Creative Ways to Use Ceramics especially Bowls
I’ve always been a big fan of repurposing and multi-purposing. It started as a hobby when I was eight or nine and gradually evolved into an obsession. It all began during a winter vacation drive back home from my maternal grandmother’s (Nani's) house. My family—parents, sister, and I—would drive to different places during our vacations, whether visiting relatives or exploring places like the mountains up north or Rajasthan. In the 90s, stopping at "mid-ways" or "dhabas" was a highlight. It meant not only getting a break but also enjoying fresh tandoori rotis. I still love the combination of a hot tandoori roti with sliced onions, a generous sprinkle of salt, and a dash of lemon.
One trip, however, was special. We stopped at a bakery in a town in Uttar Pradesh, and it changed everything for me. The bakery had the most stunning Christmas decorations I had ever seen in my eight years of life. There were colorful Christmas bells—some glittery, some adorned with holly leaves—cutouts of Santa, snowmen everywhere, and stars filling every corner. For an eight-year-old, it was like stepping into a starry, glittery, dessert-filled dream.
That moment marked the start of my love for handmade decorations. From that year onwards, I decorated my room every Christmas, and I still do it till today. I made thermocol bells covered in velvet paper with glitter glue designs, thermocol holly leaves wrapped in glace paper, cotton-covered thermocol snowmen, and streamers across the room. Christmas became my favorite time of the year, and making decorations my favorite activity.
As I grew older, my obsession with decorating didn’t stay confined to Christmas. It expanded into designing my dollhouse using scrap thermocol, tidying my room regularly, and eventually, redecorating my room as a 20-year-old. I noticed that as time passed, I enjoyed changing up my decor more frequently—experimenting with different pieces and combinations. This love for styling has now translated into regularly redecorating my home.
One principle I stand by is the belief that decor should be versatile. I always try to use a piece in multiple ways. Recently, I made a reel about using Blue Pottery bowls, showcasing how the beauty of each piece shines when it’s used in different ways. I firmly believe that experimenting with decor in multiple contexts highlights its full potential. Do you agree, or am I overthinking this?
This fun and regular activity of styling and repurposing is made much easier (and even more enjoyable) if you're fortunate enough to have people around who are willing to indulge your whims and fancies. I’m talking about co-inhabitants or friends who will travel a distance to help you move furniture, drill holes in the walls, shift plants, find new plug points, and so on. The list goes on, but you get the idea!
Since styling and multi-purposing bowls is fresh in my mind, let me share a few more ideas. Beautiful Decorative Bowls – how many of us buy beautiful bowls on our travels and then struggle to figure out how best to showcase them? We often wonder how to highlight their beauty while also making them functional. I know I do this all the time. More often than not, these bowls end up just sitting in a cupboard, collecting dust and as forgotten curios to be taken out 'someday'. But that needs to change – and it will!
I currently have bowls scattered throughout my home because I’m on a mission to use every piece I’ve picked up till date. Each bowl isn’t just a beautiful object; it has its own unique story to tell, and I’m a sucker for a good story!
Here goes - let’s look at top 5 ways to utilise bowls -
1. Plant in a Bowl – It’s one of my favorite things to do, and I believe it’s one of the most beautiful ways to add freshness and enhance the beauty of a bowl. Here are three key points I consider when choosing a bowl and plant combination: a. Design of the Bowl – I prefer selecting a bowl that has a plain interior and a beautifully designed exterior, allowing the design to stand out and be showcased. b. Colours of the Bowl and Plant – Plants instantly bring an element of freshness. I like to complement the color of the bowl with the plant, ensuring they enhance each other and bring out the best in both. Imagine a pink syngonium plant placed in a green coloured bowl. c. Size – Ideally, the plant’s pot should fit perfectly inside the bowl, leaving only the plant and bowl visible. While the pot doesn’t always contribute to the overall composition, it depends on the type of pot being used. Keep an eye out for examples on the Instagram page!
2. Potpourri in a Bowl – A visually appealing and fragrant way to freshen up any room. I love picking up beautiful potpourri, not only for its scent but also for its aesthetic value. My personal favorites include pinecones, shola flowers, and seashells. I typically mix store-bought potpourri with items I've collected on holidays and place them in a bowl. I prefer using bowls with a bit of height, like goblets or urn-shaped ones, or simply elevating the bowl on a wooden stand. Placing it on a stack of your favorite magazines or photo albums adds an extra touch of style. Another lovely idea is coiling a garland of fresh jasmine or mogra flowers in a bowl—this is especially great for parties!
3. Bottle Corks & Caps in a Bowl – A perfect option for nostalgia lovers. Use a transparent crystal or cut-glass bowl to hold bottle corks and caps that carry sentimental value. Whether it's the cap from a bottle purchased to celebrate a milestone, a cork from an aged wine bottle, or the cap of a bottle bought on a trip that floods you with memories and laughter, this bowl becomes a collection point—a beautiful melting pot of cherished moments.
4. Dining Table Centerpiece – When hosting friends and family, the dining table often becomes the focal point of the gathering. It’s where everyone comes together to chat and enjoy delicious food. Placing a bowl in the center as a centerpiece is a great way to draw attention and spark conversation. You can choose bowls with unique shapes, unusual colors, or ones that tell a story. Here are a few things to keep in mind: a. Placement – If the bowl’s design and color are eye-catching, you won’t need much else to make it stand out. Depending on its size and shape, consider giving it a bit of height by placing it on a stand, or simply position it in the center of the table. B. Functionality – The bowl should enhance the dining experience, not feel out of place. It could be used to serve dry items to avoid any mess, or you could place a flower arrangement in it. The key is ensuring the bowl complements the table setting without overpowering it.
Hmm as for the fifth idea… there are so many more ways to highlight and use bowls that I could share, but why not fill this fifth spot with ideas from you? I’d love for you to leave a comment sharing your favorite way to celebrate these beautiful pieces of art. Who knows, we might just end up creating a long list of creative ideas together!
Ps - I still need to figure out how to incorporate photos alongside text without making it look like the text is fleeing from the images. Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
The black coloured-glittery star is made with leftover m-seal and I use it for holding essential oil in the potpourri bowl