3 min readIf one motif has taken the dish-enthusiast community by storm, it’s the humble cabbage. Ever since Bordallo Pinheiro launched its now-iconic couve pieces in 1844, stylish decorators have been snapping them up, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Today, these charming leafy greens are appearing in some of the most beautiful spaces we’ve ever seen—and we’re intrigued by how antique collectors and design experts are tastefully making cabbage decor work. After all, a theme this bold and specific can easily veer into gimmicky territory if it’s not done right.
Luckily, the designers, stylists, and decorators embracing the look know exactly how to strike the right balance, and they’ve spilled all their styling secrets to us. Whether in dish form or on subtle accents, here’s how to incorporate whimsical cabbage decor as part of your personal style at home.
Add as an Accent
Not that the beautiful, glossy antique case piece pictured above needs anything to make it shine a bit brighter, but Frank J. Webb of design firm White Webb was eager to create more of a moment on this wall, which is why he incorporated the cabbage dish duo.
"This vignette is in a kitchen that leads to the alfresco dining area of a 19th-century Pasadena, California, house," he notes. "The cabinet, which is of the same period as the house, was our starting point, and these verdant plates just seemed right to reflect an evergreen California garden."
Fill a Hutch
The great thing about amassing a collection of pieces that have been around for centuries is the sheer abundance. Designer Katie Rosenfeld, who custom-designed this china hutch out of reclaimed wood, says that the colorful wares that live within it were the work of her client, who spent much of the pandemic on Etsy and eBay finding an array of cabbage plates in colors that brought warmth to the space.
Adorn the Mantel
Decorator and self-proclaimed tablescaper Suzanne Zingg admits that she's always been an avid fan of cabbageware as decor, specifically the Portuguese cabbageware "for its craftsmanship, history, and unmistakable character," she explains. Here, in her living room, she used her own cabbage-shaped dishes to add a touch of color to the otherwise neutral space.
"They were actually an afterthought in this vignette," she admits. "I had styled the mantel with a few majolica pieces, but felt like it could use some additional color and interest. I love what the plates added, and it's nice having pieces of my beloved collection out where I can enjoy them."
Display the Entire Set
More often than not, the best pieces of decor are vintage, and this is certainly the case when it comes to designer Philip Mitchell's majolica and cabbageware collections, which he inherited from his mother.
"As a maximalist, I love the thrill of the hunt—especially when it comes to vintage finds that add character and history to our home," he explains. "My mother adored majolica and cabbageware, and when I inherited her collection, I began thoughtfully adding to it over the years."
What's more, Mitchell doesn't just stow them away in a cabinet and bring them out for dinner parties; he keeps them out at all times. "I especially enjoy incorporating our collection into the kitchen hutch. The timeless style brings a sense of freshness to the wood tones in the room and adds vibrant color to the white cabinetry."
Draw the Eye Upward
In some rooms, the cabbage motifs take center stage, but in others, they simply create a touch of visual interest on a blank canvas that needs it. In this galley kitchen by Ashley Gilbreath, the cabbage falls into the latter camp.
"This spot needed something intriguing to draw your eye to the center of the room, yet small in scale to flank the window, and the green tones and earthy pattern felt like a natural fit to echo the landscape as well as the green tones in the wood," she explains.
Create an Art Installation
Designer James Farmer, who often uses green as a neutral, didn't just decorate this empty wall space with a set of plates and call it a day. Instead, he arranged them in such a way that they could replace a more traditional piece of art.
"I love the ribbing of the cabbage pattern, and that somewhat inspired this plate spray," he explains. "Incorporating a bracket and a large oyster platter brought all my favorite things together! Sometimes I call these arrangements a constellation with a sun and planets orbiting."
