NEW BEGINNINGS FOR A HISTORIC MALTESE BRAND

VILLA BOLOGNA IS A HERITAGE BRAND THAT IS SYNONYMOUS WITH THE MALTESE ISLANDS. ESTABLISHED IN 1924 BY THE STRICKLAND FAMILY, IN 2020 SOPHIE AND ROWLEY EDWARDS, A YOUNG COUPLE WITH A LONG HISTORY IN MALTA, TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE POTTERY.

Together they have established a new international audience for their unique collections of table, gift and homeware. This summer the couple open a new restaurant, Villa Bologna Restaurant, next to the pottery shop and workshop, in the village of Attard.

SOPHIE & ROWLEY, TELL US HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH VILLA BOLOGNA POTTERY? WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL TO YOU BOTH?

If you know Malta, you know Villa Bologna Pottery. Most people in Malta have a piece of our pottery in their home. The pottery was established in 1924 but over the past few years had slightly lost its way. We took over the pottery just as lockdown began - which actually allowed us some time to go through all the archives and curate a collection of table, home and giftware that we felt reflected the very best of the design history of Villa Bologna Pottery. Unlike many pottery companies, we still make all our pieces by hand and everything is hand-painted by our team of artists, meaning every item is unique.

HAVE YOU KEPT ALL THE EXISTING DESIGNS OR ARE THERE NEW COLLECTIONS FOR US TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Our Admiral Vases, Glug Glug Jugs, Pineapple and Dolphin Lamps are some of the signature pieces taken from our archives. They are pieces that are instantly recognisable as Villa Bologna Pottery and really show off our design aesthetic. We have also extended and updated designs for our tableware ranges with new patterns such as Stripes, a new Palm Tree design and our most recent launch, the Scalloped collection. We have also added chintz tablecloths and napkins, tablemats and candles and will launch new glassware this summer.

THE SHOP AND WORKSHOP, LOCATED IN THE GROUNDS OF THE VILLA BOLOGNA, ARE VERY SPECIAL. PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS UNIQUE DESTINATI ON?

Villa Bologna is a stunning 18th century villa. Our workshop, pottery and shop are all found in the old stable block. The quiet and picturesque nature of the village of Attard, where we are located, gives the shop and workshop a very calm and serene atmosphere.

People coming to the shop and the new restaurant can see the workshop and all our craftspeople at work and we really encourage people to visit it and to see the many stages that go into the production of a single piece of pottery.

YOU HAVE DECIDED TO OPEN A RESTAURANT NEXT DOOR TO THE SHOP AND POTTERY - WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND THIS AND CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN EXPECT?

We were offered the lease to the restaurant recently and felt it was a wonderful way for us to show off our products in the perfect setting, a family restaurant. Both of us are foodies and we love Italian food so the restaurant will offer Italian dishes for lunch and dinner, as well as coffee and pastries in the morning and a cocktail menu in the evening. There is a cool indoor space and a charming courtyard garden, where you can sit under the scented shade of the citrus trees. Our produce will be locally sourced wherever possible and Maltese and Italian wines will be served.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE LOTS OF PLANS FOR THE POTTERY BOTH HERE IN MALTA AND FURTHER AFIELD. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING FOR VILLA BOLOGNA POTTERY AROUND THE WORLD?

We have recently opened a shop in London, in Holland Park. It's been great to offer our products to UK customers who have loved our unique Maltese style. They all say it’s like having an instant dash of sunshine in their homes. We are thrilled to be featured in magazines all over the world, all talking about Malta as a great design and cultural hotspot in Europe. We have also launched a new website and we now ship to the US and Canada and all over Europe. We love Malta and we are thrilled to be taking one of our best kept secrets to the rest of the world.

www.villabolognapottery.com www.thevillabolognarestaurant.com

Instagram: @villabolognapottery / @thevillabolognarestaurant

WORDS THAMES PARNELL