In the Studio with Eleanor Torbati

At Rowen & Wren, we treasure the beauty of handmade pieces designed for everyday living. It’s why we were so drawn to the work of Norfolk-based ceramicist Eleanor Torbati, the wonderfully talented ceramicist behind our new Handmade Speckled Berry Colander – a thoughtful piece that celebrates the season’s small joys. We caught up with Eleanor to learn more about her creative process, her approach to slow living, and the inspiration behind this charming new addition.

Could you tell us a little about your path into pottery and what first drew you to working with stoneware?

My journey into ceramics began during my time at university, where I was studying nursing. I joined a local pottery studio and started attending weekly classes - it offered a welcome pause from the stress of my studies and gave me the freedom to explore something creative at my own pace. Stoneware was the clay used at the studio, and I quickly fell in love with its versatility and strength. It felt like the perfect fit for functional ceramics - I wanted to make pieces that could be part of daily life, rather than something saved for special occasions or kept behind glass.

Most days begin with wedging - preparing the clay, often by reclaiming and rehydrating offcuts from previous work. Once the clay is ready, I throw new pieces on the wheel, usually grouped by the type of clay I’m working with. I use three main stoneware clays: buff, white and speckled. After a morning of throwing and trimming, while the pots are drying, I’ll move on to glazing, packing the kiln, or preparing wholesale orders for dispatch. Some weeks can be especially busy, so staying organised is key. As a one-woman studio, I oversee every step, from preparing the clay to wrapping up the finished piece.

How does the North Norfolk landscape shape your creative process and the forms you make?

The tones and textures of the North Norfolk coast are a huge influence on my work. I’m drawn to its calm, muted palette - the shades of beach stones, sand and cliffs - which I reflect through my use of simple glazes and natural clays. My pieces are made with minimalism and functionality in mind, but they’re also deeply connected to the landscape around me. The idea is to create ceramics that feel grounded and familiar - things that feel at home in the spaces we cherish most.

To me, slow living is about mindfulness in the everyday - savouring a morning coffee, pausing for a walk, or enjoying a quiet moment in the garden. It’s about surrounding ourselves with things that bring joy to those moments - especially the small, seemingly ordinary ones. Through my work, I hope to encourage people to live more intentionally, to focus on quality over quantity, and to reconnect with themselves and their environment. In both life and ceramics, I believe there’s beauty in taking things slowly.

Functionality is something I return to time and again - and often, I’m inspired by the seasons. With berry season arriving in early summer, the idea of gathering produce becomes something mindful and satisfying. I’m an avid forager, and the berry colander felt like a natural extension of that - a simple, practical piece designed to be part of those moments. I’ve recently taken on an allotment, and I can’t wait to put the colander to good use with my own homegrown harvests.

The diamond design was inspired by an old French enamel colander I once found - I loved the uniformity and simplicity of its pattern. On my pieces, the pattern is created using a stencil. Once the bowl has been thrown, trimmed and handled, I apply the stencil and carefully punch each hole by hand. It’s a simple yet striking motif that really suits the shape of the piece.

I hope it’s used in all sorts of ways, but I especially love the idea of it being part of preparing something joyful and a little indulgent - like rinsing a bowlful of berries before making a wonderfully messy Eton mess. It’s the kind of piece I hope people will reach for often - something that becomes part of the rhythm of the kitchen and the rituals of the season.

Discover the Handmade Speckled Berry Colander and savour the simple pleasures of the season. Shop now.