Monday, August 31, 2020

Can You Have Too Much Blue and White Porcelain?

Mark D. Sikes

My HomeGoods seems to be getting in more and more blue and white Chinese porcelain. Every time I see a nice piece I think to myself, can I really use another? And it makes me so happy to see rooms like this one and think, "Sure!" Luckily, it seems that all blue and white Chinese porcelain works well together. I think the only exception is perhaps those with background colors that are more celadon or gray that seem off combined with very white backgrounds. At any rate, this is a lovely space with blue and white, rattan, wicker, orchids, stripes, and Greek key - all favorites of mine. And a dozen pieces of blue and white Chinese porcelain.

I put in a bed of Foxtail Ferns yesterday. What a difference planting in this loamy sand as opposed to heavy clay in NOVA. The planting holes here dig themselves.

Foxtail Fern - Asparagus Meyeri

I was also looking at succulents for my topiary alligator. Luckily, succulents are very prevalent down here and very inexpensive as well. I especially like the way this topiary was done. I told you there is a limit on decorative objects in your garden here. This will drive them nuts - is this plant material or a decorative object? I would argue it's a plant.





21 comments:

  1. Blue and white porcelain jars are always beautiful! Coincidently, Mark Sikes' latest book, More Beautiful comes out tomorrow. Can't wait to see it.

    I was also so thrilled to be able to dig easily and place my plants here in Florida. What would have taken hours in NoVa is completed in half the time here with the sandy soil.

    The Foxtail Asparagus ferns are beauties.

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    1. I'm sure the new book is wonderful. Gardening here is a lot easier in many ways.

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  2. If you ever needed encouragement to keep collecting blue and white, then that C. Roehm Quintessence video says keep going, and show it going up the walls on wall sconces!

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    1. I love that look too. My favorite bathroom photo there is blue and white porcelain hung on the walls.

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  3. Reading your blog makes me smile, our tastes are so similar! I have an agave in a large urn in front of my main windows, front and back, I have the soft pink Brugmansia suaveolins (Angel trumpet), that I have trained into a large topiary tree as the flowers show better that way instead of a bush form. Our home is a very soft blue with white trim so I have used cobalt blue ceramic pots for my plantings. In answer to your question today NO! There is never enough blue and white! 💙
    Michelle

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    1. Your garden sounds lovely. I plan to train the Brugmansia as standards.

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    2. Thank you Beth, we love it here!😎💖🌴
      Michelle

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  4. You are inspiring me to upgrade my landscaping. The succulent alligator is amazing and sure to be the focal point of the garden... and the talk of community.

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    1. Thanks. I am thinking he may go in the back since it is preserves and wetlands with alligators.

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  5. IN.LOVE.with that succulents alligator!
    I'd argue it's a plant albeit trained on a form much like topiary and trellises. What if you had a boxwood clipped like a hippo? Same thing.

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    1. Good argument. Don't want the Compliance police after me. LOL

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  6. Never too much blue and white porcelain unless you home begins to resemble a Home Goods store. That would be a tip off to pull back a little.

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    1. I agree with Delta. The only exception would be if you went to vintage blue and white.

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    2. You both need to read my post today. LOL

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  7. It must be this dratted pandemic, but I’ve been struggling lately with “stuff.” Feeling crowded and cluttered and cramped. Trying to balance the tension between function and decoration. Longing for large expanses of....nothing! I’ll bring out my blue and white pieces as the season cools and I start to yearn for the coziness of the holidays. Love b&w bowls full of antique ornaments and holly. Or just groaning with clementines studded with clover. Best wishes.

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    1. OMG I couldn't live without my blue and white 24/7. LOL

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  8. Second Delta's comment. I actually knew a woman whose house looked like a branch of Home Goods; she couldn't stop buying blue and white. The alligator is both decorative and plant; I'd take either side of that argument.

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  9. Love, love, love blue and white! Never, ever enough! It has been a lifelong affair. Nan

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  10. I LOVE blue and white! It's a classic combo and so beautiful!

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