91 Extending the Invitation with Kathyrn Duryea, founder of Year & Day

The way people entertain at home has completely shifted. As consumers look for opportunities to design their ideal morning coffee ritual or movie night in, they’re investing in more items that make a personal connection more attainable. Founder, Kathyrn Duryea is betting on it. She started tableware company, Year & Day, after 10 years working in ecommerce and brand marketing. Year & Day offers complete table sets of ceramic plates, bowls, and flatware. By focusing on functionality and a direct-to-consumer model, the startup encourages customers to focus on what and who is around the table.

On this episode, Kathryn and Stephan chop it up over family heirlooms and a love of entertaining at home. They dive into the “playground of industrial design” — spoons, knives, and forks (3:16), the technical nuances of glazes (8:08), and the Gardiner Museum (9:29). Kathyrn designed all Year & Day plates, flatware, and glazes herself, and partnered with artisans in Portugal. She reveals the rich history of ceramics in that region (21:00). Kathyrn talks about defining their aesthetic to resonate with modern customers (38:02) and encouraging all types of home gatherings (47:18).

Link and images from this post can be found on the Lumi blog.