If anyone knows how to make a house a home, it's Martha Stewart. Her lessons on home-making have influenced generations, and one thing she always encourages is personal finishing touches that make for a more characterful design. In her case, that involves an iconic pottery collection in one very specific shade.
Martha is no stranger to collecting. From her extensive collection of jadeite Fire-King restaurantware to her ever-increasing inventory of copper cookware, she speaks openly about her love for decorating with vintage collectibles. It's a hobby that also extends to McCoy pottery, and she has an impressive collection of the brand's jardinières in a beautiful aqua color.
The McCoy company was founded in the mid-1800s in Ohio and is one of the most popular collectible pottery brands in the USA, decorating shelves across the country. Martha's collection - which includes the brand's iconic quilted jardinières to striped pitchers and wave-formed planters, all of which were popular in the 1950s - is displayed at Lily Pond, her former home in East Hampton, New York.
'McCoy pots are not particularly rare or expensive, but they always make me smile,' she wrote in her blog. 'Most of the aqua pieces are in my kitchen now, set against walls painted a deep mauvey-rose to enhance their beauty and form.'
Shop Mccoy planters on Etsy
This planter is a listed, unsigned McCoy from the 1930s. The glaze is a beautiful matte green/blue and the design is the potter's classic raised leaf and berries pattern.
Exactly like Stewart's planter, this vintage McCoy jardiniere exhibits a diamond quilted pattern with subtle leaves, berries, and bow details. It has a subtle white glaze that is versatile enough to look good in any room.
These early McCoy jaardiniere planters comes in classic green and brown colorways, and feature the iconic leaves and berries patterns. They're a beautiful, Stewart-approved investment.
McCoy might not be the rarest or most valuable stoneware out there, but Martha clearly has an eye for an impactful shade when she sees one, and designers agree the teal hue of her pottery collection makes a great decor accent. The aqua pieces she loves are particularly sought-after, often fetching higher prices than other colors, with glazes ranging from glossy and green-toned to a lighter turquoise, depending on their age.
It's no surprise that America's favorite TV personality is ahead of the curve when it comes to color trends, either. As the craze for sage green subsides, the vibrant, punch shade of Martha's jewel-toned collection feels far more enticing.
'There is nothing more powerful than a jolt of vivid color for true visual impact,' says interior designer Beth McMillan owner of Beth McMillan Interiors. 'It connects the emotions with the atmospheric energy of the visual display and its purpose. The bold teal color that is so reminiscent of the 1950s color palettes completely sets the tone for a vintage earthenware vibe that's so very "cottage chic".'
Combined with the dynamic movement of the jardinières rippling wavy patterns, Beth says that Martha's aqua McCoy collection makes the perfect statement anywhere in the home.
'They appear to almost come to life and jump from the shelves,' she says. 'I think Martha probably collects the McCoy pieces because of the rarity of that true teal color and that each piece could be a stand-alone item just as easily as being grouped together. These collector’s pieces need nothing more than just a perch or shelf to be seen, viewed, and enjoyed.'
Get the look
You don't need to be an avid McCoy collector to borrow from Martha's book. A few teal planters or pitchers can be a great way to add a pop of color. Shop affordable homeware brands like Wayfair and Target for vivid aquamarine shades and pair them with neutrals or earthy colors to really make a statement. They work especially well against a backdrop of soft mauve paint or raw plaster wall, just as Martha has styled them in her own home.
This teal vase from ABC Home features the more delicate jadeite-tone that Martha loves to use in her home.
With its deep teal tone, this small planter would sit perfectly on Martha's shelves alongside her McCoy collection.
Martha loves decorating with plants, and this glazed urn will pair beautifully with some greenery, whether indoors or out.
