Everyone's Buying This 17th-Century Idea That Helps Your Cut Flowers Look Perfect Every Time You Use It

Whether you opt for a traditional Delftware design, or find a more modern interpretation, these sculptural vases are the easiest way to display flowers

A 2x4 checkerboard background with a different tulipiere product in each box.
(Image credit: ABASK, Casa by JJ, Etsy, Sarah Raven, Shropshire Design, Nina Campbell, H&M)

I know, I know — tulips for spring is hardly groundbreaking, but how you showcase them certainly can be. And, no, you don't have to be a florist to do it stylishly. Turns out, you just need a 'tulipiere'.

You may have seen tulipieres before, while browsing an antique store or possibly even in your grandmother's china collection, and not actually realized what it was. But, they're rich with history. "These lovely delftware objects were created in the Netherlands and were popularized by Queen Mary II of England as a symbol of luxury in the 17th century," interior designer Jen Baxter, founder of Baxter Hill Interiors, tells me.

Structurally, this flower trend tends to be crafted from ceramic, and tall in size, with several holes at the top, big enough for a single stem. "The classic Delft blue-and-white palette that adorns more tulipieres makes them incredibly versatile," adds Jen. "They can feel traditional in one setting or add an eclectic, artistic touch in a more modern interior."

tulips in a tulipiere

Even a more traditional design can look elevated and modern in the right context.

(Image credit: Funny How Flowers Do That)

These days, they've evolved in more modern styles, too. "I’m especially drawn to the tall, stacked flower pyramids — they bring such drama and sculptural beauty to a space," says Jen.

If you've been looking for a way to arrange flowers like a professional, tulipieres make it almost fool-proof. Find nine styles to shop, below.

FAQs

What flowers can you style in a tulipiere?

Not the biggest fan of tulips? No problem. While tulips are, of course, the namesake of the tulipiere, almost any stem can work beautifully. "Dried flowers or cut branches from the garden allow you to keep a tulipiere on display year-round, giving it life even when tulips are out of season," says Jen.

And if fresh flowers aren’t practical, tulipieres can shine purely as decorative objects or even as artistic inspiration. "One of my favorite modern interpretations is 'Flower Pyramid I,' a highly-styled photograph by Marie Cecile Thijs, featured in the Rijksmuseum," says Jen. "It’s such a striking modern perspective on an important historical object."

A headshot of Jen Baxter in a purple shirt
Jen Baxter

Jen Baxter founded Baxter Hill Interiors, a boutique design studio based in Pennsylvania and Savannah, Georgia. Jen has experience in refined living and a deep passion for design. She specializes in creating bespoke interiors that enhance wellbeing, drawing on a background in home renovations and established collaborations with talented architects, craftspeople, and vendors.


Tulipieres are both traditional and surreal, blending the lines between practical decor and art pieces that will last a lifetime. Looking for more inspiration? Check out the latest flower trends for ideas on what to style in your new, stylish vase.

Olivia Wolfe
Design Writer

Olivia Wolfe is a Design Writer at Livingetc. She recently graduated from University of the Arts London, London College of Communication with a Masters Degree in Arts and Lifestyle Journalism. In her previous experience, she has worked with multiple multimedia publications in both London and the United States covering a range of culture-related topics, with an expertise in art and design. At the weekends she can be found working on her oil paintings, reading, or antique shopping at one of London's many vintage markets.