Quotidian Companionship: Contemporary Ceramics in Living Spaces

by Karen Whiteley -

9th December 2022

Quotidian Companionship: Contemporary Ceramics in Living Spaces

“I like the way pots enter our lives stealthily, benignly, and exert their quiet influence. As companions, offering beauty, comfort, practical service, sensuous experience all in a modest almost subliminal way. This is the beauty of pottery — that it lives side by side with us not calling for attention, and not provoking self-consciousness. But allowing, as it were by slow release, discoveries of depth and detail.”
— James Burnett Stuart

British potter James Burnett Stuart notes the quiet yet constant influence of ceramics in our living spaces. From the earliest domestic environments, people have lived with clay — its persistent presence revealed through its material resilience. Our daily lives are intricately tied to the material and craft which shape our engagement with quotidian activities: from cupping a mug in our hands, to observing the form and finish of a pot. Ceramics formulate our most intimate spaces and we make sense of our attachment to home through maneuvering around and using these crafted objects. As the wintery nights get longer, we spend more time at home surrounded by the accoutrement of pieces that we have gathered in our private spaces, lending weight to their unimposing presence. Regardless of its origins and stories behind its subtle residence, each piece captures moments in our everyday, intertwined with some memory or emotion that builds into a sense of belonging and comfort. The attention we put into the things and space we live with encapsulates the care invested into our lives and ways of being. This beautiful serene attachment is best captured by unique handcrafted ceramic pieces made to last and inspire.

Fliff Carr: Intimate and Ambient

Elle Decoration January 2021

Stacked and scattered hand rolled lace plates in pale blue and white by Fliff Carr
Fliff Carr’s hand-rolled lace plates for Maud and Mabel
Fliff Carr’s lace printed fine thin plates in wavy undulating forms have a delicateness and softness which adds a touch of subtle complexity to the table in the set of photographs in the January 2021 issue of Elle Decoration magazine. The article spread features works by Tina Marie Bentsen, Fliff Carr and Ditte Blohm.
Dining table set with pale blue lace-patterned plates by Fliff Carr in warm autumnal tones
Spread from Elle Decoration January 2021 issue

Artists at Maud and Mabel: Natural Harmony

Elle Decoration November 2020 

The November 2020 issue of Elle Decoration magazine features a select group of Maud and Mabel artists. The works are casually scattered in a living space, complementing each other and the neutral tones of the rooms to bring a sense of warmth and harmony. The curves of the ceramics and natural hues softening the rigid corners of an interior space. This spread features work from Martin & Dowling, Takashi Endo, Akiko Hirai, Kin Leung, Hannah Blackall Smith, Enriqueta Cepeda, Josephine Cottrell, Kenta Anzai, Louise Egedal, Nobue Ibaraki, Marie Eklund, Mariana Alzamora, Sofie Berg, Abigail Schama and Jack Doherty.

Magazine spread from Elle Decoration showing interior space with black walls, styled with pottery in neutral tonesMagazine spread from Elle Decoration showing interior space styled with pottery in neutral tonesMagazine spread from Elle Decoration showing interior space with beige walls, styled with pottery in neutral tonesMagazine spread from Elle Decoration showing interior space styled with pottery in neutral tones
Spread from Elle Decoration November 2020 issue

Jack Doherty: A Place in the World

Solo exhibition 2012 at the Garden House

In 2012, studio of esteemed ceramicist Jack Doherty held an exhibition titled A Place in the World focusing on presenting his work in-situ of living spaces, reflecting the artist's close personal relationship with ceramics which permeate both his living and working areas.

Jack Doherty pieces by the window sill and on a bed in a turquoise room
Photographs from Jack Doherty’s “Living Space” gallery

Anna Silverton: Smart & Stylish 

Homes & Gardens May 2019

Greyish green and yellow porcelain vase by Anna Silverton
Green-glazed porcelain and yellow porcelain vase by Anna Silverton for Maud and Mabel

The sleek and vibrant porcelain vases by Anna Silverton make for a chic interior, lighting up the space and instilling it with vitality. The bulbous forms reflect a sheen from the smooth porcelain texture, crafted with an attention to the material qualities of ceramics to create simple and versatile pieces to style up any room. Anna Silverton’s vases are featured in the May 2019 issue of Homes & Gardens.

Photograph from Homes & Gardens May 2019 issue

Sophie Cook: Playful Ease

Photoshoot styled by Jennifer Hasam for Living etc UK November 2021

Four porcelain vessels lined in a row, showing Medium dry sage pod, small dry dark grey bullet, medium dry sage/grey bottle and extra large unglazed white pod by Sohpie Cook

Medium dry sage pod, small dry dark grey bullet, medium dry sage/grey bottle and extra large unglazed white pod by Sohpie Cook for Maud and Mabel

Sophie Cook’s pieces are recogniseable for their signature form completed with a delicate neck matched by a spectrum of colours that her pieces come in. The enigmatic form and kaleidoscope of colours characterise her pieces with a sense of playfulness. Interior stylist Jennifer Haslam includes a navy blue Sophie Cook piece in its signature water droplet shape with a thin neck into a fun and sophisticated setting. Placed on a low shelf alongside other ceramic pieces of unconventional forms, Cook’s work breaks up the monotony and rigidity of structured spaces, easing a sense of liveliness into the interior.

Styled interior showing colourful ceramics in playful shapes against a dark turquoise wall
Photograph of interior scene styled by interior stylist Jennifer Haslam (@jenhamstylist)
for Livingetc UK (Photograph: Simon Bevan)

Nobue Ibaraki: Rustic Simplicity

Photoshoot styled by Amy Neason for House Beautiful UK April 2021

Pottery with the effect of metal by Nobue IbarakiEarthenware by Nobue Ibaraki for Maud and Mabel, including a large green pitcher and large ecru oval plate

Nobue Ibaraki’s glazed earthenware pieces evoke antiquated forms and colours — emulating ancient metalware in shape and its colours of rusty brown, oxidised green and stained white. In the scene designed by interior stylist Amy Neason for House Beautiful UK, Ibaraki’s piece sets the tone, placed in a prominent position and clearly visible in the kitchen space, adding to the elegant rustic simplicity of the setting.

Kitchen setting with white chair against brown counter, displaying an array of rustic kitchen ware
Photograph of interior scene styled by interior and prop stylist Amy Neason (@amyneason) 
for House Beautiful UK (@housebeautifuluk) (Photograph: Rachel Whiting)
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