ORIGINAL HANDICRAFT FROM POLAND IN A MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN

How to obtain an interesting effects of interior design using handicrafts? Grey pottery, Lowicz paper cutouts, decorative fabric (tapestry) and wickerworks in the interior design

Grey pottery, Lowicz paper cutouts, lace from Koniakow, decorative fabric (tapestry) and wickerworks made of a pine root – these are the examples of original handicraft products from Poland that, thanks to their timeless value and beauty, can be successfully used in a modern interior design.

ceramika siwa w przedpokoju

Grey pottery and Lowicz paper cutout

Original handicraft promoted by the My Poland handicraft store

My Poland is not only a handicraft store. We are passionate about Polish handicraft, which we consider to be unique and valuable. That is why one of our goals is to support the development of Polish handicraft, to promote it in Poland and in the world and to show that handicraft products do not only belong to tradition – the value of these beautiful, hand-made products is timeless. They also perfectly fit into modern interior design trends.

In many of our articles we have already written about the possibilities of using handicrafts in modern interior design. In this text, we would like to show you how you can use products such as Lowicz paper cutouts, Koniakow lace, gray pottery, dual-warp decorative fabric, wickerworks made of a pine root in the decoration of a modern home. We will recall some examples that we have already shown and present new ones. We hope that they will be an inspiration for you to create your own, modern compositions, using original handicraft from Poland for an interesting interior arrangement. Enjoy your reading.

Grey pottery – folk ceramics with a classic form and interesting color

We have not written for a long time about grey pottery, that is one of our favorite products of Polish handicraft. Folk ceramics usually use different patterns and color compositions – gray pottery stands out of it above all by the classic beauty of its form. Its characteristic feature is also an interesting silver-gray color that perfectly matches modern interiors – it is from this that this pottery took its name.

Gray pottery look beautiful in interiors decorated in shades of white, black and gray. An example can be the arrangement of this modern hall. Grey pottery was put here close by the dark gray pouf. Thanks to its dark color it nicely stands out from light gray tiles. The beautiful, classic form of the dish will certainly attract the attention of every guest.

ceramika siwa dekoracja przedpokoju

folk ceramics – grey pottery – a big vase with two handles

Thanks to their neutral color, the grey pottery will also match interiors in which intense colors were used. The silver-gray color of these dishes will blend well with any intense color. In this arrangement, folk ceramics were used to decorate the kitchen. An interesting effect was achieved thanks to the combination of intense red with additions in gray, black and white. Against the background of an intense red wall, the grey pottery looks wonderful. The colorful background allows you to underline not only the form, but also the delicate decoration of the grey pottery. A dark gray worktop and black and white photo in a white frame complete the composition.

grey pottery – a pot with a characteristic silver color look beautiful against the red wall

grey pottery – a pot with a characteristic silver color look beautiful against the red wall

You can also prepare a composition in which we will use more grey pots.

folk ceramics – grey pottery – composition with use of two pots, the wall in contrasting colors in the background

folk ceramics – grey pottery – composition with use of two pots, the wall in contrasting colors in the background

You can also add an additional contrasting element to the composition – e.g. a flower pot.

folk ceramics – a jug (grey pottery) and a flower pot
folk ceramics – a jug (grey pottery) and a flower pot

Grey pottery will also fit into warmer interiors, kept in brown colors, in which wooden textures are used. In addition, an interesting effect can be obtained by placing a gray pot near the mirror – as in the example below.


grey pottery – a big vase with two handles pub close by the mirror in which it is reflected

Lowicz paper cutouts and grey pottery – an interesting contrast of color and grey

Folk ceramics in interior design can be used alone or combined with other forms of handicraft – e.g. a paper cutout. A very interesting arrangement effect can be obtained by composing grey pottery – with its characteristic subdued silver color, with a Lowicz paper cutout, which is distinguished by a huge richness of colors. This combination was used in the decor of this modern kitchen.

The kitchen is decorated in grey, white and beige. The silver grey pot refers to the dominant grey tone. The Lowicz paper cutout is a colorful, distinctive element, brightening the interior and making it look joyfull. The frame itself is neutral – white – thanks to which you can see even more clearly how elaborate and beautiful is the Lowicz paper cutout that adorns the wall of this kitchen.

Lowicz paper cutout and folc ceramics (grey pottery) as a decoration of a modern kitchen

Lowicz paper cutout and folc ceramics (grey pottery) as a decoration of a modern kitchen

An additional interesting effect can be achieved by mounting discrete LED lighting above the Lowicz paper cutout and grey pottery. Thanks to it, also in a dark room you can distinguish decorative elements that are to be display. Lowicz patterns with their vivid colors look beautiful when they are properly highlighted.

thanks to the backlight, the Lowicz paper cutout and gray pottery are clearly visible even in the evening.

thanks to the backlight, the Lowicz paper cutout and gray pottery are clearly visible even in the evening.

