Celebrating Australian Botanicals With Robert Gordon
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
IMAGES: MARCEL AUCAR
Favourite pieces in my home are the ones that have a little history behind them…
…items that have a story connected to them or items that conjure up beautiful memories. Whether it be a handed down china collection from your grandmother’s wedding, painted melamine plates from your children’s kindergarten or a group of coffee cups in your most favourite colour. Our home is are our haven; let’s fill it with items we love.
When I laid eyes on this new collection from Robert Gordon, I knew there had to be a unique story behind it. A multi-generational business that started in a backyard shed known as the Pack Track Pottery has grown over the last 40 years to a fully developed into large production pottery, employing over 30 staff. From supplying wares to Sunday tourists at the St Kilda markets to providing some of the world’s most reputable retailers and restaurants with quality ceramics.
With daughter Kate as Creative Director, this fantastic collection titled ‘Matilda’ was inspired by a childhood spent in antique shops with her parents hunting for inspirational vintage pottery. Our Mum, Barbara, is English, so a lot of our design inspiration comes from her.
“ We grew up in a very creative house where nothing really matched - our crockery was always a mix of antiques and pieces they had made. Matilda is inspired by this eclectic upbringing. It’s really designed to mix and match with what you have at home. And is a nod to our past and the beautiful flora that surrounds us. “
Local Victorian artist Brian Cheung was engaged to create details Australiana illustrations, drawing inspirations from far across the continent. Brian’s work is hand-drawn and beautifully detailed, his work encompasses illustration, painting, photography and we can now enjoy his creations in simple black and white. It’s made from high-quality Bone China. With an in glaze decal - that makes it hospitality grade. Matilda is set to become a classic.
I was gifted watercolour lessons a few years back. Since then, I have been admiring the skill that goes into finely drawn botanicals like these. The detail and precision of the gorgeous illustrations are right up my alley, and on seeing the collection, I knew exactly how I wanted to style a table setting, keep it simple with a nod to gorgeous Australiana.
These plates are the hero of the table, so keeping everything in a classic black, white & green palette was vital. Our black wooden dining table acted as the perfect canvas as I set about creating layers with books, greenery and blocky gingham napkins (used as placemats!) to create a balanced look. I love a good centrepiece, and pulling one together with everyday items and garden foliage is something everyone can do. To achieve this look, I collected my black hardcover novels, piling them at different heights, some on their sides - some laying flat. This variation creates a little more depth and excitement on the table, especially when your vases are the same height. The addition of found greenery shows you don’t always have to have flowers as a centrepiece or focal point of your dining table; look around your garden - grab what’s on hand and make the most of it, I used a collection of eucalyptus and fern fronds. Make sure when you’re doing a table like this you walk around all sides to check the direction and look of your books and fronds. Because it’s all about the details!
I collected some strange little red-stemmed pods from my Mum’s garden; I am not sure of the name of these beauties, so if anyone knows, let me know! I was able to group them with string and set them on each plate. This created such a sweet connection between the centrepiece and the plate by breaking up the black and white with some colour. Black cutlery and simple glasses didn’t take your eyes away from the details and beauty of the plates. What is fabulous about this design is that they are so versatile, classic and easy to mix and match with. Black and white go back with everything so mix it up - get creative.
Shop the Matilda Collection
WITH 40% OFF CODE CHY40
Robert Gordon is generously offering 40% OFF the Matilda collection by using the shopping code CHY40, simply click the links below and add the code at checkout. Happy Shopping!
Large Platter (36cm x24cm) & Small Platter (28.5cm x 20.5cm)
