What a beautiful Saturday, we spent the day at Illyria Pottery in Oxford. We have wanted to visit the shop to meet Katie and Micah since we discovered Katie’s work and started stocking a few of her pieces, ages ago. When she and Micah invited us to pop-up with The Future Kept in their beautiful store to celebrate their fourth year of being open – we yelled yay! 
Under an arch of autumnal twigs and berries in the window, Katie demonstrated her ceramic skills. Throwing pots and jugs for most of the day and making it look so serene and effortless.
The rain was lightly falling outside, but inside the store was aglow with vintage bulbs, the hypnotising scent of hot chocolate and beautiful live singing by Julia Meijer. Exquisite cupcakes from Barefoot coffee and cake shop (located just across the street), were devoured and heartwarming chatter filled the air.
We met amazing folk from near and far, Illyria’s community of customers were a delight and we got to meet people who had already purchased from our store too. It was lovely to meet locals and visitors to the city. On a little wander of the street, I bought a delicate bouquet of autumn blooms and grasses from Daisies Flower Shop, the most beautiful slice of courgette cake form Barefoot Cafe and a loaf as big as the moon! A few little pieces of Jericho, Oxford to take home and savour after we had to leave (and of course a forever treasure – one of Katie’s stunning ceramic bud vases).
Instore, Micah and Katie have made and styled everything to look so lovely, from hand rusted and concrete tables, to copper light fittings and crate style shelving. A perfect rustic backdrop for the smoothly glazed pieces within Illyria Pottery. 
We were so in awe of Katie’s skills, mesmerising and swift, creating bowls and vases with an enraptured audience!
Our collection fitted so nicely within the space and was well received, Micah and Katie were dream hosts and we had a truly splendid day. Happy fourth birthday Illyria Pottery! xxx
I feel like I visited this beautiful haven with you, what a treat – thank you Jeska.
Hooray! Thanks for joining us Flora :)
wow! amazing!! need to get to oxford!
Yes! We need to get back there too ;)
Hello, I’ve found your blog while hunting for ideas for white painted floors, so apologies as I’m commenting on the wrong item but I was hoping you could tell me the name of the colour you’ve used on the walls in your living room in the article about white painted floors from a couple of years ago. (It’s the room with bay windows, white painted fire surround and leather swivel chair)
It looks like the perfect grey I’m looking for to go with F&B All white painted floors! Thank you!
Hey Catherine,
That would not have been my floor I am afraid, but we used Farrow & Ball ‘All White’ on our office floor. You can see it here – http://lobsterandswan.com/home-office-makeover-styling-the-seasons-september/ Happy Painting! :)
Thanks for the reply. It was the walls actually I was wondering about. I’m trying to find the right pale grey to go with white floors! Thanks anyway.
Oh doh! We have used Dimpse by Farrow & Ball (sense a theme here?!) It is the perfect pale grey in my humble opinion :) http://www.farrow-ball.com/dimpse/paint-colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100277 we used it in our kitchen and living room in this house reveal soon fingers crossed!
Thanks I’ll add that to my millions of tester pots! Thanks so much for your help.
Looks like a complete sensory experience. I have fallen in love with all the black and white/cream stripped bowls!
Aren’t they beauties! :)
Looks like such a lovely event and those pottery photos are BEAUTIFUL! x
Laura | laretour.com