When it comes to the art of entertaining and setting a table, there is no one better than Jody Burnham. She introduced me to Astier through Kirby who filled me in on this chic little entertaining secret. Amongst the savvy women, this is a staple in the kitchen. We had a great time playing in Jody’s collection and what better time of year to bring out all the Astier than at the holidays!? I’ll let her explain why we love Astier so….
Why do I love Astier de Villatte pottery? Well, in short, I would like to describe it as “aesthetics on crack”!
In this fast paced world of 24 hour news cycles and instant messaging, there is something so sublime and nostalgic about the beautiful fragile pieces of this old world pottery. Each piece is lovingly handmade out of black terra-cotta clay and most pieces are glazed in transparent white, so that some color from the clay shows through. Multiples of a design feel like family members and not identical twins because of their uniqueness. A tiny bit more of the milky white glaze here, and a pinch more of pottery there, make every piece feel special and artisanal.
I was first introduced to Astier in a friends home. She had been collecting it for a while, and it was an instant love affair. The dishes are simple and elegant.You can dress them up for a formal dinner party, or you could easily use them for a casual get together. In addition, the serving platters and serving pieces are to die for! A simple cheese plate is transformed on a scallop edged platter, candy in a pedestal dish looks divine, and tall curved vases elevate flower arrangements into another world!
Every item is crafted in Paris-what is not to love about that? Their flagship store is housed in a rustic eighteenth-century space on the rue Saint-Honore’, close the the Louvre. You might walk right past it if you do not notice the stunning array of pottery displayed floor to ceiling behind the dark green door. Inside is a treasure trove of their wares, and many of these pieces you can not find anywhere else in the world!
The company is very selective about where they sell, and about their collaborations. (Yet another reason I love it!) They are not drawn to mass produce anything, and their joy and passion for creating signature pieces say multitudes about who they are and the art they represent.
My devotion to collecting Astier has now[wpv-autop][/wpv-autop][wpv-autop] been passed down to my daughters. They, too, have fallen in love with setting a table highlighted with these timeless pieces. We love sharing dishes and vases to make parties special. Now that it is a generational enthusiasm, I’m sure it will be ingrained in family traditions for years to come!