“You have to be absolutely modern” said Rimbaud, and our craftsmen think the same when it comes to creating original ceramic pieces . That is why, if the world is divided between those who create trends and those who follow them, these pottery artists are in the first group and with them and all the pieces we make with them and that represent the best ideas for decorating the home and of course, what is next: the decoration trends for 2023. Ana Illueca, a Valencian ceramist, told us one day in her workshop “There are those who think that modernity is the opposite of tradition and they are wrong”. We agree with her so much, and we not only affirm it, but we can prove it.
The cinema has vindicated our potters. When we travel with our van in search of popular Spanish ceramics and enter the workshops of our ceramists, we discover that although they maintain their craft as they did centuries ago, they do not stop experimenting so that their designs are not only respectful, but also current and innovative. In Pedro Almodóvar 's films, he already bet on our beloved Portuguese ceramics in La ley del deseo, but in the latest films he has incorporated Spanish ceramics. In fact, in Madres Paralelas, a fajalauza basin appears, but also pieces of rural ceramics in a context as contemporary as the house of Penélope Cruz.
Ceramic trends in 2023
If the manchego is at the antipodes of the classic, his decorations are no less. But we like to see how he vindicates in his productions, among great pieces of contemporary decoration, our artisans. By the way, Portuguese ceramics, from our section of ceramics by weight , also appeared in another series that if we review it surprises us with its boldness and modernity, The Golden Girls, who in their second living room, the kitchen, had a shelf entirely decorated with these pieces.
Ideas for decorating with handmade ceramics
But let's go further, the next thing to come is wallpapers with new shapes of plates, but why not go a step further and make a composition with monochromatic round plates in honey, pink and navy blue that could easily be part of an installation taken from a museum. Spanish ceramic tableware has all these pieces and more. Especially the ones we found in Almería.
Our potters from Níjar have taken their traditional glazes, with which they made the chinesque or chinado, that spattering of small yellow, blue, green specks on a white background, and have used them to create monochromatic ceramic tableware. But don't think of it as a simple way, but rather as it should be done. Here it goes: on the red clay they apply a white glaze, over which a final glaze is applied, the glazed colour. The result? Trays, dishes, basins in an elegant emerald green, a dazzling honey colour or the latest novelty, a pink that makes us say that it is the Pop wheel.
Wallpapers with new shapes
Setting the table with them is turning any meal into a festival, even if it is a weekday, but if we use them on the walls, we create an art composition with our ceramic art. Create one of these installations on the walls, with pieces ranging from the smallest to the most powerful and create a constellation. You can also do it on the table, and if you add appetizers to these trays, plates and dishes, you will reach celebrity level among your friends.
Ceramic mugs
And here, don't forget something that can mark your day from the moment you wake up: ceramic mugs. From choosing one that you like just by looking at it and even more so by touching it, to using one that doesn't say anything to you, there's a world of difference. So this goes for you or for whoever you want, don't hesitate to write down original mugs to give as gifts in your diary, as a reminder of upcoming dates. We offer you ones from Almería, Seville, Portugal and some other surprises that we have in store for you to visit us. A ceramic mug includes everything your brain needs to be better, we have no doubts.
Home decorative ceramics
Here we are going to make a statement of intent, and that is that Spanish ceramics has something similar to Raffaella Carrá's songs, even to Raffaella herself. That is to say, what is capable of unifying the elegant, the festive, the brilliant and the united more than Raffaella and our tableware? I'll leave it there.
But hey, minimalist friends, we also have a little corner for you on our shelves, and in our hearts, of course. In Levante, where the clay is white, we found a family of potters who had dedicated themselves to making botijos until they began to experiment with other types of pieces, vases with architectural and curvilinear lines that respect the tradition of the botijo or botijo power, because look how powerful this piece is.
These vases have the same peculiarity as botijos, they are porous, or sweat, so they must include a saucer underneath. We prefer to use them for dried or freeze-dried flowers, because alone, with their white clay tone with lime, they remind us of a Morandi painting, and with a dry branch, eucalyptus leaves or oak leaves they are so sophisticated that any corner of the house will become a showcase.
Do you want to keep up to date with the latest trends in Spanish ceramics?
We have just returned from touring the Spanish and Portuguese workshops with a moving van. It has been an incredible journey, as always, where we were able to see everything they have created for us for next year, where all the heavy stuff is launched into the future, in a sustainable way, in colours ranging from neutral to vitamin-rich, from matte to glazed. All elements so functional as to be able to give them a new and fascinating use. Decontextualise, be happy, enjoy, that is what setting the table is all about, or putting Spanish ceramics in every corner, small acts of love towards your home and yourself. That is self-care, that is pampering, and that is what we do, and we love it. Plus, it is contagious.
