Megan's Top 5 Best Ceramics

John Lewis’ ANYDAY range is their most affordable yet and it’s perfect for kitting out your place if you don’t have the resources to collect pieces from independent brands. 

This small vase is crafted from earthenware and finished with a slight sheen thanks to its glaze. I like that part of the vase is soft and smooth, while the bottom is textured and bears the marks of its maker. It’s also a nice excuse to try the dried flower trend as this vase isn’t watertight.

While lockdown was difficult in many ways, one of the positive things to come out of it has been all of the new independent brands started by those who turned to creativity in these long periods of isolation. Many of these brilliant brands have been female-founded and one of my favourites for ceramic tableware is Vaiselle, dreamed up by French designer Léa Zana. 

Vaiselle’s style is playful and pastel with designs sketched in Zana’s London studio and brought to life by hand with traditional techniques in Spain. This serving plate is perfect for making a statement in the centre of your table thanks to its flower shape and pretty pattern.

This pretty jug is a crowd-pleaser. The perfect size for supermarket blooms, you can plonk it in the middle of your table, on a dresser or perch it on a windowsill and it’ll just brighten the place right up. I love its delicate lilac colour but even more than that, I’m drawn to its splatter design which originated in Italy’s Puglia.

This piece has been handmade by an artisan who hails from that same town and whose family have been potters for 18 generations which is amazing. Everything from Hot Pottery benefits from a beautiful finish that just exudes quality and the colours are always spot on.

If you thought that cake stands were always twee and kitsch, then this design-lead piece is about to change your mind. This utterly cool serving platter comes from Hood Ceramics, founded by Libby who lives and works in east London.

I love Libby’s minimalist style and that she manages to captivate attention without bright colours or a maximalist aesthetic. This piece has been completely handcrafted from biscuit clay and has a beautiful lasting glaze which gives it a tactile sheen. I would suggest serving treats on this platter, but honestly, I think it’s too beautiful.

Pastel pink alongside soft yellow is one of my favourite colour combinations. It makes me think of sherbet lemons and fizzy sweets, which I love. I’ve had my eye on this sculptural candle holder for a while because of its interesting shape. 

While I usually love to over-clutter surfaces with trinkets, this piece could stand on its own and make a statement on a shelf or dresser. It has been handmade from stoneware and has a shiny glaze, which I think accentuates its colours. I’m also a fan of Tel Aviv-based brand ABS, not only because its pieces look great, but because they’re inspired by art history which is something I’d love to learn more about.