It used to be shoes but now my shopping weakness is vases. Has Covid-era claustrophobia just morphed into a kind extreme nesting where only ceramics can comfort me? Am I now—gasp—old? Or do I just simply have enough shoes and need to move onto something with almost no limit on what’s an appropriate amount to own? It may well be a combination of the three, in addition to the fact that my footwear requirements have really been filtered down to comfy, comfier and comfiest: Flat boots, trainers and slippers are all in constant rotation. But either way, the vase obsession is real; I’m constantly repinning all sorts of pieces and I really don’t discriminate. Vintage, sculptural, minimalist, kitsch, and artsy styles are all littering my (private, sorry) Future Home board on Pinterest. In tandem I have therefore collated a vase shopping list long enough to warrant opening a dedicated ceramics museum should I ever buy them all—the ticket sales would come in handy for further additions to the collection.
But I am not the only one. In the past year we’ve seen certain ceramic creations reach cult status, much like a pair of shoes, a bag or piece of jewellery might have done in the past. There are high-end versions like Anissa Kermiche’s instantly recognisable waist-and-bum Love Handles vase (an absolute phenomenon on IG and spawning many inferior copycats) though to lower-priced winners such as the supersized glass cylinder on a wooden mid Century-style stand that our columnist Monikh was repeatedly asked about during the summer. There are new independent brands and ceramicists finding themselves out of stock all too quickly and high street stores—like H&M‚ Arket and Zara—stocking more options then ever.
According to Google Trends, online searches for vases have been on a steady incline since the summer, with specific terms including “pampas grass in a vase” (something I’ve definitely looked into, and you can buy pampas on Etsy!), “rainbow vase” and—perhaps unsurprisingly—”Anissa Kermiche vase” taking up the top three related queries. From jumbo urns to retro shells, decorative and painterly to super-minimal one-stem holders, keep scrolling for my vase edit.
Klevering is Danish company whose affordable pieces are filling up my IG feed right now.
The one, the only.
The perfect receptable for a big bunch of craspedia (the yellow pom pom flowers).
This is such a statement I don’t think you even need flowers in it.
How expensive does this look?
I have nothing more to say than these are perfection.
It’s almost impossible to get hold of Mari’s super-cool pots as they’re made in small batches by hand and sell out immediately. But I did manage to get one after repeatedly looking and checking online!
I always think jugs look really sweet and homely with dried flowers in.
My fellow interiors fiend, Emma Spedding, introduced me to this brand via her recent homeware edits.
She’s a beaut.
If you’re looking for something floral and handpainted check out antique names like Myott or Arthur Wood—Art Deco styles are my current interest.
Like so many of my favourites, these beautiful creations sell out very quickly.
This style comes in all different pastel shapes and varied sizes—they look particularly impactful when placed together, should you budget permit.
Zara Home has started teaming up with ceramcists whose wares are normally a lot more expensive. This one is so fun.
For one lovely stem at a time. Maybe start with a fluffy strand of astilbe?
A glorious piece of art!
Now this is screaming out for a festive floral arrangement.
A wonderful splash of colour in a plainly decorated home or a great addition to blend in somewhere jazzy.
Perfect for the 1970s-style living room I hope to create one day…
For the people who like their cabinets and mantelpieces to look like they’re out of a Scandi interiors shoot. Next up, the affordable Christmas gifts that still look thoughtful.
