Meet the Maker - At Home with Polly Fern

In the latest of our Meet the Maker series, we invite you to join us for 'tea' and chat with Polly Fern - ceramicist, illustrator, designer, at her home in Suffolk. Discover Polly's unique painterly style, her favourite local spots and fall in love with her beautiful whippets!  

There’s a touch of Wonderland about the home of Polly Fern, the blousy blooms billowing from statement vases to the teeny-tiny trinkets adorned with her intricate illustrations. It's as if there's a bottle of 'Drink Me' that works its magic on the contrasting scale of Polly's work, much of it delicate and 'miniature' alongside bolder strokes of colour and objet. From lampshades to cushions, wallpaper to personalised dog bowls, Polly's playful illustrative style transforms every nook of her studio and home. Vintage inspired yet thoroughly modern in its fresh spontaneity. Delightfully handmade and consciously crafted. 

Filling the senses with whimsy and warmth - Polly greeted us with a lavish Victoria sponge followed by the pitter-patter of her ever-present whippets, Edgar and Cedric. Let us open the door to Polly's home of wonder...

Polly, can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to your art? 

I studied illustration at university, where I was eager to explore drawing and storytelling through objects rather than just on paper.

This led me to create ceramics. I established my own studio upon graduating, where I started off freelancing in illustration for magazines, whilst developing my ceramic practice. My first ceramic commission was for the MET Museum in New York to create a collection of miniature Greek vase-inspired brooches. I started my own online shop whilst studying, and once I was happy with my ceramics, I eventually introduced small collections. I still, to this day, create small collections of my Romantic Vases and platters that are released in my online shop and peppered throughout the year. I have grown organically over the past ten years, introducing new handmade items. When I came to decorate my home, I couldn’t find a wallpaper I knew that I would love for many years, so I decided to design my own, which turned out to be my best seller - 'Diamond Tulip'. My collection has now grown to lampshades, handmade paper products, cushions, tiles, and my next launch is some handmade birchwood trays… coming soon! I love collaborating with makers and companies and exploring ways to create special objects using my romantic style.

"I live in my Bobbie skirt, and the shade of olive and blue is one of the most pleasing colour combinations to exist."

We were privileged to come to your beautiful home and studio. Can you describe your style and inspiration? 

I loved hosting you!! I would say my style is quite traditional, but also playful. I try to avoid any trends and just collect pieces that I instantly have a connection with or that tell an interesting story. I am particularly drawn to antique oil paintings, always with a primitive style. I collect ceramics, as well as creating them - these pieces inform some of the decoration in my Romantic Vase and Platter collections. I love a piece of Canaryware or lustreware in an interior - for me, ceramics are like the icing on the cake! I like to pepper antique pieces alongside my own work in my studio. When I restored the building, I tried to use reclaimed materials, which took forever to source, but I’m so glad I did, as that lived-in, familiar feeling makes me feel very at ease in a space. 

My dogs are another inspiration! I adore whippets, their strong character, and find it quite amusing how dismissive they can be of people sometimes.Their boundless energy, but also how they can sleep all day, not to mention their beautiful, elegant shape, which I will never tire of drawing.

Polly's exquisite miniatures, every single brushstroke unique on each piece and lots of whippet references!  

What is your typical day?

I start the day by walking my two whippets over the meadow close to our house and into town, where my studio is. It’s only a ten-minute walk and the 'boys' love to have a poke about by the river. My studio is a 17th-century building in the market town of Bungay, Suffolk. It has a showroom where I have all of my products and ceramics, and a hallway that links to my ceramic studio. The layout of the rooms runs in a circle, so I am flowing from one room to another throughout most days and depending on what project I’m working on! Edgar and Cedric have a basket in each room for a change of scenery! We will have a wander through town and lunch on the castle Bailey before we head back home in the evening - usually through the churchyard. My studio is like our home from home!

Where are your favourite local spots? 

We are so lucky in Bungay as there are so many amazing independent businesses, one being Earsham Street Deli, where they sell an array of delights! Which is dangerous as it's so close to the studio. We also have a great place for coffee called Etude Coffee at The Silo, which is situated in a converted grain silo. I love Black Dog Deli in Halesworth - could happily sit in there all day! Tore Schotte Antiques in Southwold is always full of treasures, and I can never cross the threshold without leaving with an antique in hand!

 

What is your clothing style? And what did you love about the JT pieces that you wore? 

I love mixing vintage with new garments, and have quite the collection of dresses. My favourite JT pieces are the Irish linen stripes! But I also dress quite practically some days and sometimes it's a jumpsuit - it really depends on my mood and what I’m working on, and if I'm getting dirty making ceramics!

 

What does British Style mean to you? 

I think British style is quite effortless, truly original and at its best when focusing on British-made fabrics and garments made to last a lifetime. Justine's clothes are true to my values.

Quintessential British Style with a thoroughly modern twist! We loved the mix of fabrics and references found in Polly's home, from Welsh blanket cushions, striped ticking, to Polly's floral furnishings. Our Liberty prints and striped linens nestled perfectly into the surroundings. 

Discover Polly Fern on her instagram @pollyfern and via her website pollyfern.com 

Shop ceramics at shop.pollyfern.com

Polly’s studio, Cork Brick, in Bungay Suffolk is open by appointment.

And finally...thank you Cedric and Edgar for letting us into your home! 

Photography credit - Jannine Newman with thanks.