Ceramics

Ceramics encompasses objects made from clay that are shaped by hand or on a wheel, then fired at high temperatures in a kiln to achieve permanence and durability. This ancient art form—dating back over 25,000 years to the earliest known fired clay figurines—includes a vast spectrum of decorative objects from rough, unglazed stoneware to refined, glazed porcelain. In interior design, ceramics are celebrated for their artisanal quality, tactile warmth, and the unmistakable evidence of the human hand in their creation. From Japanese wabi-sabi tea bowls to contemporary studio pottery, ceramics carry a depth of cultural meaning and sensory richness that mass-produced objects cannot match. The contemporary ceramics revival has brought a renewed appreciation for handmade pottery in modern interiors. Designers use ceramic objects—vases, bowls, plates displayed as wall art, sculptural forms, and tiles—to introduce organic texture, earthy color palettes, and a sense of grounded, handcrafted authenticity. The slight irregularities of hand-thrown ceramics—uneven rims, finger marks in the glaze, variations in color—are precisely what make them appealing in an age of machine precision. Ceramics work across virtually every design style, from the clean lines of Scandinavian interiors to the layered warmth of bohemian spaces, making them one of the most universally versatile decorative mediums.