Beautiful blues

For a short while around 1997 I was into blue stuff in my kitchen. Since then it hasn't really been 'my' colour (other than mostly Rimini blue type ceramics – but more on that in a different post). Every summer there seem to be blue stuff featured in various interior design magazines, and lately it's been growing on me again. Pictured above are some of my recent finds while thrifting. From the left: a big Cathrineholm ashtray in blue enamel, designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen. Floral cookie tin from Ira, Denmark. On top of the tin is a tea cup and saucer in Koka Blå from Rörstrand, designed by Hertha Bengtson (a set I'm now collecting and love for its beautiful simplicity). To its right is a tin in the Unikko pattern from Marimekko (thank you Gro! ;-) and in front is a coffee cup from Bilton’s, England.

Erik Pløen lamp

At this point I have quite a few vintage ceramic lamps in my house. I really didn't need more, but I just couldn't resist this unique one when I saw it in a second hand shop last week (at a bargain, I might add). It was the blue and green pattern on its back, picturing sky and sea with birds and fish that attracted me to it at first, more than the fisherman, although I think he's pretty cool looking too :-) Also the sheer size and weight of this lamp is quite impressive. The lamp is signed Erik Pløen, one of the best known Norwegian pottery artist. The lamp dates back to 1948.