Pottery
For an eclectic look, try using a variety of pottery in an arresting display of shapes and colors against a monochromatic paint color — light or dark — to add a twist to your space. Balance the feel of the collection by ensuring the scale of the surrounding furnishings, lighting and art are larger than the pottery. To stop your display from veering into hoarder territory, keep it constrained to just one shelf or flat surface.
For a spin on contemporary style, warm up an otherwise empty space with a well-thought-out collection displayed in a nontraditional way. The blue patterned wall covering in this kitchen creates a bold backdrop for the blue and white porcelain pieces. The otherwise unused space above the cabinets is the perfect spot for a little drama that personalizes the kitchen.
Arrange artfully. Give smaller pottery pieces an anchor by including them in groupings with larger pieces. Mixing shapes, colors and height may seem chaotic, but by keeping your groupings tight and placed purposefully toward one side of a surface — tabletop, credenza, bookcase — you create an installation that feels curated over time rather than purchased all at once just to fill the space.
Group by color. Having a clean and modern aesthetic doesn’t mean you can’t mix pottery into your design. Grouping pieces of pottery together by color in a central location keeps them feeling less like clutter and more like an intentional collection. Putting them against a crisp white background will ensure they stand out, elevating the grouping to an art piece that can be moved and changed at will.
Pottery has played an artistic as well as utilitarian role throughout history. It’s been handed down through generations, collected by connoisseurs and bought and sold for astonishingly high sums. “Pottery and ceramics have been an important part of human culture for thousands of years,” says Beth Peterson, a pottery expert and artist. “From prehistoric storage jars to tiles on the space shuttles, pottery and ceramics have played a key role in innumerable human endeavors.”
Midcentury modern aficionados are drawn to the simple woods, soft lines, uncomplicated textiles and low-profile furnishings often associated with Scandinavian design. Pottery is also a huge part of the decor. Bright colors, interesting shapes and an almost endless array of styles allow for easy pickings when it comes to finding the perfect piece for this tidy aesthetic.
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