lid fits very tightly and can be hard to remove, which is the only real drawback we've discovered. I suspect that the lid will loosen a bit with use.I agree that one can pay much less for a tea kettle. But this one looks SO nice on our stove top and will probably last as long or longer than our beloved British pot.)ADDED AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS OF USE: We still like this teapot a great deal. The lid has loosened up a bit, making it easier to remove. There is a small amount of discoloration around the base from the gas burner, but not noticeable when looking down at the pot. We now only use the smallest burner on our stove. The handle is warm but not hot after heating three cups of water to a full boil. By all appearances, this pot will continue to work well and look great over the long term.