Lowicz paper cutouts – an independent decorative element

The Lowicz paper cutouts are also perfect as an independent decorative element. An interesting effect can be obtained by composing two cutouts side by side. An example can be this decoration of the hallway. It uses two Lowicz paper cutouts of the same size and in both cases using the “gwiozda” motif (this is one of the Lowicz patterns used in the paper cutouts), however, differing in terms of both the colors dominating in these compositions and the method of framing (although in both cases the frame is white).

Lowicz paper cutouts as a decorative element of a corridor

Lowicz paper cutouts as a decorative element in a modern hall – two cutouts of different colors and texture

The first cutout that has no passe-partout gives a particularly interesting effect. Thanks to the fact that it is framed in a transparent glass pane, you can see through it the interesting texture of the wall.

Lowicz paper cutout in a glass frame

Lowicz paper cutout in a glass frame through which an interesting wall texture can be seen

Standing Lowicz paper cutouts – a decoration of windowsill, dressers, fireplace or a desks

The My Poland handicraft store is always looking for modern and practical solutions. Therefore, our cutouts of smaller sizes are framed in such a way that they can not only be hung on the wall, but also put somewhere.

The Lowicz paper cutouts will look beautiful as a windowsill decoration. An example would be this Lowicz paper cutout using other popular Lowicz pattern – roosters.

Lowicz paper cutout with a rooster on a windowsill

Lowicz paper cutout with a rooster on a windowsill

The Lowicz paper cutout can also be used as a decoration of a dresser, other furniture, fireplace or desk. Our handicraft store receives many orders for Lowicz paper cutouts bought as a company gift. In the case of such a cutout, you can choose the colors – so that it matches the interior (often the interior design of the company is maintained in company colors). Although traditional Lowicz patterns use many different colors, it is also possible to order compositions in which we limite the color palette and use, for example, two dominant colors – as in the example below.

standing Lowicz paper cutout – “gwiozda” in an elegant silver frame, Lowicz patterns that decorate it have been color-adjusted, limiting the palette of colors

standing Lowicz paper cutout – “gwiozda” in an elegant silver frame, Lowicz patterns that decorate it have been color-adjusted, limiting the palette of colors

The Lowicz paper cutout with a matching color palette will also be great as a personalized gift – you can use the person’s favorite colors and match the cutout with the color of his/her home or room in which the cutout is to be hung. Lowicz patterns, thanks to their rich colors, easily adapt to individual color tastes and, combined with an interesting frame, allow to obtain a very original and unique compositions.

Lowicz paper cutout – an example of a personalized gift

Lowicz paper cutout – an example of a personalized gift for a person liking blue color

Koniakow lace

Koniakow lace – lace wall decoration

We have already written several times about the use of lace in interior design. Of the products offered by the My Poland handicraft store, it is the lace from Koniaków that is the most popular among interior architects.

White Koniakow lace in a black frame and on a black background is most often used. Thanks to this contrast, it is best to emphasize the mastery of the pattern. Black and white, neutral composition will also fit many modern interiors – like this hall.

lace from Koniakow - two framed laces side by side in a modern hall

lace from Koniakow – two framed laces side by side in a modern hall

An interesting decorative effect can also be obtained by using a mirror and placing it in such a way that the viewer can see the reflection of our lace image in it. In this example, an interesting golden, decorative mirror frame was used – it contrasts with the simple decor of the entire hall and the black, minimalist frame of Koniakow lace.

a framed Koniakow lace reflected in a mirror

a framed Koniakow lace reflected in a mirror

Lace from Koniakow can also be given as a personalized gift, a company gift or used in office interior design. You can hang it on the wall or put on a cabinet, dresser, windowsill or desk. In this case, the lace and frame color can be matched to the corporate colors of the company or if it is to be given as a personalized gift – we can use the person’s favorite color.

framed cognac lace - an example of a personalized gift
framed cognac lace – an example of a personalized gift in an office interior

Decorative fabric – tapestry

Decorative fabric – tapestry – an exclusive element of the interior design

Decorative fabric, especially tapestries, is an element of interior design that has been present in wealthy homes for a long time. This form of interior decoration has already been used in an ancient Egypt, China or Peru. In Europe, decorative fabric has been developing since the 14th century, when the first tapestry workshops were created in France. To this day, beautiful examples of this original handicraft can be admired while visiting former palaces or museums.

