Interview with Petra Palumbo

Maker Stories / February 04, 2025

An Interview with Petra Palumbo

Drawing inspiration from her Lebanese roots and Scottish home, Petra’s designs are an eclectic fusion of cultures—infused with warmth, personality, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. Whether it's her whimsical Delft tiles or bold tartan-inspired cutleries, her work invites you to embrace pattern in unexpected ways, from statement tiling to the art of joyful layering. But Petra’s vision goes beyond aesthetics. Sustainability and artisanal craft are at the heart of her ethos, ensuring that each piece is thoughtfully created with minimal environmental impact.

In this interview, we dive into Petra’s inspirations, and discuss the thing that make her go "wow".

By Marie Winckler

Your designs are such a beautiful fusion of Lebanese and Scottish influences. How do these two cultures inspire your creative process?

My Lebanese side has really informed my sense of colour, love of pattern, print and geometric design. Scotland, the place I call home, is just so beautiful, I’m always inspired by the rich and dark colours in nature, each season bring it’s own aesthetic that’s completely unique to here.

From playful Delft tiles to the bold Tartan collection, your patterns are wonderfully eclectic. What’s your favourite way to mix and match them?

Tiles are a great way to uplift and enhance a home but it really depends what you want out of them. For example, in a small room you can use pinstripe tiles on the vertical to make the space feel taller and on the horizontal for wider. I love mixing pattern and prints, I think the trick is to have fun and dare to try something different.

Your work prioritises sustainability and craftsmanship. What’s the most rewarding part of creating heirloom pieces with an eco-conscious ethos?

I often think about how some historic Delft tiles from Holland can be traced back to the 16th century, they stand the test of time and quality, we try to emulate that with our products, making sure in timeless in every sense of the word.

If your brand were a colour palette, what would it look like, and why?

An autumnal forest.

What’s a memory or story from your life that inspired one of your designs?

The wild strawberries Delft. I designed it for my husband as his family name is Fraser which comes from the word Fraises in French, they were strawberry pickers from Normandy who came over to England with William the Conquerer so everything at home is strawberry themed.

If you could design a dream collaboration with another maker or brand, who would it be and what would you create together?

My dream would be to collaborate with Pierre Frey.

If you could set a table to embody the spirit of your brand, what would it look like?

There would be lots of foliage or flowers from the garden in bud vases down the centre of the table, my hand painted glassware, patterned plates and lots of colour. I like it to be relaxed but refined.

What advice would you give to someone trying to bring more personality into their home decor?

I would play with accessories, for example nice lampshades as good lighting also creates atmosphere or pretty scatter cushions on the sofa to add a lovely personal touch. I would display things that mean something to you, I think being as authentic as possible brings personality to the home.

What does the idea of 'flâneur' mean to you?

To me, ‘flaneur’ is a wanderer, a voyeur of the city. Someone with impeccable taste who could come across as quite snooty but once you get to know them, they have a wealth of knowledge and fun to be around.

What’s your favourite piece you’ve created, and why does it hold a special place in your heart?

I think our hand painted carafe and tumbler sets because they were the product that launched my brand.

What other Makers make you go “wow” at the moment?

I love makers who innovate with materials and design, who can think outside the box but create something both visually beautiful yet practical. I recently discovered Edgar Jayet who does just that.

Shop

Petra Palumbo's Edit

Alcove Carmin Wall Light - Violaine d'Harcourt

Sold out

Violaine d'Harcourt Alcove Carmin Wall Light - Violaine d'Harcourt

from £275.00

A Guide To Scotland

What does a typical morning at home in Scotland look like for you?

7am wake up, followed by a family breakfast with my girls, I get my eldest dressed and ready for Forest School and out the door by 8.30am. I tend to be at my desk in my studio by 9am.

Which second-hand store is a hidden treasure trove for unique finds?

Circa Botanica: it’s a magical emporium of botanically inspired antiques and treasures for your home and gifts. Stop off there on your way to Beauly.

What’s the best restaurant in your area?

Rocpool in Inverness: delicious, seasonal food with great atmosphere, try the scallops with chorizo or seafood soup, I can't get enough. Must book in advance.

Do you have a favourite local pub you love to visit?

Hootananny in Inverness: For authentic live Scottish ceilidh music, it’s such fun to go there after dinner one evening.

If someone is visiting Scotland for the first time, what’s a must-visit spot.

You cannot pass come to the Highlands without dropping into Campbell’s of Beauly — it’s an iconic shop that offers handmade tweeds, knitwear, clothing and accessories for both men and women.

Is there a secret spot in Scotland that only locals seem to know about?

It’s not a secret but my favourite second hand book shop on this planet is called Leakey’s in Inverness, it’s like stepping into another world.

Discover

Petra Palumbo's Collection

A pink heart shaped ceramic egg cup seen from above on a white background.

Brown egg on a red heart ceramic holder with beige plates and a white napkin in the background.

Outdoor setting with a table set for breakfast, featuring eggs in egg cups on plates with plaid teaspoons, a glass of orange juice, napkins and a vase of tulip flowers.

Eggs in red and pink cups holders on plates with plaid teaspoons on a stone table with a glass of juice and pitcher seen from above.

A red heart shaped ceramic egg cup seen from above on a white background.

Petra Palumbo Heart Egg Cup

£24.40

Petra Palumbo Clover Crystal Tumbler

£27.50

Petra Palumbo Sweet Pea Carafe And Tumbler

£88.00

Decorative silver hand shaped dish with jewelry on a marble surface

Decorative hand shaped silver dish with olives on a textured blue surface with floral elements.

Gold hand-shaped dish with strawberries on a beige background

Gold decorative hand shaped dish holding jewellery on a beige marble surface

Gold hand shaped dish holding two small round soaps on a green marble surface

Petra Palumbo Offering Hands Dish

£112.00

Pink heart-shaped egg holder with chrome silver shelves and white eggs on a white background

Person placing a white egg on the bottom shelf of a pink heart-shaped egg holder with eggs already on the top shelf against a beige floral-patterned wall.

Red heart-shaped egg storage shelves with brown eggs being placed by a hand on a red patterned wall.

Red egg wall storage with two gold metallic shelves holding brown eggs against a patterned wallpaper background.

Pink heart-shaped egg holder with eggs hung on a beige floral patterned wall.

Heart-shaped pink egg holder with six white eggs on a patterned background.

Heart-shaped egg holder with brown eggs in shelves on a white background

Petra Palumbo Heart Egg Wall Holder

£128.00

Set of white napkins with colourful ruffled trims on a white background

Stack of multicolored ruffled fabrics with a white background

Petra Palumbo Ruffle Napkins, Set of 6

£95.00

A green ceramic butter dish with a gold-colored knob on the lid.

Green butter dish with a gold knob on the lid that is off the tray to reveal a yellow stick of butter inside on a table with pastries and flowers in the background.

Decorative items on a table including a teal green butter tray with gold ball lid, orange condiment caddy with gold balls on its lids, a yellow tartan embossed taper candle, hand painted floral glass tumblers, and pink flowers.

Green butter dish open to reveal butter inside with a gold knob on the lid amongst flowers and a hand painted floral glass in the background on a tablescape.

Petra Palumbo Butter Dish