Cindy Daniel loves to set tables. Whether she’s preparing for a big party or an intimate dinner, she finds peace in the place settings around her as she turns to envision the people who will soon surround her. “So much of what SHED is about is gathering around the table to enjoy the food and company, and I take pleasure in setting the table thinking of the meal and good times to come.” Cindy is the cofounder of SHED, whose philosophy of artisanship, community, and healthy eating transcends beyond its signature dinnerware line. SHED focuses on making four pieces—dinner plate, salad plate, pasta or soup bowl, and mug.
Cindy commissioned sculptor Richard Carter and his tight-knit team in rural California to work with her to develop the line of her dreams. “There’s often a correlation between when you invest in something, how well it’s made, and how long it will last,” she says. “We follow that conscious consumption philosophy of buying for the long term and investing in things that are well-designed and high functioning. I started out more focused on utilitarian cookware but gradually expanded our offerings to focus just as much on beautiful table wares.”
Shape
SHED’s shallow shapes reflect Cindy’s love of low, flat bowls. “I wanted to have a bowl that was gently scooped out. It’s a matter of preference in plating and how food looks on a dish. These bowls are perfect for soup, pasta, or a beautifully composed salad.”
Color
Lightly speckled, the dishes have a soft luster with a feeling of depth. “There’s a bit of warmth that comes through the clay, but the glaze itself is a cool white,” Cindy says, adding that they work nicely with natural materials like baskets, wood, linen, and florals.
Strength
SHED uses strong clay that’s perfect for hand-molding. “It’s really compressed and packed in the molds to give it strength.”
This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Sixtysix with the headline “Cindy Daniel on SHED Dinnerware.” Subscribe today.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Studio Sixtysix
Words by Laura Rote
Photos by Chris Force and courtesy of SHED
Studio Sixtysix is the in-house creative agency to Sixtysix magazine. Studio Sixtysix stories are conceived, produced, and edited by Studio Sixtysix.
