One of my favorite little creative rituals lately has been painting pottery. There is something so calming about sitting down for a few hours, playing with colors, and creating something that you can actually use at home. Ever since Palette & Tartelette opened their new studio at the port of Nice, I have already been there three times: twice with my boyfriend and once with my girlfriends. It is such a lovely and peaceful spot, and every visit felt completely different.
How the place works
Before going, you book your session online for a specific date and time. When you arrive, they give you a short 10 to 15-minute introduction where they explain how the process works, what techniques you can use, and how the paints change once they are fired. They also show color samples, so you can see what each shade will look like after it has been cooked in the kiln. The difference between wet and fired paint is huge, so that part helps a lot.
The studio is filled with tools. There are brushes in every size, stamps, tracing templates that you can paint over to get perfect shapes, sponges, and even inspiration pottery displayed. You can choose from mugs, bowls, plates, trays, or even small vases. Once your piece is finished, they glaze and fire it for you. About a week later, you can return to pick up your final item, shiny and smooth.
The first visit: my rushed mug
The first time I went, I did not plan anything. I just thought, I will go and paint something cute. I picked a mug because I drink a lot of tea and coffee, and I wanted something personal for my mornings.
The session lasts two and a half hours, which sounds like plenty of time, but it goes by so quickly. I ended up rushing at the end and realized that it really helps to come with at least a small idea or inspiration ready.
For this mug, I painted the outside in a soft pink and the inside in a warm chocolate brown. On the outside, I wrote Romanticizing sewing one stitch at a time which felt like such a cute and fitting phrase. The technique I used is when you paint three layers of color and then scrape off the surface to reveal the text underneath. It gives a very delicate and handmade effect that I loved.
I was not completely happy with my handwriting, though. I wrote in lowercase letters, and I think if I had done it in capitals, it would have looked neater and more balanced. Still, it turned out sweet and it was such a cozy and fun first experience.
The second visit: lemon spoon holder
The second time I went with my girlfriends. It was such a fun afternoon. This time I wanted to make something decorative for the kitchen. My friends decided to paint spoon holders, those little trays you use when cooking so your spoon does not touch the counter. I thought it was such a good idea that I joined in.
We all made the same item but each in our own style. I painted mine with lemons and green leaves, very Niçoise style, inspired by the Mediterranean colors. It looked bright and cheerful. I still have not picked it up yet because it is being glazed, but I cannot wait to see how it turns out. It is practical, but it also reminds me of that day with my friends, painting and laughing together.
The third visit: my favorite mug
The third time was my favorite one. By then, I already knew how everything worked, so I felt more relaxed. I did not plan anything. I just went with the idea that I would paint whatever felt right. At first, I thought about making a bowl that we could use for dinner, salad, or popcorn nights. But since I was not entirely happy with my first mug, I decided to make another one, the kind that I would be proud to use every morning.
The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted stripes. I used painter’s tape to create even lines around the mug, then painted the spaces in between with the same deep brown color as my first mug. I love that shade because it feels warm and matches my studio perfectly. Even my new lamp is brown, so I thought they would look beautiful together on my table. Painting the stripes took a long time. You need to paint three full layers, letting each coat dry in between. Once I peeled the tape off, the white stripes looked so clean and satisfying. I painted the handle in brown to match the rest.
To make it a bit more special, I added a cappuccino pattern inside the mug. I found a reference drawing on Pinterest and followed it by hand. At the bottom, I painted three small coffee beans. I think they are my favorite part. They ask everyone to write the date on the bottom so they can track when each piece was made. It stays there permanently after firing, which is sweet because you can always remember when you made it. Although, if it were up to me, I would probably prefer to keep the bottom clean.
Even though the design looks simple, it took me the full two and a half hours. I finished just five minutes before the session ended. It was the most peaceful creative moment I have had in a long time. If you plan to go, I recommend preparing your idea if you are a beginner, but if you have done it before, it is nice to just paint freely and see where it takes you.
It’s a Place to Come Back
What I love most about Palette & Tartelette is that it is not only about pottery. It is about slowing down, being creative, and enjoying a few quiet hours without thinking about anything else. The place is always full of people painting, chatting, and creating. It is one of my favorite things to do in Nice, whether it is a date, an afternoon with friends, or just a solo moment to unwind.
It is quite popular, especially on weekends, so booking in advance is best. If you prefer it quieter, go during the week. Every time I leave, I feel lighter and happier. Now my mugs and plates are not just everyday objects, they are memories from little creative afternoons by the port of Nice.
