Dealing With the Hand You're Delft With

I grew up in West Michigan amongst one of the largest Dutch communities outside of The Netherlands. I’m quite used to windmills, wooden shoes, tulips and of course Delftware.

The luscious blues and whites of Delftware are named after the city of Delft (also the home to the painter Vermeer). Starting in the early 17th century this combination of vivid blue and bright white has brought life to many a dull and dark room. (Surprisingly, although we think blue and white when we hear Delft, there we many other colors originally.) There have been periods of time where Delft was hot and a few when it was looked upon as old and boring. Well, we are in one of those time periods when Delft is once again a rising trend; and by looking at all the items that are now being shown in the bright Delft blue and white combination I can see why. This combination looks clean and cheery. From pillows to curtains, wallpaper to pottery, furniture to simple drawer pulls, Delft is showing up all over this season.

My suggestion on using Delft in a room is like my suggestion for adding color to any room. Use it as your accent, as you jumping off point. Use it to brighten a dreary room or add sparkle to a room you use early in the morning. Now, if you want to go all out and know you are a person that can handle a big punch of pattern and color, try using these colors in a whole room… go whole hog and enjoy the striking room you end up with.

Finally you know what I am going to say; try using a rug to bring a bit of Delft into a room. Whether it’s a solid blue, a blue and white or an all white area rug, try adding it to your room and seeing what you get. If you use a solid blue rug or a solid white rug make sure you pair it with the opposite in a piece of occasional furniture, draperies or bedding.

Here are a few suggestions on area rugs I think would look great in a blue and shite room. Also, don't be afraid to add some yellow or red (yes I know it won't be pure Delft, but who says you have to be a purest?)

This area rug from Homefires is both the classic Delft combination AND a great nautical inspiration. Nothing wrong with combining these two great themes!

If you want something a bit more subtle and still want to work with blues and whites, try this area rug from 828's Aurora collection. A bit more subdued on the blue side but still with a beautiful pattern and shade.

Finally, let's say you want something more contemporary BUT still like the classic combination of blue and white... try this great rug from Milliken's Pastiche collection. You get the colors but with a decidedly modern twist.

So, if you get the blues, don't worry, with a little Delft in your life you'll be able to brighten any room and any mood.