Home DESIGNERS Veronika Švábeníková

Veronika Švábeníková

Designer

Veronika often experiments with colors of glazing, too – instead of using the pre-mixed tints, she combines different kinds of oxides to create a stunning marble-like finish. She never follows a plan and likes to just go with her creative flow, which means she often ends up creating something (like a color combination) she really likes, but can’t repeat it because she wasn’t making notes. This means every vase she makes is a true original.

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MEET THE MAKER

Clay is an excellent medium that marries hands-on sculpture with colour and painting. Learn how these beautiful marble-patterned vases are born under the steady hands of Veronika as we visit her Prague-based studio.

Marble vase small

€ 237

Marble vase small - VI

€ 237

Marble vase small - VII

€ 237

Marble vase small - VIII

€ 237

Marble vase small - II

€ 237

Marble vase small - IV

€ 237

Marble vase small - III

€ 237

Marble vase small - V

€ 237

Marble vase large

€ 366

Marble vase large - III

€ 366

Marble vase large - IV

€ 366

Marble vase large - V

€ 366

Marble vase large - VI

€ 366

Marble vase large - VII

€ 366

Marble vase large - VIII

€ 366

Marble vase large - I

€ 366

Marble vase large - II

€ 366

Grandlife questions:

WHAT WOULD YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHIC TITLE BE?

I never thought about it that way. In fact, I don't know if I would ever create or want to create an autobiography. For one thing, it would probably be a pretty boring read, but more importantly, I'm pretty much an introvert who doesn't like to share personal things with the wider world. I'd be happiest if my work spoke for me.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR SUNDAY AFTERNOONS?

My Sundays are all about relaxing and spending time with my family. I usually cook and bake something more festive and then we head out into the countryside or on a trip somewhere. It's such a quiet, relaxing day where nothing has to happen. The ideal way to end it is with a good coffee and a great book :)

WHAT OR WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY AND WHY?

Lately I feel like inspiration is pouring in, I see new possibilities all around me. For example, la... Read more

Lately I feel like inspiration is pouring in, I see new possibilities all around me. For example, last time we visited a poultry exhibition, which was an interesting experience in itself, because there were several hundred species of hens and other birds with incredibly interesting colours, patterns and textures on their feathers. All those naturally created compositions of individual feathers left a deep impression on me and I have had to keep thinking about where to use them ever since. So let's see what comes of it.

WHAT MUSIC OR BOOKS ARE YOU LISTENING TO/READING THESE DAYS? WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIANS/WRITERS?

I almost don't listen to music, if I have headphones on my ears, either a podcast or an audiobook is playing, As for books, it's completely different there, I read almost anything that comes under my hand. I have countless favourite authors and books I keep coming back to as well. The last book that caught my attention and made me think was The Famous Corpse. Reading it sent chills down my spine and the ending made me think about how far circumstances can drive us and what we are willing to sacrifice in those moments.

WHAT ALBUM OR SONG WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR PERSONAL LIFE OR CREATIVE PROCESS?

As I wrote above, I hardly listen to music, but if I had to choose a recording for this occasion, it would be a recording of the sounds of the forest. With the sounds of nature I can calm down and relax but also concentrate and create.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR WORK/DESIGN, DO ANY PARTICULAR EMOTIONS COME TO MIND?

The emotion that comes to mind when I think about my work is definitely anticipation. For me, it is a never-ending journey that offers new turns and directions and I am on the edge of my seat as to what new things await me.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES?

I have many favourite places, one of them is the Doubrava forest with the Morava river basin near where I grew up and where I always like to return. And in general I love water and rivers. That's why in Prague, where I now live permanently and which has become my beloved home, my favourite places are along the Vltava. The embankments, waterfronts and its banks have so many forms that I enjoy exploring them. One of my favourite places lately is Alf & Bet, a café on Palmovka Street, where they not only have excellent coffee, but also sourdough homemade breads and other pastries. Palmovka is also the neighbourhood where I have my studio and which was love at first sight. I found myself here by accident and I know I want to stay here ever since. I love how a neighbourhood that was better avoided not so long ago is waking up

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL DESTINATION AND WHY?

I love travelling, whether in the Czech Republic or abroad. In fact, my husband and I spend our free time mostly on road trips. We travel for experiences, good food or culture. In the days of kovid, when travel was limited, we would set off on foot from Palmovka along the Vltava River and try to walk as far as possible. It has become a long-term project, which we are continuing, and our goal is to walk along the Elbe to Hamburg. We always complete the section we mark at home and pick up where we left off next time.