#SpodeDNA - Blue Italian

If you want to know how I got in to Spode, then look no further than the Blue Italian Pattern. If you know me then you know blue and white is my vibe, and to me this design screams classic and elegant, but I love that it works perfectly well in our cosy cottage setting. We use our Spode throughout the year and it takes pride of place on our dresser. It's a wonderful pop of blue amongst the grey and cream of our kitchen and it stands out for all the right reasons.

I love the fact that this gorgeous design has been around for hundreds of years and generations upon generations of people will have been brought up eating their dinners and sipping their tea from tableware adorned with this pattern. The History of Art graduate in me just loves to know that by owning my ever growing collection on Blue Italian, I'm somehow intertwining myself in to it's wonderful history. It's only too obvious how popular this design has been over the year when you step in to most antique shops, you are bound to stumble across a piece of Spode.

Spode was founded in 1770 by Josiah Spode I when he opened the factory in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent. Eight years later he opened his first shop in London after becoming a Freeman in the city and it wasn't long after that, in around 1780 Josiah Spode I developed England's first viable method for producing blue printed earthenware.

Created in 1816, the Blue Italian Pattern is now over 200 years old, yet it still manages to fit in to both traditional and contemporary settings. It comprises of a wonderfully floral chinoiserie boarder, which surrounds the beautiful Italian country scene.

I remember as a child being totally mesmerised by this pattern. I'd try to imagine the story behind the scene and the whole plate would just come to life. I think that's probably why I started my collection several years ago, I have such strong memories of beautiful tableware and that's something I want to be able to pass on to all of those who visit and stay for tea!

Over the years there's been so many variations of this pattern. The famous blue, the deep cranberry and later this week I'll be popping in to Fortnum & Mason for a few bits and bobs and plan on making a trip to see the limited edition Green Italian Pattern. It's wonderfully festive, absolutely perfect for this time of year!

I'd love to know if you have any lovely memories of Spode from your childhood.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Pip

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