The wonderful design and hue of Delft blue is perfect for home decor. We’ve got the low-down on how to get decorating your home with a classic Dutch theme.
Delft – the history
The chances are you’ll have seen pottery inspired by Delft Blue, the famous cream and blue pottery typically decorated with windmills and flowers. It’s been produced the city of Delft in South Holland since the 17th century.
Originally, it was a status possession, collected and shown off by rich families. Although it was called ‘porcelain’ to underline its important, Defltware was never true porcelain but made from clay coated with a tin glaze after firing. The hand painted designs owned something to a then-fashionable Chinese influence. This created a cheaper, more hard wearing result.
In spite of this, Delft Blue achieved unrivalled popularity, and at its peak, there were 33 factories in Delft. Of all of these factories, the only one remaining today is Royal Delft, which still makes pottery that’s entirely hand painted.
Gradually, Delft Blue became less popular and the factories gradually closed. Today, there’s been a resurgence of interest in the pretty, eye catching patterns and ‘Delft designs’ appear on anything from fabrics to tiles, while many manufacturers have ‘Delft Blue’ in their colour range.
Delft Blue is a perfect choice for kitchens. For a traditional look, mix pieces of china with copper pans and fresh and dried herbs. For a more contemporary look, team it with crisp, white linen, polished steel accessories and natural surfaces such as marble. Don’t stop in the kitchen, though – roll the look out throughout the house with ‘Delft Blue’ cushions, fabrics and tiles.
Here’s how to get the Dutch Delft look in your home:
Delft Blue baroque wallpaper, Young and Battaglia
A mixture of English and Dutch cultures, this silky smooth porcelain wallpaper uses a classic Mintonesque willow pattern along with Delft Blue colouring. Printed on 180g smooth wallpaper suitable for domestic usage, it costs £98 for 900 x 2500mm from In Spaces.
Delft Blue rabbit and cabbage cushion, Thornback & Peel
This cream 100% cotton cushion hand printed with Delft Blue rabbit and cabbages, bee and ladybirds comes complete with a duck feather pad and is made in Great Britain. A mixture of fresh colour with traditional imagery, it would work well in any decor and is currently on sale (was £44.95, now £24.95). Available from Annabel James.
Delft tulip tile no W.DE1537HP, The Winchester Tile Company
Hand painted and delicate, this indigo Delft style tile features flowers on a crisp white background and would be ideal for adding subtle detail to kitchens or bathrooms. This range is available in six different designs, other ranges also available. £11.45 per tile from The Winchester Tile Company.
Set of three blue Dutch plant pots, Mia Fleur
These blue Dutch style plant pots will bring some colour to your garden or houseplant display. The patterns and colours of these garden plant pots are reminiscent of Dutch delft tiles and make a pretty display on a shelf or table. Available as a set of three in two different colour choices, £32.95 from Mia Fleur.
Bologna Little Delft tiles, The Baked Tile Company
With Dutch influences by way of Spain comes this Bologna Little Delft decorative floor tile. This patterned tile looks equally good in hallways, bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens and at just £3.30 a tile, it’s a cost effective way of transforming a room. Available from the Baked Tile Company.
By Sara Walker
My homes are filled with delftware collections. There are some that I made into table lamps and placed it in living room. Exquisite. I also complement the walls of my house with delftware plates that I hang asymmetrical along the wall of my stairs. So satisfied looking at them every day. If you want to see other delftware collection, just go to aronson.com