Timeless Vessels: Elevating your Space with Antique Planters

Showcase, Don’t Store

Too often, exceptional pieces end up packed away — admired but unused. Incorporating antique vessels into your planting strategy gives them a functional role while preserving their timeless beauty. Their materials, finishes, and silhouettes add depth and character to interiors, especially in historic homes and garden rooms. At Joseph Stannard Antiques and Design, pieces like these are displayed prominently in the carriage house showrooms, where craftsmanship and history are celebrated.

Selecting the Right Container

Many antique pans, serving dishes, and enamelware pieces are already watertight, making them ideal for planting directly. Their depth and shape often mirror modern planters, but with far more visual interest. If you’re working with wood, welded metal, or porous ceramics, use a plastic liner or nursery pot to protect the container and retain moisture. If drainage is needed, small rocks or broken pieces of a clay pot can be used on the bottom.

As shown in the photos above, find an appropriate plastic liner, plant directly into the plastic container, and then use moss or stones to help cover the mechanics.

Low-Maintenance Plant Pairings

To keep the focus on the container, choose plants that are easy to care for and visually complementary:

• Succulents: Compact, sculptural, and well-suited to shallow containers.

• Trailing Vines: Pothos or philodendron add movement without overwhelming the form.

• Orchids: Elegant and upright, orchids offer striking blooms with minimal soil needs, making them ideal for showcasing taller or more refined vessels.

  
  

These varieties require minimal upkeep and allow the antique container to remain the visual anchor.

Foraged Accents for a Natural Finish

Enhance your planter with materials gathered from your own property. The diverse landscapes of New England provide a rich variety of natural accents like twigs, stones, and moss that can fill gaps, add texture, and create a cohesive, organic look. These additions help integrate the arrangement into its environment and reinforce the sense of intentional design.

Wilton Armetale Bowl, Vintage Waterbury Brass Company Pail, and Antique Brass Pan, shown above.*

Surface Protection

If placing your planter on a wooden table or shelf, always use a saucer or tray underneath. Even watertight containers can release moisture over time. A protective layer — whether a vintage plate, glass coaster, or marble tile — ensures your furniture stays safe while complementing the overall aesthetic. If the bottom of the container is not smooth, placing felt pads underneath can prevent scratches and further protect your surfaces. Taking these precautions helps preserve the finish and structural integrity of your valuable furniture, safeguarding its beauty for years to come.

Creating a Cohesive Look

To achieve a cohesive look, consider the color palette of your plants and containers. Choose plants that harmonize with the hues of the antique vessels. For example, a vibrant green succulent can pop against a muted brass pail. Alternatively, a delicate orchid can complement a porcelain dish with intricate patterns. This attention to detail enhances the overall aesthetic and creates a pleasing visual experience.

In Conclusion

Antique containers hold a unique charm that bridges history and nature, offering a timeless way to bring greenery into your home. At Joseph Stannard Antiques and Design, we honor these vintage and antique vessels by repurposing them as planters, allowing their craftsmanship and stories to live on in everyday enjoyment. It's a celebration of heritage and sustainability, creating dialogue between past and present.

Our carriage house showrooms in Norfolk, CT, feature a carefully curated collection of these containers, each selected for its unique form, character, and provenance. Here, collectors and design enthusiasts can find inspiration and exceptional pieces that can elevate plant displays into thoughtful, evocative arrangements. Whether you’re seeking a statement planter or a subtle accent, Joseph Stannard Antiques and Design offers vessels that honor tradition while inviting everyday delight.

If you are feeling anxious about doing the planting yourself, bring the container to a local florist or garden center, and they will be happy to help.