After a lovely day in San Francisco with a bit of chill in the air (you can really tell that fall is here!) it was wonderful to attend a nice party at the end of a work day.
Tonight was very special as I was an honored to meet with Lord Wedgwood (yes- THAT Wedgewood) for a private interview before the lecture and book signing (At Home with Wedgwood by Tricia Foley) in downtown San Francisco at Gumps.
Lord Wedgwood couldn’t have been more charming. Exactly the kind of man you would expect him to be. Well dressed in a thick wool pin stripe suit (I could see that the lining of his jacket coat was bright red- so fabulous!)- A blue and white windowpane shirt and a tie with horses. All topped off with a pink and white polka dot pocket square. His cuff links were Wedgwood (did you have to ask?) as was his ring dating to the 1760’s. (In the photo Lord Wedgwood was inspecting Suzanna’s Wedgwood ring dating which he dated to the 1880’s)
2009 marks the 250th year of Wedgwood- started in 1759.
The iconic tableware company that we all know was started by Josiah Wedgwood with the famous blue and white Jasperware pieces. It is certainly fabulous to see the elevation of Wedgewood over the years- keeping in the home and décor market with designers like Vera Wang, Jasper Conran, Barbara Barry and Martha Stewart. Speaking of evolution- did you know that Charles Darwin was Josiah Wedgwood’s grandson?
Casually chatting with Lord Wedgwood was a wonderful way to end the day just before the start of the party. We talked about drinking tea and how taking time out of the day can be a challenge- but a welcome break at times. I suggested that Wedgewood come up with a sort of travel kit with a lovely tea set! If we see this in stores upcoming- we all know where the idea came from!
The new book is fabulous and I highly suggest rushing out and purchasing it.
What I think is special about the book is that is really shows Wedgwood in so many settings. Lord Wedgwood and I talked about how Wedgwood looked perfect on so many of the pages. Some of the settings are much more formal- and some more relaxed- but it all somehow really works. There are fabulous interiors of:
Barbara Barry, Stephen Drucker, James Huniford, Charlotte Moss, Thomas O’Brien, John Pawson, Suzanne Rheinstein, Carolyne Roehm, Michael Smith, Martha Stewart, Vera Wang and of course Lord Wedgwood.
We chatted about how some people are afraid to use fine china on a daily basis- and how that he thought that it should be used everyday! Hear that everyone? Bring out your favorite china and use it! Don’t just save it for special occasions.
13 comments:
I use fine china everyday (lord knows I have enough of it) and it really makes food taste better! The only non 'fine china' I use are my pasta bowls which came from Ikea LOL -they're just perfect and for $1 who can beat that! So break out grandma's china - it's surprisingly easy to replace if you break any (ebay) and why hold onto it if you won't enjoy it!
Lucky you! The Wedgwood book is one of my absolute favorites of the recent book releases. Love Suzanna's ring, too.
Thank you Grant for your post. I always look forward to reading your blog.
Teatime for me is in the morning and the afternoon.I usually use different china patterns, which I love to collect.
Actually, sometimes I read your blog while I'm having a cup of tea...
Yes!! Fine china and sterling daily. Why not? If you don't treat yourself well, no one else will!!!!
Sandra Jonas
I grew up in Stoke-on-Trent where the original Wedgwood factory was... many of my friends worked there. Stoke-on-Trent is known as The Potteries as the majority of fine bone china was made there and some great factories are still in operation e.g., Royal Doulton, Spode. You can easily spot a person from The Potteries - when at dinner we always pick up the plate to see where it was made ;o)
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post! I really wished I was there to meet you and Lord Wedgwood! Must have been wonderful!
Greet
Grant,
Right here, right now we all need something a little different and a little special. Great book for a Christmas gift and designer reference library as well. You both looked so daper in the snap. Great post!
Thanks,
Bette
So much fun to see you at the book signing Grant! And it was such fun to get a chance to meet Lord Wedgewood. You captured some beautiful shots of the event and book, which I agree is fabulous!!
We use our fine china everyday. My "Lords" want to know when we can use dishes like everyone else...translation, my sons...and then I tell them how worthy they are of the finest, even if the meal is a PB & J, it tastes better eaten off nice china!
Lord Wedgwood is wonderful!
pve
Hello,
Very nice pictures, i use everyday porcelain and china. Makes everything nice, even when the table isn't dressed for a great dinner. We should all enjoy more those little details. It's like my mother has a huge silver set of cutlery, she inherited from her sister, mother and aunt, so we have 36 pieces of every cutlery. So later when i have th eroom, i can give huge dinners :-)
Thanks for sharing
I had no idea that Wedgewood made rings! I am definitely going to be on the look out for them now! Thanks!
I was SO sorry that I was out of town and had to miss this wonderful event. And I'm SO glad you were there to get your usual marvelous pictures and great write-up.
Scot
oh this must have been so much fun!!!! i'm jealous!
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