Designers are focused on making kitchens and baths more personal than ever. Studio pottery captures that sensibility with handmade pieces meant for every day use.
Studio Pottery London. Photographer: Dusan Todorovic
If you missed the V&A’s exhibition on the subject last year, British studio pottery is essentially the tradition of artisans making pottery, often for daily use, that sits between art and mass-produced ceramics. It emerged in opposition to the commercial pottery that followed the Industrial Revolution and emphasised the maker’s hand and small-scale production. The abundance of pottery studios around the UK speaks to this legacy and are bursting with talented makers—teachers and students alike. Their functional ceramics can be sourced to support heritage craft whilst adding tangible character to a room.
Such is the goal of Clay College in Stoke-on-Trent, which was founded in 2017 to teach diploma students how to make a living as working potters (from crafting to promoting and selling their wares). In addition to their full time programme, Clay College offers evening and weekend courses along with masterclasses taught by the likes of Adam Frew (whose tall lidded jars make the loveliest spaghetti canisters), Clive Bowen, and this spring, Kevin Millward, to name just a few. Be sure to catch a new exhibit on studio pottery tea ware opening 21 Feb and discover the next wave of talent at the graduate show in July.
Studio Pottery London. Photographer: Dusan Todorovic
One of the most celebrated spaces in London, Studio Pottery London, draws its name from this storied practice and is a full circle destination. Designed by potter and interior designer Vesna Aksentijevic of FLINT, it pays homage to a North London pottery studio where she once studied under SPL’s co-founder, Gregory Tingay. “That 1970s studio was simple, architectural, and warm, with a quiet elegance that endured even when covered in clay,” she says. Channeling the same sense of calm in this Belgravia space, Aksentijevic created a retreat that draws potters to classes taught by a roster of experts (like teapot making with Brita James). We naturally have our eye on Matilda (Mattie) Moreton, the studio’s resident tile teacher, but SPL specialises in wheel throwing so you’ll find artisans crafting all manner of things, and commissions are accepted. There’s also a library filled with books on pottery, a gallery space, and a shop with pieces by teachers, members, and local artisans for sale (cue this tissue box cover by member Raykhan Laing).
Crown Works Pottery. Photographers: Adrianna Giakoumis (Still Life); Timothy Soar Photography (Interior)
Across town at Crown Works Pottery in Bethnal Green, founder Giulietta Hextall balances private commissions — she’s worked with Kate Hawkins of The Common Rooom (as have we) and interior designer Rose Uniacke — with overseeing 21 teachers in the studio and curating a guest potter series. “I am really proud of the diversity of methods we offer for our Master classes, all taught by some of the most highly regarded of potters working both in the UK and abroad,” says Hextall. Among them, Ben Davies makes marbled style vessels and Nancy Fuller, who is also a member, makes ash glazed soap dishes and fluted tea cups amongst larger vessels. Many also maintain their own practices, including teacher Ervin Cirikovic, who studied at Clay College and makes reduction-fired stoneware that would elevate a kitchen counter. Another Clay College alumn, teacher Birgit Pohl, crafts delicate porcelain jars that could be used to house cotton balls in a bathroom, while Sunny makes weighty soap dispensers. Crown Works also takes on custom commissions and developed its own line of tableware and store jars made from semi porcelain clay.
The Ceramic Studio
Outside the capital, The Ceramic Studio in Kent, founded by Rani Moss, began offering bespoke services last summer. Their production potter, Lukas, translates client inspiration into single pieces or full sets (think dinnerware, tea service, and beyond). There’s also a wave of talent rotating through their guest potter series (22 makers slated for this year), alongside their in-house tutors. We’re particularly smitten with the vessels created by resident teachers, Peter Black (also a Clay College alum) and Liz O’Dwyer. And we love that TCS offers a functional ware ceramics course, in which studio potter Nadine Sansom teaches students to create practical pieces for daily use—the next one kicks off 2 March.
Crown Works. Photographer: Timothy Soar Photography
All of these studios offer classes, not just for individuals but for company off-sites as well. If ever there was an apropos team-bonding experience for an interior design studio, this would be it! And of course, there are countless pottery studios across the UK. These are just a few, but do check out this comprehensive directory for more.