However decorative fabric is not only the art reserved for the upper classes. It also appeared as an important element of interior design in folk art. The My Poland handicraft store chose from a range of weaving products from various regions of Poland a special form of this handicraft – a dual-warp fabric. This is one of the most exclusive weaving products – this decorative fabric is woven only from wool, and the technique of its manufacture is very labor intensive. It takes up to two months for weaving one carpet about two meters long (from preparing the wool to the finished product). It is also an extremely rare handicraft – today it is found in Europe only in a few countries – Spain, Sweden, Italy and Poland, where it has been preserved in only one center – in Janów. So if you are looking for a really original and exclusive product for interior design – we recommend a dual-warp decorative fabric.

decorative fabric – a set of tapestries

decorative fabric – a set of tapestries

Decorative fabric – tapestry – a decoration of not only a wall

Historically, a dual-warp decorative fabric was used as a wall decoration, covering of a bed, table or altar (in a church). She was also often added to the bride’s dowry and was a highly valued element of this dowry. How the decorative fabric can be used in interior design today? It depends entirely on our fantasy.

As we have already written, in the past tapestries were very often used as wall decorations – and this is how they can still be used today. Both small tapestries and larger forms are suitable.

An example of a large decorative fabric that can be used as a wall decoration is this rug from the collector’s products offer of the My Poland handicraft store. It was awarded in 2008 with the prize at the 16th Competition for dual-warp fabrics organized in Janów. The tapestry depicts a wedding pageant, it is made by a master of dual-warp weaving.

decorative fabric - prestige offer - collector's item

decorative fabric – prestige offer – collector’s item – tapestry awarded in the competition

The same decorative fabric can also be used as a carpet (although in this case we recommend placing it in a less frequented place so that the tapestry does not get damaged quickly)

 decorative fabric - a carpet in front of the fireplace

decorative fabric – a carpet in front of the fireplace

Decorative fabric can also be used as a sofa cover.

Decorative fabric as a sofa cover

Decorative fabric as a sofa cover

Dual-warp decorative fablric – two-sidedness

An interesting feature of the dual-warp decorative fabric, that can be used in interior design, is its two-sidedness. Such a decorative fabric can be successfully transferred from one side to the other (although a trained eye will catch which side is suggested as the leading one). Thanks to this, having one tapestry, we can change the tone of our interior arrangement to a lighter or darker one. You can also use a pair of fabrics with an analogous pattern and combine them side by side to create an interesting play of colors.

floral tapestry - dark side of the dual-warp fabric

floral tapestry – dark side of the dual-warp fabric

the bright side of the dual-warp fabric - a tapestry with a floral motif

the bright side of the dual-warp fabric – a tapestry with a floral motif

Decorative fabric – a personalized gift

Decorative fabric can also be successfully used as a personalized gift. It can be adjusted for both color and theme. You can also weave the date, initials or names of the recipients or a short dedication or motto into the fabric.

decorative fabric - tapestry with a wedding procession, date and initials

decorative fabric – tapestry with a wedding procession, date and initials

The My Poland handicraft store especially recommends tapestries as a personalized gift for wedding. The motif of such a fabric can be a wedding, a young couple, a household, a symmetrical pattern of hearts or other motif indicated by you. We especially recommend tapestries with the tree of life motive for this occasion. We can make them in the colors indicated by you (the limitation is the available palette of natural colors used in two-wire weaving) and integrate personalized motifs (as described above).

Such a personalized decorative fabric, e.g. with a wedding date incorporated into the pattern together with an aesthetically framed wedding photo, will be an original and beautiful decoration of the salon in the bridal home and will remind the household members and guests about this important event, which is the wedding.

decorative fabric with the tree of life motif - recommended as a personalized gift for a wedding

decorative fabric with the tree of life motif – recommended as a personalized gift for a wedding

Wickerworks made of a pine root

Wickerworks made of a pine root – low cost, interesting effect

Some of the interior design products we have described – e.g. a large Lowicz paper cutout, lace from Koniakow, decorative fabric or some grey pots are quite expensive products – because of their laborous character and a long time needed to make them. However, among the products offered by the My Poland handicraft store you will also find original handicrafts, the purchase of which does not require a large financial outlay, and which will also allow you to prepare an interesting interior arrangement. An example of such products are wickerworks made of a pine root.

We especially recommend the basket – cradle. This interesting form works perfectly in the arrangement of various rooms. In the bathroom, a basket made of a pine root can be used, for example, to store spare towels.
It will look good in a classic-style interior.

wickerworks made of a pine root in the bathroom with classic elements - spare towels in the basket

wickerworks made of a pine root in the bathroom with classic elements – spare towels in the basket

It will also look good in a more modern bathroom, which uses large glass panes and tiles in shades of gray.

basket - cradle - wickerworks made of a pine root - in a modern bathroom

basket – cradle – wickerworks made of a pine root – in a modern bathroom

The same basket in the hall can be used to store scarves. Thanks to this, they will always be at hand, and the hall will gain additional, colorful and interesting decoration.

wickerworks made of a pine root - basket with scarves in the hallway

wickerworks made of a pine root – basket with scarves in the hallway

We hope that this article will inspire you to search for your own ideas of how to use original handicraft from Poland in a modern interior design. The products described in this article and many other interesting hand-made products from various regions of Poland can be found in our handicraft store: