I crossed the border into Tijuana on a mission—not for tacos or textiles, but for a vase. Specifically, one from the elusive Zara Home collection, which is not available to browse in person anywhere in the United States. Granted, my husband’s family is based in San Diego and it’s a quick trip from there, but there’s also something irreplaceable about seeing objects for the home with your own eyes and in person, examining the scale, the glaze, the weight in hand. So, the trip made complete sense to me. In a sea of online thumbnails and lofty product copy, nothing compares to touching a ceramic form, holding it up to the light, and imagining it on your table.
The hunt for a simple, beautiful ceramic led to an unexpected design pilgrimage to Tijuana’s Zara Home.
I’ve been on an obsessive quest to find the perfect plain white vase. Not too glossy, not too matte. A shape that feels storied yet simple. Enter this sculptural ceramic beauty from Zara Home—textured, subtly off-white, and clearly inspired by the timeless silhouettes of Korean moon jars. It comes in two sizes—the smaller is just the right proportion of roundness to taper for a bedside and the larger is perfect for an expansive kitchen island. This is a vase that doesn’t shout, but holds space, literally and visually.
What I love most about a plain white vase is its versatility. It works with a single branch or an extravagant bouquet, in a modern apartment or a rustic kitchen. It never competes—only complements. I’ve styled them with magnolia branches in the South, parrot tulips in New York City, and even foraged weeds in the countryside. No matter what, they always bring a sense of elegance.
This particular vase comes close to perfection. A reminder that even in a hyper-digital world, the hunt is best when it comes to finding the right piece for your home. Sometimes, you have to go all the way to Mexico just to find the right vase.
