When I opened the store six years ago, we began with a roster of 28 makers spanning ceramics, home fragrance, books and magazines. These were makers whose careers I had followed for some time, and for a few, people I had worked with in a previous life.

Since then, that original lineup has naturally shifted. Some makers have left the UK, some have changed careers or gone on to work for larger potteries, no longer practising under their own name. Others have moved into fine art, leaving functional wares behind. Of those original 28, I’m incredibly lucky to still be regularly showing work by 11 of them – with a few more I hope we’ll be able to reintroduce in the not-too-distant future.

From that group, I wanted to share six pieces that I am still as much in awe of today as I was when we first opened back in 2019. A whole other lifetime ago.

 

Sophie Alda | Brushstroke Vases 

Sophie Alda’s Brushstroke Vases are a daily inspiration. Their bold, hand-painted designs paired with crisp, white unglazed porcelain have become a true classic for the store.

One of our most popular vase collections, they’re loved for bold gifting and for bringing lush flashes of perfectly paired colour into people’s homes. Over the years, I’ve loved watching their subtle evolution. Early pieces were painterly, wild and scratchy; over time, the brushwork has become more precise and refined.

I’ve loved every phase – and I enjoy being able to date images by the brushwork alone.

 

Lily Pearmain | Iconic Mugs

The icon that is a mug by South London maker Lily Pearmain.

As I sit here typing, drinking from one of my favourites – straight-sided, black clay, a thinly applied tin white glaze breaking over the surface, and Lily’s signature fingerprints fossilised in the base – I can’t quite comprehend how many different styles Lily has made for us over the years.

From the original poker-straight white mugs, through groggy black and red clays, endless variations of surface decoration, and my personal favourite from the most recent batch, the scored lines – every collection sells out, and every piece feels timeless.

That’s a rare thing to achieve. Lily has absolutely nailed it.

 

Jode Pankhurst | Trinket Dishes

What can I say about the quiet, understated brilliance of Jode Pankhurst’s trinket dishes, other than that they are a must in literally every room of my life.

They bring order and intention to life’s daily clutter: in the bathroom for hair clips and strewn jewellery, by the bed for my nightly wedding ring removal, in the living room with a perpetually half-burnt candle, and in the kitchen as a plate for one, or the pivotal point of a gathering, holding butter, dips, and all the best bits of a long, lingering meal.

Jode’s illustrations continue to bring me joy. Her adaptability with pencil or brush, and her ability to change the feel of a simple, flat object with just a few lines, is remarkable. Long may my collection continue.

 

Anna Jones Ceramics | Syros Mug

These perfect porcelain mugs are a true store staple.

The original grey body with coloured handles – available in a range of six-plus colours – was inspired by the painted houses on the Greek island of Syros. Matte on the outside, the depth of the coloured porcelain contrasts beautifully with the glossy interior, both visually and in the hand.

Over the years, Anna has refined the palette. There are now four handle colours available, and the glorious pink and yellow have become stars of the show, with the mug body now available in these joyful hues too – either with matching or contrasting handles.

A timeless classic that elevates an afternoon into a contemporary high tea in no time at all.

 

 

Dor & Tan | Proper Mug 

For days when tea needs to feel endless.

These epic mugs from Dor & Tan are a firm store fave. Bold, generously sized forms softened with glazes inspired by the North Cornish coast, they’re mugs made for hunkering down – hands wrapped firmly around them – whether you’re weathering a storm or watching another episode of Traitors.

As green in their credentials as the deep hues of their Nori glaze, the collective use reclaimed Cornish clay and fire using green energy. At the core of their family brand is longevity, and they’ve created the perfect mug to become an heirloom for generations of daily use.

Now that’s proper.

 

 

Our Sell-Out Beeswax Candles

A new delivery of these candles is always an absolute joy.

The smell, the richness of colour as you peel back the layers to reveal perfectly protected golden wax – it never gets old. The note that comes with each delivery reads like a family Christmas card, complete with all the important updates.

These candles have been expertly crafted with the utmost care for decades. We only ever stock candles made from 100% UK beeswax – as clean as they come, solid as a rock, and worth their weight in wax. They burn slowly and beautifully, long into the night.

Hand-dipped in Cumbria using the same process Ted and his team have used for years, they’re a testament to doing things properly – and we hope they’ll be dipped for many years to come.