Yes it is fine to use uncomposted organic matter on the surface, as long as it is not too dense and fibrous as with straw (because of slugs and keeping soil cool, damp), so coffee grounds are good, being granular and dark, soil warming underneath, and on the surface they are not in contact with enough soil to cause ‘nitrogen robbery’.
And I agree the tools are wonderfully attractive, a friend just hung his copper spade on the kitchen wall!