ADD TEXTURE AND STYLE TO YOUR TABLE
When setting a table there are many things to consider, here we help you add texture and style to your table by selecting the right cutlery. Robert Welch took great care in the application of embellishment; rarely using decoration in design instead preferring to focus on form. However, his silversmithing techniques and the environs he worked in have inspired today’s design team to explore applying texture to the surfaces of cutlery designs.
HONEYBOURNE & SKYE
Honeybourne and Skye are based on a silversmithing technique known as planishing.
When working with silver, to create a smooth finish you have to use specialist hammers with rounded heads to shape the metal. If a silversmith uses too much force with the hammer they create a dimpled effect. Though initially an unwanted side effect, across the centuries this became a desirable and distinctive look, especially as the introduction of machinery made creating a perfectly smooth surface easier and more common. The Arts and Crafts movement frequently employed a roughly planished surface on their pieces as a way of showing the hand of the craftsman at work. This technique has inspired the design team at Robert Welch to create textural cutlery pieces that look both elegant and full of character.
Traditional silversmithing is part of Robert Welch’s legacy and an inspiration for many of the products made today. Robert Welch began his career as a silversmith, studying at Birmingham College of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. He produced some magnificent pieces in silver, but whilst a student he started to consider the potential of design for stainless steel and quickly became a specialist.
The gently dimpled surface of Honeybourne is a simple texture inspired by the silversmithing technique of round headed planishing as used by the Arts and Crafts movement. The classically proportioned handles have a tactile nature that gently fades to the tapering neck or blade and this perfectly complements Honeybourne’s soft shape. They shimmer in the light, evocative of ripples on water, making for an exquisite table setting.
Other techniques and types and shapes of hammer are used in different ways at the workbench and can create a variety of textures and finishes.
The finish on Skye features vertical marks along the handle which enhance the slim and elegant profile of each piece. The deliberately thin neck exaggerates the wide curves of the subtly patterned handle, which then gently fades towards the tapering neck or blade, making the faces smooth for comfortable handling. The beautiful surface reflects the light with a facetted glimmer, creating a statement on the table alongside both formal and casual tableware.
Skye can be bought as a set in its own right or in combination with Iona, a plain pattern of the same shape, allowing you to punctuate the table with texture.
Traditional silversmithing is part of Robert Welch’s legacy and an inspiration for many of the products made today. Robert Welch began his career as a silversmith, studying at Birmingham College of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. He produced some magnificent pieces in silver, but whilst a student he started to consider the potential of design for stainless steel and quickly became a specialist.
HONEYBOURNE & SKYE
Honeybourne and Skye are based on a silversmithing technique known as planishing.
When working with silver, to create a smooth finish you have to use specialist hammers with rounded heads to shape the metal. If a silversmith uses too much force with the hammer they create a dimpled effect. Though initially an unwanted side effect, across the centuries this became a desirable and distinctive look, especially as the introduction of machinery made creating a perfectly smooth surface easier and more common. The Arts and Crafts movement frequently employed a roughly planished surface on their pieces as a way of showing the hand of the craftsman at work. This technique has inspired the design team at Robert Welch to create textural cutlery pieces that look both elegant and full of character.
The gently dimpled surface of Honeybourne is a simple texture inspired by the silversmithing technique of round headed planishing as used by the Arts and Crafts movement. The classically proportioned handles have a tactile nature that gently fades to the tapering neck or blade and this perfectly complements Honeybourne’s soft shape. They shimmer in the light, evocative of ripples on water, making for an exquisite table setting.
Other techniques and types and shapes of hammer are used in different ways at the workbench and can create a variety of textures and finishes.
The finish on Skye features vertical marks along the handle which enhance the slim and elegant profile of each piece. The deliberately thin neck exaggerates the wide curves of the subtly patterned handle, which then gently fades towards the tapering neck or blade, making the faces smooth for comfortable handling. The beautiful surface reflects the light with a facetted glimmer, creating a statement on the table alongside both formal and casual tableware.
Skye can be bought as a set in its own right or in combination with Iona, a plain pattern of the same shape, allowing you to punctuate the table with texture.
HONEYBOURNE & SKYE
Honeybourne and Skye are based on a silversmithing technique known as planishing.
When working with silver, to create a smooth finish you have to use specialist hammers with rounded heads to shape the metal. If a silversmith uses too much force with the hammer they create a dimpled effect. Though initially an unwanted side effect, across the centuries this became a desirable and distinctive look, especially as the introduction of machinery made creating a perfectly smooth surface easier and more common. The Arts and Crafts movement frequently employed a roughly planished surface on their pieces as a way of showing the hand of the craftsman at work. This technique has inspired the design team at Robert Welch to create textural cutlery pieces that look both elegant and full of character.
Traditional silversmithing is part of Robert Welch’s legacy and an inspiration for many of the products made today. Robert Welch began his career as a silversmith, studying at Birmingham College of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. He produced some magnificent pieces in silver, but whilst a student he started to consider the potential of design for stainless steel and quickly became a specialist.
