There are many ways that you can add a floral theme to your living room. Soft furnishings are probably the most common vehicle, although floral wallpaper and more subtle stenciled borders are another option. But these are relatively permanent choices that will require time, effort, and/or money to change at a later time if you grow tired of the look.
Instead, why not use art pottery to create a floral theme in your living room?
There are so many amazing pieces to choose from, so you can constantly change display items for interest and variety.
Another deciding factor is that art pottery featuring floral designs is available in a wide range of styles, designs, and price points. Some art pottery features realistic floral images, while other image types are abstract. You can opt for one design approach or mix several together for added interest.
Of course, if you collect pottery vases, planters, bowls, ewers, wall pockets, or even jugs, and these are suitable for fresh flower arrangements, they will add another element to your floral theme. Many fresh flowers will also add fragrance to the room.
Established Styles that Already Feature Floral Images
It shouldn’t surprise you to discover that many of the established styles of the 19th and 20th centuries feature elements that are inspired by nature.
If you explore the styles of art pottery, you will find an exceptionally good choice that will match a broad-based floral theme. Here are some pointers.
Arts & Crafts Style
The English Arts and Crafts Movement (about 1850-1900) is said to have been inspired by textile designer William Morris (1834-1896). He abhorred mass production and promoted good, honest design. Even though his style was formal and usually incorporated repetitive patterns, nature and floral designs featured in his work. But this really was just the beginning.
As the movement developed, many artists and designers incorporated decorative motifs that were inspired by nature, including plants, trees, and flowers.
Of course, the Arts and Crafts style wasn’t limited to ceramics and pottery. But the pottery niche is important. This is because it represented a general reaction and response to heavily ornamental wares that were being made in large European factories at the time.
Having started in England, the Arts and Crafts Movement spread to the U.S. in the 1890s, and lasted until about the 1920s. Its influence was initially strongest in New York and Boston, but it spread to the industrial heartland of Chicago and across the Midwest to and ultimately to California. There were Arts and Crafts societies in Boston, Chicago, and Minneapolis, and many companies countrywide produced relatively small quantities of what we now call art pottery.
Examples include arts and crafts style pottery produced by recognizable names such as Grueby, Wheatley, Marblehead, Hampshire, Teco, George Ohr, Newcomb, Roseville, Rookwood, Van Briggle, and Weller.
Rookwood Pottery, founded in 1880, was one of the first companies to start making American art pottery. Roseville started a decade later in direct competition with Rookwood, Weller, and Owen’s Pottery, which was also in Ohio.
Newcomb Pottery, formed in New Orleans in 1894, was part of H.Sophie Newcomb Memorial College for women. Intriguingly, their designers drew on Southern flora and fauna for inspiration.
Although not all Arts and Crafts art pottery incorporates floral designs, the floral decoration was an increasingly important design element. If you explore the Arts and Crafts art pottery we have on offer, you’ll find some great Roseville, Rookwood, Weller, Newcomb, and more that you can use to create a floral theme in your living room.
Art Nouveau Style
The Art Nouveau Style had its roots in Arts and Crafts, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to find that some of the Arts and Crafts potteries started making more eclectic Art Nouveau pottery. These include Van Briggle, Rookwood, Weller, and Roseville Pottery, to name a few.
Another noted Art Nouveau pottery factory was Riessner, Stellmacher & Keller (RSK) Amphora, which was located in Trnovany in the Czech Republic. They began producing art pottery during the late 19th century in various styles, including Art Nouveau.
A very short-lived design movement that lasted from about 1890-1905, Art Nouveau, like the Arts and Crafts Movement, placed significant emphasis on nature. Typical designs were exemplified by sinuous shapes that mirrored the organic curves of nature, languid female figures, and lots of plants and flowers. Even utilitarian craft pieces emerged as collectible works of fine art.
Many Art Nouveau pottery factories were renowned for emphasizing surface decoration, which was often floral, over largely experimental glazes.
Other Art Pottery Styles With a Floral Theme
We’ve focused on pottery made in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau styles, but floral patterns are certainly not limited to these. Take Roseville pottery, for example. Many of their well-known patterns have floral themes, like Cherry Blossom, Dahlrose, Foxglove, Morning Glory, and Wisteria.
Not all of these follow specific styles. Many were created during the war years, from 1939 to 1945, including Cosmos, Columbine, and Fuchsia. Roseville’s Freesia, Magnolia, Water Lily, White Rose, and Zephyr Lily patterns are all lovely examples of Mid-Century Modern style pieces.
Some of the contemporary art pottery we sell also has floral themes.
Ultimately, a floral theme doesn’t have to fit any of the traditional interior design styles. Just as you don’t have to follow architectural or interior design styles when you build or decorate a home.
The idea of following a floral theme is simply a way to introduce color and pattern into your home. After all, the fact that you are inspired by flowers doesn’t mean you have to use floral fabrics, upholstery, or wallpaper (although you can). It doesn’t even demand that you fill your home with fresh flowers, though pretty, sweet-smelling blooms are always welcome in many, if not most, of our homes.
Accessories, including art pottery, work well in most living spaces. Collections of bowls, candle holders, flower pots, jugs, or vases are ideal decorative items for living rooms that don’t embrace a minimalist style. When you follow a floral theme, you can mix art pottery types and display items randomly or in groups that relate to color or shape.
All it takes to create a successful floral theme in your living room using art pottery is inspiration, imagination, and a few special pieces of pottery. We’d love to help you find your next favorite piece.
