I've always loved the idea of a home that feels collected over time, filled with pieces that have a story to tell. So when I stumbled across The Dainty Pear on Instagram and discovered their collection of antique French pottery, I knew I had to make a trip to Midway to see it for myself. The collection comes from the Renault family, who began producing utilitarian stoneware in France in the 18th century. For five generations, their pottery was made for everyday French kitchens. Eventually, the factory closed, but these beautiful pieces have found their way into a new home, with every piece in the collection coming directly from the original atelier.
What initially caught my eye was the character of the pottery. The earthy tones, rich glazes, imperfect edges, and wonderfully aged finishes are exactly what I love when it comes to decorating. Nothing feels too precious or overly polished. Each piece has its own personality, which is part of the charm.
My approach to styling a kitchen counter
When styling a kitchen counter, I like to work from large to small. Rather than putting everything out at once, I build the arrangement in layers, allowing the space to take shape as I go.
1. Start with your larger statement pieces
I always begin with the larger objects that will anchor the arrangement. For this space, that meant my plants, angel lamp, and round pottery bowl. These pieces establish the overall look and help me get a sense of how much room I have left to work with.
2. Introduce contrasting shapes
Once the larger pieces are in place, I look at the shapes. I noticed I had quite a few rounded objects, so I wanted to introduce something more rectangular to break things up. A wooden cutting board, rectangular tray, or stack of books can add a little contrast and make the arrangement feel more balanced.
3. Layer in the smaller details
Finally, I bring in the smaller objects. This is where I like to have a little fun with pottery, kitchen accessories, and collected pieces. They help fill in the gaps and make the arrangement feel more intentional. I'll move things around until everything feels natural without overcrowding the counter.
A little styling tip: Start with your largest pieces, play with contrasting shapes, and finish with the smaller details. Think about height, texture, and balance. You don't need a lot of objects to make a space interesting; sometimes it's just about finding the right combination.
Bringing a Little French Charm Into the Kitchen
I wanted to style the pottery in a way that felt natural to my kitchen, rather than simply displaying it as a collection. I love when everyday objects can double as decor, and these pieces are perfect for that. Whether displayed on the counter, used to hold kitchen essentials, or simply left out as a beautiful decorative accent, they bring a warmth that I think is sometimes missing from a kitchen.
There's something about mixing old pieces with the everyday things you already own that makes a space feel more personal. I don't want my home to feel like everything was purchased at once or pulled straight from a showroom. I want it to feel layered, a little imperfect, and collected over the years. And perhaps that's what I love most about these pieces. They're not just beautiful objects; they were made to be used.
Now I have a little piece of French history, right here in my kitchen.