From Teacups to Canvas: How Tearooms Inspire My Work
- Tracey Tran
- Aug 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 26
"Frail cups of china,
And the tea, steaming, fragrant,
Drifting from room to room
In the quiet house.
I do not know where you are—
Only that you will come,
And I shall place the cup in your hand."
- "A Cup of Tea" by Amy Lowell (1919, public domain)
Amy Lowell’s words capture so beautifully what I also find in tea: a sense of quiet presence, of pause, and of gentle connection. Tea has become one of my favourite drinks ever since I swapped my nightly glass of wine for a teacup. It’s become my way of unwinding, bringing calm, relaxation, and a chance to refocus after a busy day. I’ve only visited two tearooms in Sydney so far, and both of them were beautiful and elegant.
What I love most about tearooms is their charm: the gentle clink of teacups, the floral wallpaper, the sense of stepping into a slower, more thoughtful world. They feel comforting, and that atmosphere has been a big inspiration for my Teatime illustration series.
But tearooms are more than just beautiful spaces. They hold a fascinating history that stretches across continents and centuries, shaped by shifting societies, cultural rituals, and the timeless human need to pause and connect. While working on my Teatime No.05 artwork, I found myself diving deeper into the story of tearooms and tea-drinking culture. I thought it would be wonderful to share some of that history alongside my artwork.
To truly appreciate their enduring appeal, let’s take a step back and explore where tearooms began, and how they’ve grown into the beloved spaces we enjoy today.
How Tea Transformed into a Social Ritual
Tea has been sipped for thousands of years, beginning in ancient China where it was used for medicinal purposes before becoming a daily ritual. Pressed into bricks, it was brewed as a refreshing beverage and eventually made its way into tea houses across Chinese cities, bringing the drink from elite society to everyday life. By the 6th century, tea had travelled to Japan via the Silk Roads, inspiring the minimalist and spiritual Japanese tea ceremony.
Over time, tea became a symbol of culture and creativity, appearing in art and poetry across Asia. In Japan during the 14th and 15th centuries, tea evolved into a refined aesthetic practice. Eventually, it made its way to Europe. Tea was introduced to Britain in the 1660s, initially as a luxury for the wealthy. But it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that tea became a common drink and public tea rooms began to take shape.
From Afternoon Craving to Cultural Icon: The Victorian Tea Room
The tradition of afternoon tea is often credited to Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. As improvements in lighting technology pushed dinner later into the evening, long gaps between meals became common—yet snacking was not considered proper at court. To bridge the hunger pangs, the Duchess began requesting tea and light biscuits in the afternoon to “hold her over.”
By the mid-19th century, this private ritual evolved into a fashionable social custom among the upper classes, and soon after, it spread to the growing middle class. What began in the drawing rooms of the elite eventually expanded into more public venues.
The rise of urbanisation and department stores brought with it the emergence of dedicated tea rooms, spaces where women (and eventually men) could gather for refreshments and conversation without a male escort. In an era defined by strict social rules, this was quietly revolutionary.
Victorian tea rooms offered a respectable, alcohol-free environment where women could socialise independently—often for the first time. Many of these establishments were also owned or staffed by women, aligning with the broader women’s movement and creating new opportunities for work outside the home.
Tearoom Aesthetic
Traditionally, tea room’s interiors were adorned with floral wallpaper, lace tablecloths, and delicate china— creating an atmosphere of refined domesticity and comfort. While many modern tea rooms still preserve this romantic, vintage charm, others reinterpret the experience through different lenses: minimalist Japanese aesthetic, rustic countryside chic, or the sleek elegance of Art Deco influences.
Regardless of the era or theme, the décor is more than just background, it sets the tone for the ritual of tea. It invites guests to slow down, and enjoy the moment of calm, celebrates gracious hospitality.
More Than a Drink: Tea as a Lifestyle
Tea rooms are quietly making a comeback. In a world that’s constantly rushing, many are turning back to these gentle spaces—drawn by a renewed appreciation for slow living, vintage charm, and meaningful connection. Whether it’s a refined high tea served in a grand hotel, a cozy corner café offering scones and Earl Grey, or an artist’s sunlit studio with mismatched teacups and a garden view—tea rooms invite us to pause, savour the moment, and connect with others.
Final Sip: My artwork – Tea Room No. 5
Tea rooms are more than just places to sip tea. They’re cultural time capsules, creative sanctuaries, and havens of calm. Whether we’re decorating with their charm in mind, capturing their essence in art, or simply reaching for a comforting cup, tea rooms continue to spark the imagination and soothe the soul.
They’re also the heart behind my Teatime collection. This is the fifth piece in the series, inspired by the modern English tearoom. Unlike the others, this illustration doesn’t feature floral wallpaper on the back wall. Instead, I’ve tucked the pattern into the shelf display—home to tea jars, teacups, and boxes. The print was inspired by gum flowers, a beloved bloom here in Australia. Their shapes echo teacups and their blossoms the steam of freshly brewed tea. To give it a little Art Deco vibe, I started with a peacock shape—something you often see in Deco patterns—and sketched the pattern inside it.
I also swapped the traditional wallpaper for floral tiles, which I designed based on the shape of jasmine petals giving the room a fresher, more modern twist. The most challenging part? Filling the shelves with an eclectic mix of tea ware and textures without overwhelming the space. But like any good tearoom, it’s all about finding beauty in the details.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. If you’d like to see more of my artwork, you can view my collection here, or follow me on Instagram for updates and new pieces.
Citation:
Lowell, Amy. Pictures of the Floating World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1919.
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