Design 101 - Design Roots of Ceramic Furniture

Carrie Leber Nine Rooms of Happiness Book Launch

Outdoor ceramic furniture has been around for over a thousand years. The highly glazed ceramic stools and accent tables we are used to seeing today were first produced in China and began to appear in the West approximately 300 years ago.

Late Qing Dynasty Ceramic StoolsHistorically Chinese homes were constructed around a courtyard with a garden being central part of the design. Seating and tables were made of stone and ceramic to withstand the elements. The barrel or drum shaped designs were basically copies of the wooden storage barrels common for the period. The use of high-fired glazes on ceramic appeared during the Song dynasty of 960 – 1279.  Their popularity in the West began steadily grow in the mid-20 century for both interior and outdoor use. Today the range of colors, shapes and decorative uses has increased dramatically. 

House BeautifuWhile stools and accent tables are still the dominate design style, tables and vases are becoming a common theme in the outdoor space for not only their versatility but the wide palette of accent colors they provide.