How to Choose the Perfect Handmade Pottery for Your Home
Confession #359: I spend an embarrassing amount of time imagining pottery in people’s homes. It’s like matchmaking, but with mugs and vases instead of dinner dates. Will this rustic mug find a place on a weathered timber shelf? Could that speckled vase charm its way into a minimalist white-on-white living room? These are the questions that keep me (happily) busy here at Whistle & Page.
Handmade pottery isn’t just décor—it’s soul. It’s the little touch that turns a house into a home, adding warmth, texture, and personality to every corner. But choosing the right pieces can feel a bit like standing in a field of gum trees trying to decide which one is your favourite. So, grab a cuppa (preferably in a handmade mug), and let me walk you through how to choose pottery that feels like it was made just for you.
1. Find Your Style (Or Embrace the Chaos)
First things first: What’s the vibe of your home? Is it rustic and cosy, with warm wood tones and earthy textures? Or are you more of a minimalist at heart, where clean lines and neutral palettes reign supreme? Maybe your space is an eclectic mix—a little bit of this, a little bit of that—where everything tells a story.
For rustic homes (hello, kindred spirits!), think pottery with natural finishes, earthy glazes, and textured details. My speckled oatmeal clay mugs with my signature green glaze, Petrichor, would work well. Or perhaps a hand-sculpted terracotta serving bowl with a splash of blue/ green glaze would feel right at home on your farmhouse table.
If you’re a minimalist, choose pieces that are simple but striking—like a sleek white vase with a subtle matte finish or a perfectly imperfect mug in soft neutrals. Let the craftsmanship shine as the focal point in your pared-back space.
For the eclectic lovers, go wild. Pair a bold magenta vase with a mustard-yellow throw, or mix a vintage-patterned plate with a modern black-and-white mug. There are no rules—just joy.
2. Start Small (Or Go Big if You’re Feeling Bold)
If you’re new to handmade pottery, start with a piece that you’ll use every day, like a mug or a small planter. These little pieces of functional art have a way of sneaking into your routine and making even the most mundane moments feel special.
But if you’re ready to make a statement, go big—a centrepiece bowl for your dining table, a tall vase for dramatic branches, or a cluster of pots for your courtyard (I see you, fellow plant enthusiasts). Bigger pieces have a way of grounding a space and drawing the eye without saying a word.
3. Play with Texture and Color
One of the things I love most about handmade pottery is its texture. You can run your fingers over the grooves of a wheel-thrown bowl, feel the slight roughness of raw clay under a glazed rim, or notice how the light plays off a glossy finish. Texture adds depth and dimension to your décor, so don’t be afraid to mix smooth with rough, matte with shiny.
And colour? Oh, the possibilities. Earthy greens, soft blues, creamy whites, and bold splashes of colour—there’s something for everyone. Don’t worry about matching perfectly; focus on what makes you smile. After all, a little imperfection is what makes handmade pottery so charming.
4. Mix and Match Like a Pro
The secret to styling pottery is balance. If your space has a lot of sleek, modern furniture, soften it with organic, rounded pottery. If your room is filled with rustic, textured elements, add contrast with a smooth or glossy piece.
For example, a hand-thrown vase from my collection (with its perfectly imperfect shape) would look stunning on a clean-lined console table or paired with wildflowers in the middle of a rustic dining table. And a set of tiny hand-painted plates? Perfect for mixing into a gallery wall or stacking on an open shelf next to your favourite books.
5. Let It Tell a Story
Every piece of handmade pottery has a story—and when you choose something that resonates with you, it becomes part of your story. That mug you grab every morning? It’s a reminder to slow down and savour the moment. That vase on the table? It’s tied to the memory of that perfect spring day when you picked wildflowers to fill it.
When you bring handmade pottery into your home, you’re not just adding décor; you’re adding meaning.
6. Trust Your Gut (and Your Heart)
Finally, trust yourself. If a piece speaks to you, if it makes you pause and smile, then it’s the right choice. Your home isn’t a showroom—it’s a reflection of you. Fill it with pieces that make you happy that feel like little pieces of magic in your everyday life.
Here in Murrumbateman, surrounded by golden fields and whispering gum trees, I pour my heart into every piece I create at Whistle & Page. It’s my way of bringing a little bit of this countryside magic to you. So, whether you’re looking for a mug to warm your hands or a bowl to hold the memories of family dinners, I hope you’ll find something here that feels like it was meant to be yours.
From my hands to your heart and home. Handmade slowly, intentionally, wholeheartedly.
Until next time,
Your friendly homebody potter from Murrumbateman.
