Of course it goes without saying that I love their pure colour palette, rich glaze and organic feel, but the real reason I love Brickett Davda mugs is their ability to transform routine into ritual.
I will probably drink coffee every morning for the rest of my life. That’s a routine.
But sipping it from my beautifully simple handmade ceramic mug which never fails to feel like a fresh pleasure? That’s a ritual.
In the video below, I talk about all of the things that I love about these special mugs.
We all create rituals which hold meaning and value for us. Family life is rich with favoured ways of doing ‘our thing.’ Rituals can be solitary treats or shared pleasures, they can be big or small, but they bring with them a joy which strengthens each time they are repeated.
Interior designer Rita Konig, who is a fan of Brickett Davda ceramics, reveals the ritual she shares with her husband: every morning he has tea in the large mug and she has coffee in the small mug. Rita describes the size of the Brickett Davda mugs as ‘spot on.’
Yet, being the perfect size is only one of the reasons I reach for my pretty Blossom medium mug every morning. So what else is it about this mug which makes me want to have it, to hold it and to forsake all others?
Here, Jo Davda founder of Brickett Davda, dissects the design details which make the medium-sized mug such a joy to use and reveals the compassionate reason this bestselling piece was originally created.
Why was this mug originally created?
The medium-sized mug was specifically designed for Maggie’s Centers which provide support for those with cancer. These centres are built by acclaimed architects and have beautiful, calm and inviting interiors.
Our connection to Maggie’s started over 20 years ago when we designed and made some lighting for the Dundee Centre, designed by the architect Frank Gehry in 2003.
What was the design brief of this mug?
The design brief was for a cup which was light, easily held, but still sufficiently sized to hold a good amount of comforting tea or coffee, when shared around Maggie Centre’s kitchen tables.
Today, our medium cups and tableware are now in around ten of their centres, with a different colour for each centre.
How does the mug’s design enhance user enjoyment?
Firstly, the shape and size of the cup fits well in the hand. Secondly, it is also light and fine enough to feel good on the mouth too. These tactile elements, plus the added colour, enhances the daily ritual of drinking tea or coffee.
What is the essence of handmade?
The essence of handmade is about quality and it’s about having an affinity with your product. I think you only get that through care and attention to the smallest detail and of course the biggest ingredient is time.
How long does each mug take to make?
The medium-sized mug is 9.5 cm in diameter and 8 cm in height. The cup is slip cast (liquid clay) in moulds. From start to finish, it takes about two weeks to complete the cup. This includes drying, plus four days in the kilns, over two firings. We can make approximately 200 cups a month.
How is the colour applied?
The colours are made from Brickett Davda recipes of coloured pigment combinations mixed into slip and are hand painted onto each piece. Finally, a clear glaze applied over the top.
What inspires your colour palette?
We have 30 different colours and my favourite changes every day! Playing with the combinations of colours can completely consume me. I’m endlessly inspired by colour from everything I see, from the pavement to a flower or to a (typically!) grey English sky. We don’t have a particular bestselling colour. It really changes from person to person.
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