NO.2 FREYA BRAMBLE CARTER & STUDIO KROKALIA : Up Our Street - 8 Holland Street's neighbours, near and far

FOR OUR SECOND FEATURE, WE SPOKE TO ARTISTS AND FRIENDS FREYA BRAMBLE-CARTER AND STUDIO KROKALIA ABOUT THEIR COLLABORATION…

As we approached their North London studio Pallas waved us down, her face peeping through a car full of ceramics and antiques; a preview of the studio where ceramicist Freya Bramble-Carter and interior designer Pallas (of Studio Krokalia) fuse their creativity.

This collaboration happened organically, beginning when Pallas attended one of Freya’s classes earlier this year. The two became friends and what was some fun after a day’s work lead to Freya allowing Pallas to graffiti all over her ceramics – this is how they jokingly put it. There was no intention or plan behind it, just two creative friends having fun whilst work was paused and the world uneasy post-lockdown. 

Ordinarily, Freya teaches, so it is only in-between that she finds time to throw her own. Her studio is filled with her student’s pottery at varying stages, and amongst this biscuits and hula hoops are also jammed. But more importantly her sculptor fathers’ figurative ceramics are stacked and hidden in every nook; they and he provide a calming presence in the space.

Freya’s classes are daily, so the kettle is always steaming as she only has time to drink tea, from herbal to builders depending on the mood. All the while the numerous kilns heat the room and today the September sun shines through the generous windows – this creates beautiful, sculptural silhouettes as a backdrop to the studio.Whereas Freya begins the day by meditating with hot water and lemon, Pallas has a coffee and starts antique hunting for the various projects she has on the go. Pallas is usually working on site, or in a shared workspace but predominantly her projects have been in Greece which has influenced her style of design; peaceful with colourful forms. Although for interiors Pallas works to the millimetre, she says when working with Freya there is a freedom, which is evident in the lose lines and colourful glazes. As they say, there are no mistakes, just one shape becomes another.

It seems Freya effortlessly throws some pots in the moments she is able, fires them and then Pallas comes in. Pallas starts by photographing the pots then uses an I-pad to sketch over with her markings. Freya is then completely nonplussed and trusting of Pallas to do her thing when she is ready to pick-up a paintbrush. There is a perfect synergy between Freya’s easy-going nature and Pallas’s vibrant confidence.

More than any other time, when work can feel so stressful and the world so serious, Freya and Pallas’ genuine and fun friendship offers them and us some light relief. This is typified by their next collection of pots, all named after different cocktails. We look forward to seeing what’s next UP OUR STREET with Freya Bramble-Carter and Studio Krokalia.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLLIE TOMLINSON

WRITTEN BY ALEX MASTERS