Cloches are Ringing Our Bells!

November 10, 2014

When you hear the word cloche what do you imagine? If you’re a fashionista you’re picturing the iconic bell-shaped hat, like this Eric Javits “Lally” cloche at Bloomingdale’s.

When you hear the word cloche what do you imagine? If you’re a fashionista you’re picturing the iconic bell-shaped hat, like this Eric Javits "Lally" cloche at Bloomingdale’s.

Photo Courtesy of bloomingdales.com/buy/eric-javits-cloches

If you’re a gardener you’re thinking of miniature greenhouses to protect young plants in your garden in the spring.

Photo Courtesy of americangardenhistory.blogspot.com.201203beautiful-glass-cloche.html

And if you’re an interior design maven you’re visualizing a pretty, clear glass table accessory with something beautiful underneath.

Photo Courtesy of apairandasparedity.com

Cloche is the word for bell in French, and it describes the much-loved shape of all those popular items. When I was at the High Point Market in North Carolina, a huge furnishings trade show, I spotted dozens of cloches in all sizes. Like so many classic styles bell jars tend to come and go, and right now they are making a comeback. I’m not surprised.

Photo Courtesy of cozybliss.com

Cloches area great accessory for a cocktail table, dining room table, a living room or hallway chest or a kitchen island in place of a bowl of fruit. Sometimes Igroup two or three of the same size or different sizes. You can change out what’s underneath them for the season or just keep some faux greens underneath them all the time.

Photos Courtesy of internationalvisual.wordpress.com

Right now ’m seeing a lot of shiny green, faux succulents under bell jars. Greenery is a traditional look for cloches which date back at least to the 1600s when glass bell jars were first mentioned in gardening essays. The clear glass vessels were used to cover seedlings in the spring to hold in heat and moisture and provide shelter against strong winds and hungry deer, birds and insects.

Photo Courtesy of designedworldbyld.blogspot.com

Photo Courtesy of everythingelze.com

I prefer my cloches indoors where I can appreciate their fragile beauty and elegance and have fun choosing new elements to put underneath them. Hmmmm, maybe I’ll find some cute little pumpkins to display for Thanksgiving!