The gently dimpled surface of Honeybourne is a simple texture inspired by the silversmithing technique of round headed planishing as used by the Arts and Crafts movement. The classically proportioned handles have a tactile nature that gently fades to the tapering neck or blade and this perfectly complements Honeybourne’s soft shape. They shimmer in the light, evocative of ripples on water, making for an exquisite table setting.
Other techniques and types and shapes of hammer are used in different ways at the workbench and can create a variety of textures and finishes.
The finish on Skye features vertical marks along the handle which enhance the slim and elegant profile of each piece. The deliberately thin neck exaggerates the wide curves of the subtly patterned handle, which then gently fades towards the tapering neck or blade, making the faces smooth for comfortable handling. The beautiful surface reflects the light with a facetted glimmer, creating a statement on the table alongside both formal and casual tableware.
Skye can be bought as a set in its own right or in combination with Iona, a plain pattern of the same shape, allowing you to punctuate the table with texture.
SANDSTONE & BLOCKLEY SLATE
Sandstone & Blockley Slate are inspired by the natural materials which Robert Welch’s design studio, at the Old Silk Mill in Chipping Campden, was built from, as well as many of the buildings in the towns and villages across the Cotswolds.
Kit DeBretton Gordon, Head of Design at Robert Welch wanted to capture “the beautiful natural qualities of the Sandstone cottages that are all around us in the Cotswolds. I like the way this fine texture provides an interesting and contrasting accent on the table, catching the light and adding a sensory touch in the hand.”
Blockley Slate is inspired by the natural textures of geological material: irregular seams, craggy impressions and weathered stone, Blockley Slate interacts with light on the stainless steel to give a unique lustre.
Both designs can be paired - Sandstone with Arden, and Blockley Bright with Blockley Slate - for a unique and distinctive appearance on the table. The sleek, smooth, mirror effect pieces contrasting next to the textured surfaces.
Building on a reputation for iconic British design, these timeless textures reflect both our story and heritage. They create a statement on the table alongside both formal and casual tableware.
The tactile nature of Sandstone is a unique texture that can be compared to a stippling painterly effect. An organic texture created directly into the production tools by hand which results in a subtle feature that fades gradually at the neck of each piece. The texture is on both the front and back of the handles.
A unique organic inspired texture created directly into the production tools by hand. The texture is on both the front and back of the handles.
SANDSTONE & BLOCKLEY SLATE
Sandstone & Blockley Slate are inspired by the natural materials which Robert Welch’s design studio, at the Old Silk Mill in Chipping Campden, was built from, as well as many of the buildings in the towns and villages across the Cotswolds.
Kit DeBretton Gordon, Head of Design at Robert Welch wanted to capture “the beautiful natural qualities of the Sandstone cottages that are all around us in the Cotswolds. I like the way this fine texture provides an interesting and contrasting accent on the table, catching the light and adding a sensory touch in the hand.”
Blockley Slate is inspired by the natural textures of geological material: irregular seams, craggy impressions and weathered stone, Blockley Slate interacts with light on the stainless steel to give a unique lustre.
Both designs can be paired - Sandstone with Arden, and Blockley Bright with Blockley Slate - for a unique and distinctive appearance on the table. The sleek, smooth, mirror effect pieces contrasting next to the textured surfaces.
"The tactile nature of Sandstone is a unique texture that can be compared to a stippling painterly effect. An organic texture created directly into the production tools by hand which results in a subtle feature that fades gradually at the neck of each piece. The texture is on both the front and back of the handles.
A unique organic inspired texture created directly into the production tools by hand. The texture is on both the front and back of the handles.
Building on a reputation for iconic British design, these timeless textures reflect both our story and heritage. They create a statement on the table alongside both formal and casual tableware.
SANDSTONE & BLOCKLEY SLATE
Sandstone & Blockley Slate are inspired by the natural materials which Robert Welch’s design studio, at the Old Silk Mill in Chipping Campden, was built from, as well as many of the buildings in the towns and villages across the Cotswolds.
Kit DeBretton Gordon, Head of Design at Robert Welch wanted to capture “the beautiful natural qualities of the Sandstone cottages that are all around us in the Cotswolds. I like the way this fine texture provides an interesting and contrasting accent on the table, catching the light and adding a sensory touch in the hand.”
The tactile nature of Sandstone is a unique texture that can be compared to a stippling painterly effect. An organic texture created directly into the production tools by hand which results in a subtle feature that fades gradually at the neck of each piece. The texture is on both the front and back of the handles.
A unique organic inspired texture created directly into the production tools by hand. The texture is on both the front and back of the handles.
Blockley Slate is inspired by the natural textures of geological material: irregular seams, craggy impressions and weathered stone, Blockley Slate interacts with light on the stainless steel to give a unique lustre.
Both designs can be paired - Sandstone with Arden, and Blockley Bright with Blockley Slate - for a unique and distinctive appearance on the table. The sleek, smooth, mirror effect pieces contrasting next to the textured surfaces.
Building on a reputation for iconic British design, these timeless textures reflect both our story and heritage. They create a statement on the table alongside both formal and casual tableware.