Batty for Blue and White

photo: Simon Upton Michael Smith's Bel Air home, courtesy of Elle Decor.

Blue and white. Without a doubt, the  most classic color combination. Given its universal popularity, it seems strange to me that I did not respond to it until recently. Once I did, however, I became a true convert. This is partially due to the fact that--yes, it's true--the color combination goes with everything. Blue and white vases, for instance, look divine with every single color of flower, such as the pretty pink and cream roses in this Michael Smith designed vignette, above. Below, he takes the same console, mirror and lamp, adds more moon flasks (which he collects at auction),some hot pink and yellow peonies and voila...

photo: Simon Upton    
Michael Smith's moon flasks, courtesy of Houses.

I found two moon flasks up for bidding in the coming weeks, both available through the Midwest Auction Galleries in Oxford, Michigan on July 17th. Below, a 20th century porcelain moon flask, estimate $600-900.  See the Qing Dynasty one here.

moon flask, estimate $600-900

So, bunched on a console table is one way to display your blue and white. It also works well mounted on a wall, as in this Alexa Hampton room, below. Look how just a single platter really draws the eye up and prevents this room from being monochromatic and dreary. All it takes is a bracket shelf.

Alexa Hampton

Alex Papachristidis

 ...or several! Note that these shelves are white, contemporary pieces. You can find antique ones at auction, if your prefer, or you can use lucite shelves so that your vases appear to float against the wall, which can work wonders in a more contemporary setting. I love the lucite shelves at the Container Store (not to mention the price tag).

But back to blue and white. Note that designers love repeating this color combination on multiple surfaces...

Mary McDonald, courtesy of Interiors: The Allure of Style.

Joe Nye

...in multiple rooms

...in all shapes and sizes. 

Bunny Williams, courtesy of Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses

Here are some pretty possibilities available at auction.

A pair of Chinese urns, estimate $300-600. At auction, June 29th.

Lewis and Maese, an established auction house in Houston, has some lovely blue and white up for bidding tomorrow, such as these lidded urns, above, estimate $600-900, and the blue and white delftware, below. 

Pair of blue and white delftware, at auction June 29th, estimate $300-600.

Set of five delftware porcelain vases, circa 1900, at auction June 29th, estimate $400-800.

But blue and white can be found in other places too, at every price point.

Classic Spode platters, up for bidding in North Carolina on July 4th, estimate $150-250.

Early 20th c blue and white gourd vase, up for bidding on July 30th, estimate $150-250.

Japanese 19th century porcelain charger, at auction July 17th, estimate $200-400.

Chinese blue and white fish vase, at auction July 17th, estimate $100-200.

 Once you start collecting, it will be hard to stop. How will you display your blue and white?

A dining room by Bunny Williams, courtesy of Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses.

photo: Grey Crawford
Rela and Ron Gleason's kitchen, courtesy of Elle Decor.

photo: John Valiant An Allison Caccoma dining room, courtesy of House Beautiful.

photo: Francesco Lagnese
Markham Roberts, courtesy of House Beautiful.

Markham Roberts

I close with a few more possibilities. Happy hunting and enjoy your blue and white beauties!

Staffordshire plate, at auction July 16th, estimate $40-50.

Vase depicting plum blossoms, at auction July 17th, estimate $200-300.