This post is a paid partnership written in collaboration with Kähler Design
After snowy storms and drab, dingy days, I don’t know about you, but Spring feels just around the corner – the mornings are lighter, outside the birds are chirping away and the buds are just beginning to bloom. As nature begins to wake up and come back to life, it’s making me want to have a simple Spring refresh and fill my home with an uplifting flourish of vibrant greenery.
So today I’ve teamed up with Kähler Design, Denmark’s oldest ceramic brand, (who you might remember I’ve written about twice before, here and here) to show how their beautiful new Hammershøi flowerpots and vases can be used to brighten up your interior.
As a little recap – Kähler Design collaborates with young talents and established designers to create timeless hand-crafted classics, designed to be used everyday, not just for special occasions. Their ceramics are objects to keep and cherish, and what better way to nurture your home than to surround yourself with plants and flowers each day. I love how plants can add colour, texture and life to an interior, they make a space feel lived in and loved – your own little sanctuary that can evolve and grow with you.
Designed by Norwegian-born industrial designer Hans-Christian Bauer, these new flowerpots are part of Kähler’s Hammershøi collection. The sculptural shape and lined pattern of the designs are a contemporary interpretation of the large vases that the Danish artist and trained ceramicist Svend Hammershøi originally created in the Kähler workshop in Næstved in the early 20th century. Hammershøi’s special skill was the striking profilling, horizontally and vertically, which he marked onto vessels and bowls. Later he revived unglazed red terracotta by creating large jars and floor vases.
Kähler explains: ‘We are now carrying on this tradition in every single design, carefully taking into account the silhouette, functionality, and choice of colour in combination with the iconic grooves, giving rise to the range’s classic, yet modern expression.’
The new flowerpots come in four different sizes, and are available in natural, unglazed white and more polished, glazed light grey versions. Organic in shape and tactile to touch, the small sizes are ideal for succulents and delicate spring bulbs, while the large versions add a decorative touch to taller and bigger houseplants.
To get you started with a Spring refresh, here I’ve shared my top tips for looking after your house plants:
– When you buy a plant do your research, find out how much light it likes or how often it needs to be watered. Choose your species according to the qualities of your space, whether it’s dark and north facing, or sunny and south facing. That way you can find a perfect spot for it – a monstera likes to be positioned in indirect light, for instance, ferns are better away from direct light and are ideal for bathrooms, while cacti and succulents prefer the brightest corners of your home
– Rotate plants slightly every now and then so each side gets access to light and they can grow evenly
– But don’t keep moving them to different positions, plants can be quite sensitive to changes in light and temperature – once you find a spot that suits your plant keep it there to avoid sun damage, yellowing and sad, droopy leaves
– Prune dead leaves to allow for new growth
– Buy a little plant mister (like my brass one, similar here) to keep your plants moist and healthy in between waterings
– Make sure pots have good drainage to avoid soggy, mould roots and water collecting in the bottom. If your pot doesn’t have holes at the bottom, you can keep the plant in its plastic pot and take it out when it needs watering, or add small stones or pebbles at the bottom before putting in the soil
– Pay attention to the little details – yellowing leaves, droopy stems – all signs your plant needs a little care and attention. One of the most common causes is overenthusiastic watering. Get to know your plant and nurture their needs, and they should reward you with bright new flowers and green leaves
– Repotting – if your plant looks like its outgrowing its pot, for instance if its roots are poking through, think about transplanting it to a bigger one, that way it can continue to grow stronger without becoming restricted. This is best done in late winter, early spring before new growth begins. Be gentle, hold the plant by the base of its stems, turn it upside down, poke lightly through the drainage holes and slowly loosen the pot. Gently flick away any excess soil with your fingers and loosen the roots so it can take root and spread out in the new pot. Pat it down into its new home with lots of new compost
– Adapt your care with the seasons – most varieties require less moisture in winter, when they go dormant and have a rest, and more in the warmer months. Be careful putting plants too near radiators and keep rooms well ventilated
– No matter the size of your home, you can always find ways to add greenery. If you’re struggling with space, get creative – utilise slim windowsills, a shelf above the sink, a pile of books on the floor, the shower curtain rail or a hook in the ceiling for a hanging planter
The clean, smooth lines of these pots are so appealing don’t you think? I love the attention to detail, like for example, the initials of Herman A. Kähler, HAK, that are stamped on the bottom of each product or on the side of their charming, decorative glazed cones that add a sculptural counterpoint.
I hope this post has inspired you to get green-fingered and bring the outside in this Spring. It needn’t be complicated or cost the earth, start with a few easy-to-keep Spring bulbs and go from there. They’ll uplift your everyday no end.
The collection is available in Kähler’s web shop at www.kahlerdesign.com and design shops across Europe. The flowerpots start from £19.90
All images Cate St Hill
