What is a soliflore?
The soliflore is a vase whose refined design allows the flower it contains to be enhanced. Its origins date back to Antiquity. The Greeks and Romans already used vases to highlight a single flower or a small floral arrangement.
In Japan, the soliflore finds a special place in the ancestral art of ikebana, or “the art of making flowers live”. More than a simple floral arrangement, ikebana is a meditative discipline that highlights the harmony between man and nature, simplicity and elegance. The soliflore is often used to highlight a single flower or a branch, symbolizing the essence of natural beauty.
The vases, often made of ceramic or bamboo, are designed to be discreet, leaving plenty of room for the flower to express its purity and unique character.
In Europe, the soliflore has adorned large homes since the classical era. However, it was during the 19th century that this vase really took off and became a decorative object in its own right. At this time, Art Nouveau and Art Deco popularized again the idea of highlighting the natural beauty of a single flower, and glass artisans began to create vases specially designed for this use.
What type of soliflore should I choose?
Originally, the soliflore was part of a tradition of refinement and minimalism, where floral art became a means of aesthetic expression. It is therefore sober and refined. Over time, however, we see creative variations appear, to the point that it becomes a decorative object in its own right.
Transparent or colored, the glass soliflore seduces with its delicacy. This classic model benefits from a classic chic look and it catches the light nicely. It is therefore particularly elegant on a windowsill or on a piece of furniture exposed to beautiful natural light.
The ceramic soliflore is an elegant alternative to the glass model. This traditional model is extremely versatile: it decorates the bathroom shelf as well as the console in the entrance or the coffee table in the living room. English porcelain or more contemporary ceramic: it all depends on the look of your interior. In the neo-industrial or contemporary interior, we opt for mineral variations: cement, concrete or travertine.
Popular in organic decoration or in ethnic chic interiors, the wooden soliflore is as stunning solo as it is in a mix and match with a mineral model. It is generally reserved for dried flowers, unless it has a glass tube to accommodate a fresh flower in water.
The soliflore is traditionally a small vase, which can fit into the smallest spaces. And there is an even more compact variant: the wall model, ideal in a very small entrance.
The soliflore works perfectly alone. To decorate a console or to create a centerpiece, you can also have fun collecting them – or go for an XXL model.
The soliflore comes in a very large format – comparable to a floor vase. The great tip: add an LED garland to create a plant and light decoration.
How to integrate the soliflore into the decor?
Discreet, but full of imagination, the soliflore is an effective accessory to give character to your interior.
In a country or “granny chic” decoration, we love the large bottle-style soliflore or demijohn, which offers a beautiful balance between rustic spirit and refinement. More imposing than the traditional model, this type of soliflore makes a pretty table centerpiece.
Small and discreet, the soliflore invites itself into the bedroom. It is placed on the bedside table or on a diverted element – like this chair which creates a vintage and very “holiday home” atmosphere.
Cubic design and acidulous colors: the soliflore brings a refined finishing touch to an Eighties decor. For a 100% 80s spirit, we associate it with the chrome decor, by placing it for example on the metal and glass coffee table.
Feel like going back to basics? Bet on pottery. In terracotta to bring a touch of authenticity to a neo-ethnic decor or in an antique version in a Regencycore style interior: it hits the mark every time.
It’s not always easy to decorate the niche or enhance the bookcase. The soliflore is then your perfect ally, especially since it is available in mini format. And even in XS version, it knows how to be bold: what if you dared to try the animal pattern?
Christmas tree or Halloween pumpkin: the single-flower vase is one of the essentials for creating a truly refined seasonal decoration. Don’t hesitate to choose colored glass, and accessorize it with an LED garland that will highlight it at nightfall.