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

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I STARTED my day by…

Pallas: Coffee always and at least an hour of antique hunting online. I check the dealers’ new stock all the time to make sure I haven’t missed anything that would be perfect for a client. 

Freya: 30 mins of meditation...juice 1 lemon and 1 orange together! And arrived at the studio by 11am

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

 

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FREYA AND PALLAS COMPLETE THE SENTENCES ABOUT THEIR DAY...

 

 

I STARTED my day by…

Pallas: Coffee always and at least an hour of antique hunting online. I check the dealers’ new stock all the time to make sure I haven’t missed anything that would be perfect for a client. 

Freya: 30 mins of meditation...juice 1 lemon and 1 orange together! And arrived at the studio by 11am

At LUNCH …

Pallas: I fight the urge not to have my first nap of the day. By lunch time I’m always exhausted so I just have to power through.

Freya: ­­a cup of tea.. lots of different teas! I’m on my feet teaching all day so didn't stop for lunch but prefer to eat after anyway and crash out! :)


What GETS ME THROUGH …

Pallas: I really love working directly with my clients. It’s not hard to create something you like yourself. The challenge is to help others find what they want, especially when they don’t know they want it.

Freya: The smiles from all the people that I get to greet opening the studio door! And the feeling of satisfaction when people feel happy as they leave and I feel a sense of enjoyment in what I do.

A DISTRACTION …

Pallas: Clothes, shoes , anything I can wear

 

Freya: Boys…

I FAILED at …

Pallas: Creating a home office. Im not sure I buy all those peaceful Instagram photos of working from home. It’s REALLY hard and I can honestly say I failed, the sofa is just way too close to the desk.


Freya: Maths


A THOUGHT I had

Pallas: How lucky I am to be working with Freya. It’s not every day such a wonderful and talented artist wants to team up with a total pottery newbie 

 

Freya: What’s all this for...



A DREAM PROJECT …

Pallas: Restoring a beautiful old yacht. 

 

Freya: Abroad ...resort...pottery...healing and bliss

TOMORROW...

Pallas: I’m going to the beach! 


Freya: Pottery photoshoot