One of my most cherished treasures is a pair of Herend cachepots in the Chinese Bouquet pattern, rendered in a delicate raspberry pink. Just look at those pretty little gilded legs! These were a thoughtful gift from dear friends—somehow, they knew that I had a weakness for pink. Today, they grace our mantle at Fox Hall, flanking a beloved English Staffordshire horse at the center. When the peonies and pink mountain laurel are in bloom, I especially enjoy arranging their blossoms in these darling vessels.
There certainly is cachet to cachepots!
When my daughter received a cachepot as a wedding gift, she turned to me with a puzzled look. “A planter?” she asked as she was composing her thank-you note. I told her, “No, it is called a cachepot.” The look on her face was priceless. “A what? Mummy, is that one of your old-school Southern terms? It looks like a planter to me!” Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong—it does hold a plant! But the term is French: cachepot (pronounced cash-poe), translates to “hide a pot”—specifically, a flower pot.
Unlike outdoor planters, a cachepot is designed for indoor display and does not have drainage holes. It's not meant to replace a traditional flowerpot but rather to conceal it, elevating the appearance of the plant or floral arrangement within. A beautiful porcelain cachepot can transform an ordinary houseplant, a clutch of cut flowers, or even seasonal bulbs into a refined decorative accent.
Cachepots are typically sized to suit tabletops, mantles, chests, or consoles. Larger vessels, such as jardinieres or floor planters, tend to reside on the floor and serve a different decorative purpose. The more ornate and gilded the cachepot, the more at home it will feel in a formal setting. Antique and reproduction porcelain cachepots, with their delicate hand-painted motifs and gleaming gold embellishments, are perfect for a living room, dining table, powder room, or mantle piece.
Conversely, simpler or more modern designs crafted from wicker, metal, lacquer, bamboo, or brass, suit informal spaces beautifully such as kitchens, libraries, or sunrooms.
Next time you’re tempted by a grocery store or floral shop orchid, azalea, or a pot of daffodils, slip the plastic pot into a cachepot instead, and you’ll instantly elevate your purchase from utilitarian to charming.
GrandMillennial Design Tips:
Buy in pairs. A matching pair of cachepots creates symmetry and balance, especially on a mantle. Fill them with seasonal flowers, a classic topiary, or a graceful trailing ivy for a timeless appearance.
Play with placement. One long, narrow cachepot centered on a mantle, bookshelf, or dining table can be just as impactful as a pair.
Repurpose your cachepot! Cachepots make lovely vessels for silver flatware at a buffet, a creative candle holder, or even a chic ice bucket for a bottle of wine. Want to serve ice cream at the table in style? Nest the container in a cachepot for an effortlessly elegant presentation.
Coordinate colors: As with any accessory, consider your room’s color scheme and design style. Both the cachepot and the floral contents should harmonize with your space.
A cherished gift. Cachepots make thoughtful gifts for weddings, birthdays, or to a hostess when invited as a houseguest. Their versatility and beauty ensure they’ll be enjoyed for years to come, in any room and any season.
This hand-painted cachepot by Anna Weatherly features delicate pink tulips and echoes the artistic traditions of Hungary. Crafted from fine European porcelain and embellished with 24K gold accents, it measures 7½" in diameter and 6¼" high. It’s available at Scully and Scully on Park Avenue in NYC and is ideal for elegantly dressing up a store-bought plant!
On another note, I am thrilled to be hosting another luncheon on July 20th! The table is almost complete, with only two spaces remaining available. HERE is more detailed information. It was a delightful experience meeting charming subscribers from across the USA last fall. We will have a grand time this July too… I hope that you can attend!
Xx
Holly
P.S. I've partnered with artist Mara Sfara for an exciting giveaway! Click here or the image below to learn how to enter.
