Most people want to live in an attractive and comfortable home, which is probably why magazines and television programs about interior decoration are so popular. It is now very easy to find a huge range of tips and advice on how to decorate a home, such as how to make a room look bigger, brighter, more fashionable, and welcoming. However, there is one drawback to following fashion and design instructions to the letter – it is very easy to create a home that is technically perfect but lacking in personality.
Fortunately, there are as many ways to stamp personality into a room, as there are ways to decorate it. One often-overlooked way of doing this is with ceramics.
When a room is decorated to fashionable perfection and filled with really lovely furniture, perhaps it is time to start another search, this time for striking artisan ceramics that will add a splash of personality to the home without compromising its design values.
Ceramics come in an almost limitless array of styles, sizes, and prices, so there is certain to be a ceramic piece to suit any interior. It is possible to buy factory-made ceramics in many shops, but it is hand-made and artisan ceramics that really make the difference. When purchasing such an item, an individual is not merely buying a functional item, but also a work of art. Many hand-made ceramics are made either on a ‘once only’ or limited-edition basis, so there is very little chance of neighbors having the same item, and some hand-made ceramics may increase in value over time.
A huge range of ceramics is available today, and in a number of creative designs. Ceramic clocks, framed ceramic ‘pictures,’ vases, pots, plaques, wind chimes, and even ceramic garlands are great ways of dressing up a room and giving it some character. Of course there are also the traditional bowls and plates, which can be varied in texture and colour to add variety to a room.
Since many ceramics are quite small, they are great for adding a shot of bright colour or unusual texture to a space. This is where hand-made items, as opposed to factory-made, really come into their own. Factory-made items are almost all ‘perfect,’ in that they all look the same. Hand-made ceramics, on the other hand, are almost designed to be ‘imperfect,’ each item appearing slightly different and possessing its own character as a result. Even better, the range of textural and colour effects that ceramic artists can achieve is astonishing and very useful to anybody decorating a home. For example, a rustic ceramic bowl finished in vivid orange and red will add a welcome burst of colour to a room, whereas a rug or curtains in a similar shade might be far too overpowering. Ceramics are also easy to move around, which adds a little more versatility. Different styles can also be combined to great effect – a mix of vintage and new kitchen ceramics can look stunning.
If a room is looking just a little bit too formulaic, there is one clear answer – start looking out for ceramics!
