Since re-decorating my lounge and dining room in shades of grey and trying to create a cool and calming colour palette of soft greys and smokey blues with white accents, I’ve found myself trying to figure out where to put the colour back in. I love that slightly eclectic ‘curated’ look of homes that are full of treasured finds but I knew that wasn’t a look that was going to come over night, so I have slowly been picking things up here and there. So far we have a new print for above the mantle, a yellow vintage enamel bird and I have my eye on something else that I have spotted along the way and I thought I would share today – this collection of Italian ceramics by Aldo Londi.
Designed by Londi in the 1950’s and 60’s and produced by the Italian company Bitossi, the collection is famous for it’s intricate patterns and the vibrant shade of Rimini blu that it is named after. I fell completely head over heels for the quirky animals in his signature style – some of them are angular and pointed with a modern aesthetic whereas others have exaggerated curves and almost appear reminiscent of Minoan pottery with Etruscan horses and bulls.
Of course, I love the cats, particularly this tall cat so accurately portraying the aloof nature of my favourite creatures, but the birds, elephants and rams or lions come a close second. If you’re not feeling as quirky, then the cylindrical vases have a distinctly mid-century modern feel, and the curved ones again look reminiscent of some kind of ancient water vessel, all coated in the jewel like translucent glaze which smooths over the roughly etched designs.
The best thing about buying something like this is the feeling of timelessness and history you get when you buy a design classic. The pieces are just as relevant now as they were when initially designed which means they will still look special (no doubt in several different rooms) as time wears on.
Do you love these as much as I do readers?
Love,
Rebecca
xo
The collection is available at Heals starting around £48 with some of the larger pieces being between £80-150 or The Lollipop Shoppe or SCP (Different selections of animals available at different stores)