The Warm Side of Brutalism — Inside the Lowther Collection of Earth-Toned Décor
Soft Brutalism in Context
Brutalism is best known for its strong geometry, functional design, and use of raw materials. In architecture, that often meant concrete and imposing structures. Soft brutalism keeps the same sense of form and honesty, but adapts it for more intimate settings. It replaces harsh industrial surfaces with stoneware, clay, and natural finishes, and brings the scale down to suit living spaces.
This evolution is becoming more common in modern home decor. Interior projects featured by The Shelfist and Livingetc show how large ceramic vases, aged planters, and textured bowls can act as architectural anchors in a room. Placed on plinths, consoles, or low tables, they become part of the structure of a space rather than just decorative objects.
The Lowther Approach
The Lowther Collection takes this approach and applies it to a series of vases, planters, and lighting pieces. Each is made from brown stoneware with a matte glaze, giving a natural and tactile finish. The shapes are simple and functional, with no unnecessary flourishes. Variation in the glaze makes every piece slightly different, which keeps them from feeling uniform and adds to the sense of craftsmanship.
The pieces are designed to work together, but also to sit comfortably alongside other natural materials—timber, linen, raw stone. This makes them adaptable, whether you’re creating a dedicated soft brutalist look or layering them into an existing interior.
Our Collection
Lowther Brown Stone Lattice Lantern
The Lowther lattice lantern is a cylindrical stoneware piece with a repeating diamond cut-out pattern. By day, it’s a sculptural form in warm brown; by night, candlelight filters through the openings, casting soft, geometric shadows. Its sturdy ceramic construction makes it a practical choice for both indoor and sheltered outdoor spaces. Placed beside the Lowther brown ceramic table lamp, it creates a layered lighting effect that adds depth and texture to a room.
Lowther Brown Ceramic Table Lamp
With a solid ceramic base and a natural linen shade, this lamp brings weight and texture to a surface. The brown glaze has subtle tonal variations, adding visual interest without being distracting. The diffused light from the linen shade makes it ideal for softer lighting schemes, especially when paired with the Lowther brown ceramic table vase to balance shape and height on a console or sideboard.
Lowther Brown Ceramic Table Vase
This rounded stoneware vase has a wide opening and a simple silhouette. The matte brown glaze is slightly irregular, making each piece unique. It works well for displaying dried stems, but its form is strong enough to hold its place in a display without any additions. In a soft brutalist home decor arrangement, it pairs naturally with the Lowther amphora planter for a mix of heights and profiles.
Lowther Stoneware Water Pot Planter
One of the most distinctive pieces in the collection, this planter is shaped like a traditional water pot with a wide neck and rounded body. The matte brown finish gives it a grounded, earthy presence. It’s large enough to work as a standalone feature, but it also complements the taller Lowther amphora stoneware planter in grouped arrangements, particularly in open-plan living spaces.
Lowther Compact Amphora Stoneware Planter
This smaller amphora retains the two-handle silhouette of the larger version but is designed for shelves and smaller surfaces. The matte glaze and compact scale make it versatile for tighter spaces, while still carrying the sculptural quality that defines soft brutalist pieces. It cross-styles easily with the Halden compact amphora stoneware planter, offering a subtle colour contrast while keeping a consistent form.
Lowther Amphora Stoneware Planter
The tall amphora is a statement piece with a traditional two-handle shape. The finish is in keeping with the rest of the collection—matte, textured, and warm brown—while the height gives it strong presence. It’s well-suited to corners, entryways, or large shelving units, and works effectively with the compact amphora to create balance in a display.
Lowther Rimmed Stoneware Planter
This low, wide planter has a distinct lip at the opening that frames whatever is placed inside. The form is understated but substantial, and the matte brown glaze ties it to the rest of the Lowther range. It works well with shorter arrangements and pairs naturally with the Lowther water pot planter when you need a mix of low and high forms in the same display.
Lowther Ribbed Stoneware Bowl Planter
The ribbed planter’s gentle vertical detailing adds texture without being overbearing. Its shallow form makes it perfect for tabletop arrangements or moss displays. It’s a good counterpoint to the taller pieces in the collection, and it can be styled alongside the Lowther rimmed planter for a cohesive look that plays with proportion and surface detail.
Why You Should Give Soft Brutalism a Try
Soft brutalism is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about how form, material, and texture shape a space. The Lowther Collection uses this principle to create objects that are both functional and sculptural. By combining vases, planters, and lighting in consistent materials and finishes, it’s easy to build a space that feels balanced, grounded, and intentional.
For those exploring home decor with a focus on texture and structure, the Lowther range offers a way to introduce soft brutalist forms without overwhelming a room. They can stand alone, be layered together, or be integrated with other natural materials for a cohesive, enduring interior.
