Q: What is spongeware and how did you get into it? And how do you use it?

A: I started collecting spongeware years ago — my mom, Reva, collects it, too. I love blue-and-white tableware, and spongeware has always been a favorite.

It’s a beautiful, simple technique of sponging color onto pottery. It started in England in the 19th Century and then came over to the United States. It’s most often found in blue-and-white, though it can be found in green or red, too. But blue-and-white is my favorite combination.

I’m thrilled to introduce our own collection — bowls, mugs, dinner and salad plates, charger, trays and a pitcher. Each piece is decorated by hand so no two pieces are the same. They are meant for everyday use but beautiful enough to be displayed on a shelf. Blue and white is ideal for summer and early fall outdoor entertaining, while the mugs and bowls will be great for heartier winter fare. My favorite — for casual lunches, I put big bunches of freshly-cut delphinium in pitchers as centerpieces.

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