Granny Chic with vintage vases

Cozy, old-fashioned vases

Old-fashioned has long been a negative word, but with the rise of the Granny Chic style of living, the word is once again taking on a positive connotation. And rightly so, because old-fashioned home decorations know, like no other, how to add cosiness and homeliness to an interior. Think of the old-fashioned vase that used to sit on your grandparents' table as a showpiece. Mass production as we know it now did not exist back then and such an old-fashioned vase was a possession that was cherished. Quality and craftsmanship were incredibly important and that is also why this old vase from grandma is still loved today. A lot of love, time and attention was put into such an old vase and it shows. You can often recognize a vintage vase by its ornate details, intricate shapes and rich frills. Quality does not lose its shine and it is precisely such a vintage vase that adds a touch of homeliness to today's modern interior that cannot be imitated.

Decorating with vintage vases

The easiest way to implement the Granny Chic style in your home is to put down a few vintage vases. Of course, it's great fun to scour flea markets and thrift stores in search of a gorgeous vintage vase. With a bit of luck you will come across an authentic vintage Chinese vase full of exotic decorations or, on the contrary, a solid vintage German vase with large areas of color, but the most popular vintage vase still remains the old vase in Delft blue. Such a hand-painted, porcelain vase does not lose its value and even on second-hand sale places you still pay a good amount for such an old vase. This vintage vase in blue is still made in the authentic way today. At the Heinen Delftware factory, the hand-painted Delft blue vases are made just as they were a hundred years ago. The clay is poured into a mold, a sponge is used to smooth the vase and a master Delft blue painter decorates the vase. So you can easily bring the charm of a vintage vase into your home, while the vase is actually brand new just like when your grandmother proudly placed it on her oak table for the first time.

Old vase with a new look

In addition to traditional vases that have been made the same way for hundreds of years, we also make old vases in a new look. This is a nice option when you are looking for the charm of an old-fashioned vase, but when you still want something modern in your home. For example, consider the vintage vase for tulips, also known as the pyramid vase or the tulip vase. This ancient vase was once conceived for Queen Mary who wanted to fill her palaces in Europe with fresh flowers and was made by the Delft potteries, the ultimate Delft blue vintage vase. The shape of the vase has remained the same over the centuries. This old vase consists of several layers that are stacked on top of each other and run upward in a point. From this vintage vase we have made many modern variations, as you can see in the Stacking Madness collection. The stackable vase still consists of the same shapes as the old-fashioned vase, but now comes in all kinds of modern prints and colors. A perfect fusion of old and new. Or choose a vase with a modern, fresh print, but in the shape of an old-fashioned vase. How deliciously retro it is when you can put a vintage large vase in the shape of a milk can on the table. Or in the shape of a 3D model vase of the Girl with a Pearl Earring by master painter Johannes Vermeer. Experiment with vases with a modern shape and an old-fashioned decoration or the other way around; a vintage shape and a modern decoration, to mimic the charm of that old, vintage vase.

Vintage vase with floral prints

To add the Granny Chic living style in your home, it is important to choose home accessories with floral prints. Flower decorations come in a variety of styles so with a little searching, you'll find a beautiful floral pattern that suits you. For example, choose a vintage vase with an all-over detailed floral pattern, or an old-fashioned vase shaped like a milk can with big lush flowers on top. Most Delft blue vintage vases have their own iconic floral decorations, from which you can recognize the hand of the real master painter. In fact, it takes years for a Delft blue painter to master this painting technique. Or go for a vintage large vase with pastel-colored flowers on it or keep it simple and choose a set of small vases with one orange tulip on the belly of the vase. Whatever type of floral pattern you choose, a vintage large vase with flowers is the top piece of the Granny Chic living style.

Granny Chic vintage vases

A vintage vase is the ideal showpiece for a Granny Chic living style, but it is also fun to combine your old vase with typical Granny Chic home decorations for the wall. When you think of Granny Chic, you think of antique cabinets and tables, candles, woolen fabrics and textures and cute animals like cats and little birds. Let the style of your vintage vase flow through to the walls with fun Delft Blue wall signs of animal portraits like cats, lambs and bunnies. Our Forest Bird collection full of twittering, colorful birds is also a great fit for this homey, cozy home decor style. This timeless home decor also includes a colorful combination of color in the home, so don't be too careful and just buy that eye-catching vintage orange glass vase. Pair the colored glass with a vintage blue vase and a few traditional Delft blue candlesticks in different sizes for an organized, cozy mess.

DO's & DON'TS with vintage vases

Granny Chic is also called the Jackie O among interiors, after the stylish wife of former President Kennedy. In this interior you combine the eclectic style of living with the shabby chich style of living, in which especially many personal elements come to the fore. The interior designers at The Spruce offer a few handy tips for translating this style to your own home:

YES: Make it cozy! Add knitted rugs, patchwork blankets and pillows with fringes to your interior. Also consider old vases with lots of ornaments and details on them or vintage vases with floral patterns.

NO: Stay away from cold materials, such as industrial wall shelves and steel candle holders.

YES: Choose classic elements, such as crystal chandeliers, cornices and a vintage Chinese vase full of rich exotic colors.

NO: Beware of trendy colored vases, but do choose an old-fashioned vase in a timeless color that was beautiful a hundred years ago and will still go with everything a hundred years from now.

YES: Maximalist is allowed! Throw that big leather ear armchair full of cozy cushions to sink into with a good book. Leave no surface empty but fill every corner with a beautiful vintage vase, antique books or miniature bronze statues.

NO: Don't stick with just one or two colors in your interior and three boring beige pillows on your couch. Fill the space with different colors that flow pleasantly into each other and occasionally provide a sharp contrast.

YES: Add handmade home decorations with a story. Think of the old-fashioned vase you got from grandma, that vintage large vase you found at the flea market for a euro or that handmade vintage vase you had painted yourself by a master painter from Heinen Delfts Blauw.

NO: Avoid mass-produced vases and other home decorations of which there are thousands in stores.