Putting “a little Marion” in your life means treating yourself to a moment suspended between the beautiful, the good and the sparkling.
Discovering your world is as comforting as a good family meal.
With Tilleul-Blanc , Marion has been able to turn her appetite for the pleasure of sharing her recipes into an art of living, a profession.
She came to meet us with the (technically!) slightly crazy idea of co-creating earthenware chopsticks...
...Because ceramics can be imagined in various ways, our artisans immediately accepted the challenge of making this beautiful utensil that Marion had been dreaming of for several years.
On the occasion of the launch of our collection of wands, we asked a few questions to this generous and funny designer.
Marion, can you introduce yourself?
My pleasure !
My name is Marion
I'm between 25 and 60 years old...
I have 5 children, a carrier pigeon husband. These are really the main points. I first studied law to pursue journalism. Ultimately, I have always worked but never had a career. When we returned from our 5 years in China, I professionalized and obtained a CAP in cooking in one year.
We then lived in Charente Maritime.
One day, I launched Tilleul Blanc without imagining that it would become my full-fledged job. And here we are, 6, 7 years later.
More and more customers are ordering the recipes that they will receive in their mailbox. First bet: the distribution method is rather backward. Second bet: among the first 5 recipes released, there was the legendary broccoli salad. Eating raw broccoli… you had to be a little lit, all the same!
How did you come up with the idea of creating ceramic chopsticks?
Quite simply because I couldn't find non-disposable and elegant chopsticks.
We eat Asian food easily and setting pretty tables is an institution in our family.
Finally, I stopped looking, I imagined and drew what I wanted. I proposed this project to ceramists I knew but each explained to me the difficulty of realizing this seemingly simple idea. You have to be wary of appearances...
Until the day I talked to Stéphane about it and he told me “we’re going to do it for you!” Beginning of the story.
It will then take almost two years to refine and arrive at completed baguettes.
“I couldn’t find non-disposable, stylish chopsticks.”
During your meetings with Christophe & Raphaëlle, what did you discover about the profession of ceramist?
I knew a little about this profession. I have already had partnerships with ceramists. This time, I was going to discover more than a profession, I was going to touch first-hand how much the soul of the ceramist is deposited on his land.
With Raphaëlle, I found enthusiasm, joy! I don't remember hearing her complain about the difficulty. On the other hand, she was looking for methods to constantly improve the quality of our baguettes. A taste for a job well done!
With Christophe…ah la la Christophe. He's the master of the place! He is the guardian of the molds, the colors and above all the know-how.
He has his delicacy at his fingertips and when we talked, I felt his artistic sensitivity, his aesthetics, but his build betrays him.
His broad shoulders are also to better support the generations that preceded him. When I first entered his workshop and saw the piles of baskets, the piles of dishes, plates etc. I told myself that he was there, in the middle of this heavy, solid ceramic and object of all respects.
The first time he spoke to me: “so, it’s for you that I’m making baguettes! If someone had told me one day… I wouldn’t have believed it”
“I owe him the audacity to have accepted, the nerve to take the Maison Pichon Uzes tradition to something new. To something new!”
How important is it to you to surround yourself with artisanal pieces?
I am fascinated by the intelligence of hands. Surrounding myself with artisanal pieces has something comforting, between a caress and a hand on the shoulder.
“Surrounding myself with artisanal pieces has something comforting, between a caress and a hand on the shoulder.”
The beautiful, useful object that brings joy to your daily life...?
My favorite object of all is a piece of furniture: the table.
What are your essentials to add a little “exceptional” to your family tables?
The misappropriation of objects! I invite anything and everything to my tables.
A piece of leather, wood, salt!, a mortar, shells, old crockery or camping quarters, candles, greenery placed on the plate, on a napkin, tied around the bread. I always have jugs, a plastic water bottle: what a horror!
On the other hand, they are not exceptional. I'm not comfortable when they're too busy or flashy. It's just a little extra in the ordinary. I use what I have on hand.
You mean I just sit and do nothing? That’s already good!!!If I want to please you, what should I cook for you?
Your favorite in our collection?
Trash ! For me, she is the identity of Maison Pichon.
There's no squirming.
Thank you Marion for this joyful look that you infuse on our
daily. While waiting to co-create with you again, we will follow you in words and images on your Instagram account.
Photo credit: @tilleul-blanc and @C apucine Lamoitte
