Crocks, bowls, & bakeware add beauty and function to my kitchen. French pottery is more than its simple material. There is a story behind every piece.

There is something about a delicious gratin dauphinoise bubbling over a vintage oval Alsatian terrine. Or a family favorite served on a graceful, elongated oval serving platter with deep wells to hold all of the sauce. Nothing better than your "go-to" olive oil held in an old bottle next to the stove, reminding you of fond memories of a past trip to Provence. An object is often worth more than its material form might suggest. It can capture family traditions, a personal memory, or a favorite moment of time and place. Old French pottery is one such thing that I treasure. I search for simple, everyday earthenware at the brocantes and cherish those items given to me by a loved one. While I am not a collector for the sake of collecting, I do have a mild obsession (is there such a thing?) for ceramic crocks, bowls, and casserole dishes. I have my favorite shapes and colors. I like to mix and match but do prefer a neutral color palette. Plus, I love a fair amount of patina but no large chips or deep cracks. I want the piece to be beautiful and useful. I adore simple things that people have used and cherished for a very long time. French pottery's perfection lies in its imperfections. There are so many stories to tell. This pair of small spice crocks can be purchased here.  I'm trying to remember the first piece of French pottery I acquired. I think it was the café au lait bol that I received from my aunt on my first trip to Strasbourg in the 1970s. There was something about drinking my tea in the morning from a sturdy bowl that was easy to grip with its salt-glazed exterior. The thick walls kept my tea warm. It was not a fancy cup. It was not a beautiful cup. But it felt good in the hand and oh so fricken French. It was clear I was attached to the object and thus, I was given said bowl to bring home with me. When I returned to France years later, I began searching for similar bowls and graduated to hunting for particular mustard jars and cream-colored crocks. Never underestimate the versatility of a good crock anywhere in your home. You'll find even the smallest ones incredibility useful. I have an addiction to small crocks with a handle. They look like something to drink a good cider out of - frankly, why not - but its true purpose was to store rillette or pâté. They can hold anything you need in the pantry, bath, or art studio. I add them to my apéro table filled with pickles or dips and they play off nicely with a rustic cheese board. They are the perfect sturdy container for a potted herb on the kitchen table or in the garden. In southern France, pottery jars of all sizes were used to store duck or goose. The meat would be preserved with the fat in a "confit" pot.  Prior to modern-day refrigeration, the earthen pots were stored in cellars with dirt floors. The confit pot would be partially buried in the ground, hence, no glaze on the bottom of the pot. I use a small one with a lid to hold my duck fat near the stove ready to use when I sauté potatoes. This one will be in Le Shop next week. I think I'm going to give her wood top a bit of a sanding tomorrow. Cherished French Pottery found in Le Shop Click on the photo for more details Shop the collection here Pottery making is well suited to the French. Like cheese and wine production, it is a blend of chemistry, geography, artisan, and luck. France's terroir is ideal. Its clay-rich soil and centuries of production have created beautiful and useful pieces for the home and garden. Collectively, rustic French pottery is referred to by several names: Poterie en Grès (sandstone), Terre-Cuit (cooked earth), Berrichon (salt-glazed). But each region has its own style and story. In Normandy, you find sandstone clay that gives its pottery the characteristic rich brown color. Provençal pottery in the south of France has a very different feel from its northern counterpart. Absorbing influences from across the Mediterranean, its warm glazes and familiar rustic charm evoke lavender-scented fields and endless sunshine. For heavy terrines with deep rich colors and iconic decoration, les poteries d'Alsace is where you look. Set one small crock on your kitchen counter and you are whisked away to southwest France. Purchase this little lidded beauty here. In my previous life, I had lots of "fancy" dishes that only came out to celebrate the big holidays. The wedding china never saw the light of day unless there were guests coming for a special occasion. This time, I'm determined to create a home that celebrates everyday life with the beautiful things I own. Fortunately, sturdy French pottery makes that very easy to do. A growing value placed on handmade, quality objects means that artists can continue their pottery work and pass techniques to the next generation. It means that for years to come we can purchase old and new earthenware, infuse it with our own stories, and add a touch of French style to our homes.   Drink from a bowl this weekend. À bientôt, Karen 🇫🇷