Studio Levien

Studio Levien Studio Levien is a product design company based in Bruton, Somerset

Next Saturday I am going to the funeral of David Queensberry, my ex-professor and ex-partner and one of the most importa...
01/09/2026

Next Saturday I am going to the funeral of David Queensberry, my ex-professor and ex-partner and one of the most important people in my life.

I’m reflecting on some of our collaborations and the Trend tableware range for Rosenthal Thomas is the most successful by far. David pitched the idea that we should start by looking at what people are eating, rather than working down the conventional list of items. Pasta was becoming trendy in the early 80s and we made some pasta and photographed it in some existing tableware. We were encouraged to propose some designs. My wife/partner Patricia Stainton suggested the fine relief pattern and I worked on the shapes, including one of the first pasta plates.

The project gathered momentum and has gone on to become one of the most successful modern tableware ranges of the last 40 years.

David’s creative approach to getting projects inspires me to this day.

I like the idea that Studio Levien has nothing to prove, but everything to share. Millions of people around the world u...
28/08/2026

I like the idea that Studio Levien has nothing to prove, but everything to share. Millions of people around the world use our designs every day without knowing who designed them – actually, most not thinking that they have been designed.

After decades of designing, our work really is embedded in everyday life.

Makes me want to get on and imbed a few more!

Tomatoes anyone? This year’s crop have loved the summer heat. Every year we try out new varieties, the skin of the dar...
25/08/2026

Tomatoes anyone? This year’s crop have loved the summer heat. Every year we try out new varieties, the skin of the dark ones is a bit tough. I would admit to being a bit of a purist. For me, tomatoes are red. Having said that, the green ones were for an Ottolenghi recipe, Tomato Party in Plenty, my favourite of his cook books.

https://thecafesucrefarine.com/ottolenghis-tomato-party-couscous-salad/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ottolenghi-SIMPLE-Yotam/dp/1785031163/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_2/258-9975050-5187217?pd_rd_w=h3C4v&content-id=amzn1.sym.ec630614-3f9e-4b7f-ba9a-fe89f8e4113f&pf_rd_p=ec630614-3f9e-4b7f-ba9a-fe89f8e4113f&pf_rd_r=YCMWMXSECSW8T2S6N0GC&pd_rd_wg=r0uia&pd_rd_r=6a5fde08-c5b1-4654-a2ff-b0a41b790750&pd_rd_i=1785031163&psc=1

20/08/2026

We got a special visit from a Hummingbird Hawk-Moth in our kitchen the other day! Even better, it allowed us to get this really good footage of it. They are normally only found around the south of England but I suspect they got further this year because of the summer heatwaves. We could even hear the humming of its wings and the curling up of its proboscis after consuming the nectar is truly amazing. If you want to learn more about them, have a look at this Guardian article:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/30/hummingbird-hawk-moth-sightings-migrating-uk

Did you know that the cracked earth of this summer’s drought is actually a mathematical pattern? Cracked (excuse the pu...
07/08/2026

Did you know that the cracked earth of this summer’s drought is actually a mathematical pattern? Cracked (excuse the pun) by Ukranian mathematician Georgy Voronoy in the 1800s, Voronoi patterns happen when points expand outward at the exact same speed until they bump into each other, forming distinct cells.

You can see them not just in dried mud, but giraffes, leaves, soap bubbles and dragonfly wings. The Voronoi pattern on a dragonfly’s wings creates an incredibly strong, lightweight structure that lets the dragonfly fly with immense agility.

They’ve been inspirational to architects and designers alike. In fact, a few years ago, some bloke called Robin Levien and his friend Tristam Carfrae made a bowl inspired by a dragonfly’s wings which went on to be in the collection of the V&A! Just saying…. 😉

After 4 years as captain of the Jolly Floppers skittles team here in Somerset (a “Flopper” is all 9 pins down with one b...
05/08/2026

After 4 years as captain of the Jolly Floppers skittles team here in Somerset (a “Flopper” is all 9 pins down with one ball by the way) we have finally won the Summer League! We needed 7 points and got 8 ½! We are ecstatic 😊



David Queensberry, who died last week at the age of 96 was one of the most important people in my life.He took me on as ...
29/07/2026

David Queensberry, who died last week at the age of 96 was one of the most important people in my life.

He took me on as a student in the Ceramic department at the RCA in 1973.

He employed me as a Designer at Queensberry Hunt shortly after I graduated and I became a partner in Queensberry Hunt Levien in the 1980s.

He was supportive, kind, generous, amusing and very creative.
I follow in his footsteps and am so grateful to have known him and for all that I learnt from him.

It’s that time of the year again when we start getting interestingly shaped vegetables. Sharing for your general amusem...
21/07/2026

It’s that time of the year again when we start getting interestingly shaped vegetables. Sharing for your general amusement – possibly the world’s most unusually shaped Aubergine….(or is it Egg Plant)? Let’s hope it tastes as good as it looks!

17/07/2026

I was fascinated to read that Porcelain has finally made it to the car manufacturing world! Bugatti have taken inspiration from a white vase which they commissioned from modernist designer Enzo Mari in the 1990s and created their new Mistral Blanc Éternal covered with porcelain accents such as speaker grilles and armrests.

Porcelain is my favourite form of ceramic, and although most porcelain tableware is robust, practical and for restaurants I can understand that is also has a “high end” cache. Having said that, I am struggling to think of a material less appropriate than porcelain for use in motor cars!

You can read the whole article here:

https://www.dezeen.com/2026/07/07/bugatti-porcelain-clad-sports-car-enzo-mari-vase/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Dezeen%20Debate%20969&utm_content=Dezeen%20Debate%20969+CID_52937f8ab0befcd7886d47ba52fba008&utm_source=Dezeen%20Mail&utm_term=Join%20the%20debate

I am fascinated by our relationship with nature. The problem is, we don’t accept that we are part of nature. Occasiona...
15/07/2026

I am fascinated by our relationship with nature. The problem is, we don’t accept that we are part of nature. Occasionally something captures this situation in a fresh way.

At the weekend, I was digging up some Ratte Potatoes and came across this one which feels to me like a metaphor for our relationship with nature.

The interpretation is up to you, but for me the metal staple is severely limiting the future of the potato. Having said that the staple has saved the potato from being eaten!

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