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August 2, 2024 – Published in Design & Decor Spring-Summer 2024 issue

Pottering about in Attard

Words Jim Dunn

Those who know me will testify that I am an enthusiastic shopper, to say the least. In an age gone by and many moons ago, when my life was in full-time travel, I used to have a nickname: ‘Ship it Dunn’.

Well, I had other nicknames, but let’s leave it at that.

The ‘Ship it Dunn’ label came to me as I travelled with friends and colleagues, many in the media, in my job as a PR in the travel business, and I took the opportunity at the drop of a credit card and shopped all over the globe. I either carried my treasures back on board the aircraft—this was in the age when the airline business actually wanted to be of service to you—or I would say to the merchant in India or Hong Kong or South Africa: “Could you ship it please?” and packets would arrive from all over the place.

So, back to the point. As a shopper, we have to face the sad fact that Malta ain’t the greatest shopping paradise. Of course, there are excellent emporiums. Kenneth Tanti’s Fabulous in Valley Road immediately comes to mind. Stephen Cordina’s gorgeous scent-filled emporium in Valletta is another. Then, there are those stunning household and kitchen shops, also in Valley Road. There’s also Bortex, which I always try to use, and there’s a host of small traditional shops scattered around the island—many of them artisanal, selling herbs and spices and oils. And not forgetting to mention a marvellous small haberdashery in Valletta —if you are ever looking for me, I can always be found there. For those of us looking for the latest watch styles and jewellery, there’s always Frank Zampa and those Valletta gold shops. 

I am sure there are more. Do tell! Come to think of it, the shopping is probably not all that bad after all!

The shop which recently got me very excited is the stunningly attractive relaunch of Malta’s very own and, some say, iconic Villa Bologna Pottery, run by that equally lovely couple, Rowley and Sophie Edwards.

Sophie’s parents are Christopher and Suzanne Sharp, who set up the famous Rug Company to worldwide acclaim some years ago, so there’s no lack of taste and talent in the family.

Sophie and Rowley have taken the old pottery on the edge of the Villa Bologna gardens—established in 1924, with its rock-solid pedigree—and relaunched its classics for today’s interiors market. And I’m in love with the entire range! Pop along to the shop, and have a coffee next door in the cool restaurant with its Italian bistro theme, they’ve also just opened, and you’ll see what I mean.

Pieces at the shop include turquoise lamps inspired by the Dolphin Pond in Villa Bologna’s gardens, the 70s style Pineapple Lamp, the evil eye sailboat lamps, jugs, plates, platters and pasta bowls, egg cups, cups and saucers—there’s a host to choose from for your table or interiors, all hand painted by artisans.

If you can’t make it to the shop, they sell online: www.villabolognapottery.com

Sophie and Rowley were brought up in London and spread their wings working in Rwanda, designing and developing new housing for the locals, but then decided Malta was the place to return to and bring up their children—and recreate one of Malta’s wonderful old traditions!