While filming a television segment last week I was reminded of a staple accessory from my mother’s porch – cotton rag rugs. These rugs are super thin and woven together kind of like those potholders that kids make in grade school.
 
Cotton rag rugs are usually found in the entry way of country homes or homes with children because they are extremely durable and are a good way to hide a little dirt. However, I think the variety of colors and sizes allow the rag rugs to be used in more than just a country porch.
 
I think adding a couple bright rag rugs could add an interesting pop of color to a room with a clean palate. I also think they could be great in front of a fireplace for a little character and for adding some more warmth to the room.   They could even be a quirky addition to a sitting room in an old town house here in the city.
 
Below are a couple options I found on eBay:


http://cgi.ebay.com/HandMade-Rag-Rug-24-x-46-white-green-cotton-blend_W0QQitemZ300139349840QQihZ020QQcategoryZ20575QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220141644946&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr12_PcY_BID_Stores_IT&refitem=220140691199&itemcount=12&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&usedrule2=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Hand-Woven-Rag-Rug-Runner-Green-Yellow-24-x62_W0QQitemZ110161818939QQihZ001QQcategoryZ20575QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/M49-DarkRed-Col-Swedish-Homespun-Rag-Rug-Runner-56_W0QQitemZ270157466549QQihZ017QQcategoryZ20574QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
For me, these rugs are a nice reminder of the porch in the home I grew up in and placing them in my home is a nice way to add a little bit of my childhood into my living space.


 

So, I’m kind of obsessed with porcelain flowers! I first came across some a few years ago when I was in a client’s office. She had these tiny handmade Parisian porcelain flowers she got while she was in the South of France…absolutely stunning.

Lately though, I’ve seen some that are more affordable than what I imagine the Parisian ones went for…


http://cgi.ebay.com/Capodimonte-Porcelain-Large-All-White-Magnolia-Flower_W0QQitemZ110161672948QQihZ001QQcategoryZ4218QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

These kinds of pieces just have such a classic elegance to them. There is something so raw and beautiful. I think they look especially great in groupings of 3 or more. If you have a large collection, you can break the groups up around a room, on a coffee table or on a work desk…they would look great anywhere really. Also, they come in so many varieties from peonies to roses, as well as different sizes (though I would suggest sticking with 3 to 6 inches).

The only downfall to porcelain flowers is that a lot of the pieces you find tend to be over the top—stay clear! There are some truly insanely colored, overly adorned, gaudy pieces…stick with the contemporary simplicity of the white versions.

Also, I love touches of porcelain on chandeliers. I recently saw a chandelier made out of metal with Nymphenburg porcelain flowers attached. The German Nymphenburg Porcelain factory is a true porcelain pioneer. They have been producing this stuff since the middle of the 18th century and they’re still at the top of their game. eBay has a pretty good selection of some of their signature styles.


http://cgi.ebay.com/1890s-NYMPHENBURG-White-FOREST-Nymph-MONK-German-1173_W0QQitemZ330142586089QQihZ014QQcategoryZ63526QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Even if you can’t use any porcelain flowers in your living space, I think they’re great to look at and many are truly works of art.

There are very few decorative accessories that go equally well in modern and traditionally styled homes. But, it seems that what holds true in fashion, at least in this case, holds true for home décor—black truly does go with everything. Well, maybe not pastels…unless of course you’re going for the Dorothy Draper/Miami Beach look… 

My favorite black decorative accessories are these big round jars from Oaxaca that I have in my living room. Oaxaca is a state in Mexico that specializes in a lot of traditional techniques like weaving, but they also have amazing pottery made out of Black Clay. Usually when I think of Mexican pottery I think of vibrant colors, which is why this type of clay is all the more striking.

Black Clay pottery has a really unique black-silvery look to it and a crystal-like sound you’ll hear if you ever flick a piece. An important thing to keep in mind if you buy a piece is that they’re mostly decorative (even though many of them are shaped like pitchers or vases). The process that is required to have the clay hold water would get rid of the beautiful color that makes the pottery so wonderful in the first place. Also, a lot of the pieces play off of positive and negative space, so if you’re filling it up with water—probably not the best idea.

Oaxaca Black Clay decorative pieces are not a full-fledged trend yet…it’s just something I personally love to use to add dimension to a space. A great way to do this would be to display one of the pieces on a small tribal table.

Unfortunately, since Oaxaca is the only place the clay can be extracted, Black Clay pieces are relatively hard to come by other than in boutique shops or eBay. Luckily, I have found some great pieces that showcase what I love about this style of pottery. The nicest Black Clay pieces are embellished with intricate patterns and burnished smooth.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MEXICAN-FAMOUS-BLACK-CLAY-POTTERY-FROM-OAXACA_W0QQitemZ300135540814QQihZ020QQcategoryZ14343QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Pottery-Oaxaca-Mexican-Art-Guelaguetza-2007_W0QQitemZ230156815845QQihZ013QQcategoryZ13741QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mexican-5-Black-Pottery-Candle-Holder-Oaxaca-Mexico_W0QQitemZ300131304031QQihZ020QQcategoryZ14343QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

I love big Black Clay pieces as well as smaller ones that can be bunched together in a grouping. The only thing I suggest staying away from are the corny cactus shaped ones…