I hope you’re all doing well and September’s arrival has been kind to you. Seriously, where has this year gone? Things have been extremely busy here at Design Sheppard HQ. Work on our utility room has been progressing nicely. The room has been tiled and grouted, the floor has been painted, the new washing machine arrives today and I’m currently trying to sort out storage.
We’ve also just got back from our family holiday to Poland which was wonderful as always. It’s such a beautiful country and I feel so at home there. I’d love to live there one day. Then pretty much as soon as we got back it was our eldest daughter’s first day at school and our youngest’s first day at pre-school. What an emotional roller coaster that was. Who’d be a parent, eh?
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Well, before we jetted off on holiday, the girls stayed over at my parents so me and the Mr had an evening and a morning to ourselves. Convinced that summer would be over by the time we got back from Poland, we decided to have breakfast out in the garden one last time before we have to pack everything away in the shed for winter. This was a perfect opportunity for us to use our new dining set that we were kindly sent by Denby*.
Now I’ve always been aware that Denby is an iconic British pottery, but I wasn’t really clued up on the company’s exceptional history and credentials. I had no idea that Denby has been around since 1809 and that in over 200 years of design and craftsmanship, Denby artisans have developed over 5000 glazes. I wasn’t aware that the clay was sourced from directly behind the pottery in Derbyshire and I did not know that each individual piece is hand turned so no two pieces are ever the same. I also didn’t know that Denby products pass through 25 pairs of hands before being given the Denby seal of approval. It’s no wonder that Denby stoneware is the stuff of legend!
If I’m super honest I have to admit that I’ve always thought of Denby* as a company that produces fancy dinner sets that your parents and grandparents have and keep for best. You know, the ones that only get used once a year, maybe at Christmas? So when I was asked if I’d like to review the new Studio Blue collection I wasn’t sure what to expect and wondered whether I’d find the range a bit too traditional for my more modern and minimal tastes. But when I clicked through to the website to check out the Denby Studio Blue collection* I was really pleasantly surprised.
Studio Blue* is the new hand-crafted range of ceramics that has been carefully created by skilled Denby artisans. It is an informal collection of plates, bowls, platters, mugs and jugs designed with casual dining and laid-back entertaining in mind. This automatically made it more appealing to me as I don’t really like the idea of having a formal dining set. We don’t really have the space for formal dining at our house and I certainly don’t have anywhere to store a second dinner set for more formal occasions.
The Denby Stuido Blue range is inspired by the trend for a natural aesthetic in the home using honest materials. Again this really spoke to me as I’ve fallen hard for the natural materials trend that we are seeing in home interiors at the moment. I’ve been trying to introduce more natural materials into my own home, especially in my living room.
The colours and textures of pebbles and natural stones such as flint, shale and chalk have been the inspiration behind Studio Blue. We have created glazes that evoke the different surfaces found in these minerals, combining them to create a harmonious range.
Nicola Wilson, Senior Designer, Denby
This tactile stoneware collection really captures the essence of Denby’s hand-crafting skills and textural glazes. I really love that each piece is slightly different and that you can mix and match the different shades of blue and grey. All the pieces contrast and complement one another perfectly. They just look so good on the table together. And the fact that the colours vary definitely adds to the laid back feel.
I was also really impressed by the quality, although this didn’t come as a surprise. After all you don’t get to be as iconic as Denby by producing flimsy stoneware. The plates and bowls were lovely and weighty and the mugs felt really sturdy and comfortable to hold. And I just love that speckled glaze.
We had a lovely morning, even though it wasn’t quite as sunny as we’d have liked. And I’m happy to report that since we got back from holiday we still haven’t felt the need to pack away all our outdoor stuff in preparation for winter. It’s still warm enough to dine outside at the moment and there is talk of that elusive Indian Summer which means we may be able to stretch outdoor dining through to October if we’re lucky. Fingers crossed!
If you’d like a quick walk through of Denby products through the ages you can watch this lovely little film.
I’d love to know what your thoughts are on Denby. Do you own any yourself? Would you like to? And do you think we’ll be seeing warmer weather through to October?
I am trying to decide on what to order. I have wanted a Denby set for so long. I like the Studio Blue. Should I go with all cobalt blue plates – or what???
I guess it depend what look you are going for Jane. If you want something grown up and more uniform, maybe opt for all the same colour. But if you want something more casual and playful you could mix and match the colours.
You’ve got to love a set of Denby plates, lovely post Stacey x
Love your styling and I’m a huge Denby fan, one day I’ll invest in a set of my own x
Thanks so much Nicola. Let me know what you go for when you do!
I’d love to own a Denby dinner set and the Regency Green has been on my list of wants for ages. Love your photography Stacey you really show how beautiful this set is :D x
Go for it Maria, you won’t regret it! And thanks so much for your comment about my photography. I have zero confidence when it comes to photography and styling so these lovely comments make me feel so much better about my posts!
I adore blue and this relaxed vibe so its a huge thumbs up from me!
Glad you agree Donna. Blue is my all time favourite colour too!
I have always loved Denby and the blue range is lovely, I am very obsessed with all things blue. I only have a few pieces but those I have I have had for years and they still look new
That’s good to know Nicolette! I’m also obsessed with blue, it’s such a calming colour!
It’s a beautiful range isn’t it! Looks lovely dining alfresco like that too.
Thanks Sam, shame we won;t be doing this for quite some time now that winter is coming!
Stacey this is such a beautiful set from Denby – i am a massive fan of their products and you have styled them so beautifully , the detail on studio blue is sooooo swoon worthy
Thanks Pati, I always dread doing styling as I always compare myself to professional stylists which is just ridiculous
I love a good dining set and I don’t think that you should keep your ‘best’ just for Christmas. Life’s too short to refrain yourself from such a simple little luxury, which is why we always try to jazz up our dinner with nice plates. This would look really nice in our blue dining room, going to have a look!
Totally agree Jenny. If you love it just use it every day and enjoy it!
I can always spot the Denby range and I love that it has such classic designs. This new range is a really lovely colour whilst keeping with the classic Denby style.
That’s great Fiona. I’d never have guessed this was Denby!
I used to think the same! Didn’t know much about them until I visited the pottery studio and then learned so much! Adore their ranges though and my mum has had her set for about 15 years so the quality really holds up!
Oooh I’d love to visit the pottery one day Karen!
Great informal dinning set and some beautiful photos Stacey!
Thanks Lin!
This is the prettiest collection, I absolutely love the speckled effect. Pete had a lot of Denby stuff when we first got together, it’s so hardwearing X
That’s really good to know Lins. Thank you!
I love Denby. Gorgeous colours here. Their products are such good quality. It’s nice to know they’ll last for years too x
I’m looking forward to seeing just how long this set lasts Lucy!
I used to feel the exact same way about Denby until I spotted some in a store recently. A really lovely balance between tradition and lasting but also moderns and stylish! Also your photos are fab!
Thanks Laura, that means a lot. I’m not the best photographer but I’m getting better!
Love love love this range, its so pretty!! Its also fab to have British made items as unfortunately its becoming a rare sight these days :(
The fact that they are British is so lovely, I agree!
Denby is such a classic. Nice to see it used with a contemporary twist. Lovely!
I really had no idea they did such contemporary pieces, but I love them!
I love the colours! the blues are so stylish and timeless! The jug is my fave! The breakfast you served to take the pics looks super scrummy too!
Thanks Rachel. The blues are my favourite too!