The Blue & White Chinese Vase

CCC

There is literally not a single flower color that does not look good in a blue and white Chinese vase. There is a reason for this - blue and white mimics the sky, so our brains are hard wired to view them as a backdrop. Blue and white are nature mimicking neutrals, providing the perfect timeless and organic canvas.

• When you place warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) into the vase, you create a striking complementary or near-complementary color contrast. The warmth of the flowers sings against the cool porcelain.

• When you place cool colors (purples, pinks, whites) into the vase, you create a soothing, analogous color palette that feels monochromatic, elegant, and serene.

In addition, blue and white Chinese porcelain most often depicts organic scenes of nature like clouds, waves, trees, vines, flowers, birds, and such.

Blue & White Chinoiserie Bud Vases

Blue and White Chinoiserie Bud Vases

 

I love small vases also called bud vases. They are wonderful for bedside tables, side tables, breakfast trays, and most importantly, the dinner table. Large floral centerpieces block your view of other guests, whereas petite vases do not block your view. And they require just a single stem or a few flowers, so they are an economical choice.

Vignette

Danielle Rollins

 

A lovely vignette in the Palm Beach home of Danielle Rollins. It includes so many of my favorite things. A blue and white Chinese vase is filled with palm fronds from the garden.