Be Bold with Today’s Beautiful Cobalt Blue and White Ceramics

If you think cobalt blue patterned and white ceramics have been around for ever – then you’d be right.

Well, back to 14^th Century China at least and which, let’s face it, is pretty much ‘forever’ as far as we’re concerned.

But it’s not just Chinese history with its stylised dragons and florals that’s attached to this lovely colourful duo. No, as the centuries passed, the Japanese, Persian and Turkish all managed to get their hands on this fantastic porcelain and ceramic printing method too. They added their own linear geometric motifs as well as stylised fruit and floral patterns as they went along.

Then the West got a hold of the idea, particularly the Italians, Dutch (Delft pottery, anyone?), English, Spanish and French. In Amsterdam the designs featured windmills, seascapes, tulips, and nautical iconography. The Spaniards favoured birds and pomegranates and the French, designs from chinoiserie and textiles, especially Indian chintz.

Finally, the process crossed the Atlantic to the States and Mexico. The former produced Spongewear (dotting the ceramics with a sponge or rag) and the latter, Aztec design.

The result is a massive selection of fascinating patterned ceramics and porcelain out there for us to adorn our homes and gardens with today. It’s even possible to find some original pieces, hand-painted and glazed hundreds of years ago – the reason being that blue cobalt pigment is able to withstand incredibly high firing temperatures.

Decorating with 21^st Century Blue and White Ceramics

Ceramic vases, bowls, ginger jars, dinner sets, umbrella stands, tapas plates, door handles, planters, lamp bases – they’re all available today and look particularly good with certain design styles. The blue and white goes well with a Hampton’s colour scheme, it also fits in nicely with Shabby Chic and Scandi and, of course, there’s the whole ‘antiques’ look too.

Ginger jars and vases are impressive on their own as a stand-out piece when they can be filled with tall reef-like stems and grasses or colourful floral bunches. But they also look fab grouped together.

And who says those lovely vases and ginger jars can only be enjoyed indoors? Admittedly, if you live somewhere it rains a lot (hello UK), you may not be keen on leaving them outdoors. But, if you’re fortunate enough to live in sunny foreign climes such as the South of France or Spain, then use them to enhance that lovely rustic look you’ve already got going:

And as for that beautiful blue and white dining set you have tucked away in a box; a better idea is to dust it down and display it in an open cabinet for all and sundry. See how pretty this looks:

Instead of using the stylised cobalt blue and white patterned vases as accent pieces you could always use them as part of your dominant colour scheme. Upholstery fabric looks amazing in this design:

How are you displaying blue and white ceramics in your own home? Do share your images with us on Instagram. We’d love to hear and see your ideas here at Caroline Jane.