Charlotte Pasha talks to famed tableware brand David Mellor's creative director Corin Mellor, who is David's son.
You may not realise it, but we all come into contact with a David Mellor-designed item almost every day.
Maybe itâs the stainless steel cutlery he designed for NHS hospitals.
Or perhaps it's the modern traffic light, which he helped the government re-design in the 1960s.
Why is Sloane Square the right place for David Mellor?
“When we opened the shop in the 1960s the area was a vibrant mix of artistic entrepreneurs,” says Corin Mellor.
“Elizabeth David and Terence Conran had both set up their shops around the same time as my father.
“People were pushing boundaries and the area was at the epicentre of the new culinary revolution that changed the food habits of the nation.
“Over 50 years the area has gradually refined itself. But it still has an eccentric edge and a love of good food and great design.”
Who shops at David Mellor?
“Regulars include some celebrities, Hollywood stars and top chefs.
“But the best clients are the Chelsea residents who appreciate good design.
“Weâre delighted that we have several generations of the same local families who shop with us.”
How does David Mellor include sustainability in its ethos?
“As well as working hard on our packaging and our own cutlery production processes, we try to design products that will last.
“(That's) longevity both in terms of the quality of manufacture, but also from a visual or stylistic point of view.
“So theyâll still be a pleasure to use 10, 20, even 50 years later!” Corin says.
“Thereâs a great northern expression â âBuy cheap, buy twiceâ â and I think people are waking up to how this applies massively to issues of sustainability.”
How has the brand changed over the last 50 years?
“The original name for the shop was actually David Mellor Ironmonger, as it was inspired by the eclectic ironmonger shops of my fatherâs Sheffield childhood.
“Over the years weâve responded to changing demand within the area and focused more on fine tableware and kitchenware.”
How did David Mellor celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019?
“To celebrate 50 years in Sloane Square, we created a special limited-edition rosewood version of our popular Provençal cutlery.
“Each piece of this collectable 50th anniversary edition was exquisitely handmade in our factory near Sheffield, using sustainably sourced rosewood.”
Which David Mellor project are you most proud of?
“The thing weâre most proud of is probably our Pride cutlery. Aptly named!
“In a funny way, itâs come to symbolise us: a mixture of elegant design and honest craftsmanship, a blend of Sloane Square sophistication and Sheffield industrial heritage.”
David Mellor Design is at 4 Sloane Square. Find out more  from their website.
Read similar stories in the Lifestyle section of our website.
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Or try Full House about King's Road women's tailor's The Deck.
Read the original version of this article in Sloane Square magazine.
Main picture: David Mellor at work.
