Classic blue and white accessories are right at home

Blue and white vases are classic accessories that exude a certain panache in any decor. While many countries claim this timeless combination of color for china, pottery and ceramics, it is the Chinese that truly are the originators of this style.

In as early as 9th and 10th century China, cobalt blue pigment was mixed into the white clay to produce a pale bluish green pottery. It is not until the 14th century and the development of porcelain that the first blue and white dishes were produced. The thin and translucent quality of these items showed off the crisp designs and decorations on them. Inspiration for their decorations came from Islam where a great number of these items were traded.

With trade and exports to Europe, Chinese porcelains incorporated European scenes and images alongside Chinese ones. Scenes of dragons, cranes and geometric fretwork coexisted with bucolic scenes of European countryside.

As with fashion and art, what was seen as innovative was emulated in Italy with faience ceramics, in England with transfer ware and the Netherlands with Delftware, and in Germany with Blue Onion patterns by Meissen. All of these blue and white renditions owe their origins to China.

Collectors and decorators love the shape of the porcelain as well. The most iconic, of course, is the ginger jar, but other shapes such as pagoda tulip vases, temple jars, spice jars, bell jars and covered rice bowls are also well regarded.

Because of their global history, blue and white vases and other accessories have become classic decorations that fit into almost any type of decor. Regardless of the style of embellishment and ornamentation, designers use them often because they are timeless accessories that lend a cosmopolitan flair. When paired with traditional interiors, blue and white accessories are right at home, and make the interiors feel rich and layered. In contemporary interiors, blue and white accessories act as a punch of color.

Decorating with blue and white accessories can be quite easy. As a single item, they can be placed in the center of a table or a few pieces as a group. These needn't be all the same height or style, but can be of varying heights, shapes, themes and even in intensity of color. Because of the hand-painted finish and nature of these items, the shades and depth of blue can vary from piece to piece.

Blue and white accessories are also quite effective in shelves and bookcases, on their own or as bookends. When placed throughout a piece of furniture or library, they can help lighten a room as their glazed finish help refract light.

Another sophisticated and traditionally European way to display your blue and white accessories, dishes, vases, jars or urns is to organize them into a pattern on small pedestals or brackets onto a wall. A great way to give this traditional idea a contemporary spin is to place your items on to a clear Lucite pedestal or bracket.

• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.

© 2016, Creators Syndicate