I’m noticing that people are increasingly wanting products and materials that are not just bought off the shelf. They don’t want something that everybody else has. They want their home to have an original and personalised quality to it.

My clients are interested in processes that incorporate a unique story. People enjoy the opportunity to influence the product or the outcome. I think this type of process is attractive to people because it creates layers of meaning and connection to their new home. They feel involved at a deeper level.

I think this is part of the reason why handmade ceramics are making a come back for residential and commercial design. I saw this emerging trend in a couple of different architecture practices during my recent visit to London and Stockholm as part of the Dulux DIAlogue on Tour Award.

These architects are using ceramic panels for external surfaces. Eric Parry created dramatic hand painted designs for external panels. At the Holborne Museum external ceramic panels are used to create an imposing frontage. Victoria and Albert Museum are using hand painted ceramics for roof design features.

I met with some young product designers, who were also architects. They were making light fittings out of ceramics. It’s all part of the movement toward handmade and local.

These architects are trying to use local people and use traditional, established businesses who were dealing in ceramics. They are getting them to work a bit differently to make products for a specific project.

This started me thinking that I should be looking around for someone who does that in Australia. I am especially keen to meet people working in Western Australia.

So far I’ve only discovered Melbourne-based company called Anchor Ceramics who do handmade ceramics, mainly in the form of tiles. They do small batches, and can custom-make things for you. They have all sorts of wonderful glazes.

Anchor also do a series of tiles. They’re like sculptures and they’re made as ornaments. They’re really interesting, beautiful shapes.

I’ve found a pendant light which is a long, tubular pendant made in segments with a light fitting underneath it.

We’ve specified this light for the Roof Garden House in Floreat because it fits so well with everything else in the house. It’s a matte black glazed pendant. It’s quite robust, which works with this particular house where everything is about being raw.

The light fitting made for this project will be one of the first to be produced because they’re only going to go in to production with it in March.

Products like these satisfy my clients’ desire to be involved with how a final product might look. They are involved in the creation of a handmade product. They won’t see other products like these anywhere else.

This is part of an interest in the retro 1970’s period. However what is being produced is so much more refined than the products and material of that time.

Something so many of us forget is that the very beautiful Sydney Opera House is covered in ceramic tiles. Each tile can be sponsored by individuals who love this fantastic building.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the handmade ceramic light in the Roof Garden House. I think it will fit perfectly. I’ll certainly be looking for ways to use these handmade ceramic pieces in the future.