I have been banging the Tat drum, albeit one with limited reverberation, for the new meaning of luxury: a luxury where the people at the beginning of the chain are as well looked after as those enjoying the fruits of their labour at the end. Where a purchase can positively impact both the environment and the community. If a piece of fashion, homeware, or technology does not meet those requirements, then it simply isn’t luxury. Hopefully, one day, expecting those standards won’t even be considered a luxury. For now, however, I can safely say that Feldspar perfectly embodies this ideal.
In 2015, Cath and Jeremy Brown were firmly rooted in their high-flying careers in London. Jeremy was part of the UN, working with fashion brands to build sustainable and ethical supply chains across Africa, while Cath was an architectural designer preparing to go on maternity leave. Their life took a turn when Jeremy indulged in something we all appreciate: scrolling through house listings and daydreaming about more space. His sights were set on Devon, where his family was from, and where you can get significantly more bang for your buck. Armed with a dose of courage—something we could all do with now and then—they made the move.
With the space to breathe and think, they began to reimagine what their life could look like. They bought a pottery wheel, as you do, and crafted a 20-piece dinner set, as you do. Their vision was to create pieces that could sit comfortably alongside the ones they’d grown up with—dinnerware that had seen countless meals and memories and was still in use decades later. Their first product was their now-iconic mug, made of fine bone china with a striking cobalt blue handle, produced by a family pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.
By 2018, they had set up a studio outside their home to support the work being done in Stoke. Both Jeremy and Cath are passionate about preserving the production and craft of slip-casting in the UK—unlike many pottery brands whose large-scale potteries are more showroom than workshop, offering little in the way of skilled employment.
Since then, Feldspar has gone from strength to strength. I remember first spotting their pieces at Alex Eagle’s shop in Soho, then in The Conran Shop, and now I seem to find them everywhere. They’ve stayed true to their distinctive style, resisting the lure of fleeting trends, and in doing so, they’ve built a brand with real substance and longevity.
Most recently, they completed a stunning collaboration with Lucy Williams, creating a beautiful candelabra, and they’ve currently set up a heavenly pop-up at the Corinthia Hotel, running until January 5th. With all this and their hectic lives, I was incredibly grateful to Cath for taking the time to answer our Tête-à-Tat."
What is your favourite smell?
The smell of chimney smoke when you’re outside on a cold day. Or barbecued lamb when you’re on holiday in Greece…either/or, but it seems to always involve a flame.
Favourite restaurant?
Bains des Pâquis in Geneva. It’s the café at the swimming baths on the lake and makes a wonderful breakfast (the Bircher muesli is excellent) and an always delicious ever-changing plat du jour for lunch every day. In the evenings during the winter, you can have a fondue there too (my dream meal) - they make it with crémant. Jeremy used to live in Geneva, so we’ve spent a lot of time there (and go back whenever we can to visit his Dad who still lives there.)
Do you believe in ghosts?
No! Our home is over 500 years old so if we did it would all be very crowded…
If you could talk to one type of animal, what would it be?
Our dog, Bernie, would be an interesting one to talk to. He seems to be mainly interested in squirrels and eating things he shouldn’t, so it would be fun to see if there’s anything else going on in there. Just questions like - ‘why did you eat that entire tray of brownies?’ Or ‘did you need to eat that blue tit whole? Do you regret it?’
Happy Place?
Making a bonfire in the garden with the kids on a crisp, sunny autumn day.
Pet Peeve? (eg mine is people not saying thank you when holding doors open for them)
Oooh where to start… well, we live in the middle of nowhere in Devon and so drive down narrow lanes all the time, and it’s a personal gripe when people don’t reverse for you WHEN THEY’RE BESIDE A PASSING POINT. Come on!
Favourite Day?
Last Sunday was pretty great – we cooked a roast for lunch, drank some daytime wine, watched a movie with the kids and ate brownies and ice cream for tea. Dream day!
Best gift you have ever been given?
Jeremy made me an oak bath bridge for Christmas a few years ago and I use it every day. It is the perfect spot to rest your book away from bubbles and has notches cut into it to hold your (Feldspar) mug of tea and (Feldspar) soap dish. Perfect!
Any good advice? Who gave it to you?
My Dad always says ‘you don’t have to be mad, but it helps’. A little reminder not to take things too seriously. And also to be a little bit mad with your life choices – like moving to the middle of a moor and deciding to make mugs for a living with a tiny baby and no internet. Totally mad!
Favourite tube line?
Ah we so seldom go on the tube anymore now we don’t live in London, but I will always choose the Elizabeth Line over all the others, even if it means extra walking the other side. It’s just so lovely and shiny and new.
What film can you watch over and over without getting bored?
Little Rascals! It is also our most-quoted film.
What song always makes you tap your foot?
Dancing On My Own by Robyn. Impossible not to dance.
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