A Balm For The Senses: The Venetian Pantry

I recently travelled to London to teach a natural dye workshop at photographer Kristin Peres’s stunning studio. While there, I was invited to speak on the Spilling Tea podcast from The Venetian Pantry. Fresh off the plane, I made my way to Hackney, the neighbourhood that has it all! Full of charm, Victorian terraces, independent shops, boutiques, so many restaurants, and cafes. I could have spent an entire week slowly making my way through the quant offerings of Stoke Newington.

I first discovered Martina through her Instagram feed & had the pleasure of meeting her in person at a recent workshop in London. Her beautiful home, recipes, and warm personality instantly drew me in. Martina is the creative force behind The Venetian Pantry, where she seamlessly blends her Italian heritage with her passion for design. Through various platforms; Instagram, Substack & the Podcast, Martina offers a glimpse into her world, sharing her appreciation for good design & all things genuine. Her Instagram feed is a visual feast, capturing the essence of her days, full of natural beauty warmth, and style.

Spilling Tea Over Lunch

When Martina invited me to join her on ‘Spilling Tea’, I was a little nervous – it was my first time on a podcast! As tea, chats & inspiring women are among my favourite combinations, I graciously accepted.

Martina welcomed me into her beautiful Victorian with a warmth that immediately put me at ease. Her tastefully curated home, a seamless blend of natural materials, antique pieces, soft hues, and a design aesthetic that exuded elegance in every detail.

Martina cooked a delicious roasted celeriac soup, garnished with toasted sage leaves, hazelnut and drizzled with olive oil. We had blue stilton, walnuts and thyme scones followed by spiced honey-poached pears with whipped crème fraîche. The perfect lunch after an early start and morning of travel – grounding, warm and full of heart.

Can I just say when someone invites you into their home and prepares a beautiful meal to share with you, what a gift that is!

The Tea

The conversation flowed as smoothly as the stunning tea Martina had brewed for us. As an avid lover/addict of tea (I had my first cup of coffee last month, I’m sticking with tea!) I was enthralled with the brew. It came from Avantcha, a company dedicated to providing high-quality, ethically sourced leaves.

Knowing that marigold is used as a natural dye, Martina thoughtfully paired our lunch with a blooming tea made from white tea, jasmine flower, and marigold. Each delicate bloom, hand-sewn into a blossoming work of art, unfurled slowly, infusing the tea with a subtle sweetness and a touch of beauty. It felt like a perfect fit for our conversation, exploring the beauty and utility that can be found in a single plant. I am very tempted to save the blooms and see what dye I can extract from the leftover hand-sewn blossoms.

The Podcast: Spilling Tea

Martina’s “Spilling Tea” podcast is a delightful brew of honest conversations and inspiring stories. Each week, Martina invites inspiring guests into her home, sharing a conversation over a beautifully prepared meal. It’s a space where connection and conversation take centre stage.

In this episode, we dove into the world of plant-based colour & I share my journey into natural dyes. This conversation is a gentle introduction to the beautiful world of natural dyes, inviting listeners to dip their toes.

Martina’s warmth makes “Spilling Tea” feel like a chat with an old friend. Her genuine curiosity and relatable nature create a welcoming atmosphere and it was a pleasure to be on the receiving end of this.

Listen To The Episode Here:

Spilling Tea: The secret colours plants hold

Finding Inspiration & Exploring Natural Processes

Martina’s approach to design, food, and community is built on a love for natural, intentional processes. A philosophy that resonates deeply with my work with natural dyes. Just as Martina carefully curates each element in her home and kitchen, natural dyeing requires a similar reverence for nature, tradition, technique and patience.

For more inspiration you can learn about Marina, The Venetian Pantry & Spilling Tea below:

• Follow Martina on Instagram at @thevenetianpantry
• Subscribe to The Venetian Pantry on Substack
• For inspiring conversations, tune into the ‘Spilling Tea‘ Podcast

For my fellow tea lovers, take a look at the beautiful range of loose leaf and blooming teas from Avantcha.

Reconnect To Nature

For those ready to embrace creativity through natural colour, explore my natural dye resources and if you’re ready to go deeper; join the 5-month natural dye masterclass beginning January 2025.

Spending time with Martina reminded me of the power of connection, conversation, intentional spaces and mindful creativity. I’d love to hear from you—do you have a favourite place, recipe, or creative practice that brings you joy? Or maybe there’s a part of natural dyeing that you’re curious to explore? Drop a comment below!

As always, thanks for stopping by & reading. If you’d like to see anything specific on here, let me know below. x Kathryn