Studio atmosphere
Maison S.Sommet is a one-of-a-kind ceramic design studio in London, founded by Paris-born ceramicist Stephanie Sommet. With a background in architecture, Stephanie moved to London in 2009 and has since built more than 17 years of expertise in clay. Her approach is driven by playful experimentation and a deep love of the material, embracing imperfection over mass-produced flawlessness in the spirit of new-age ceramics. The studio was chosen for sponsorship by IKEA and H&M as part of Atelier 100, a programme championing some of London's most exciting creatives, and Stephanie has collaborated with distinguished artists and institutions including the Whitechapel Gallery, Ace Hotel, Bankside Hotel and The Shard. Today she shares that passion through teaching alongside a talented studio team.
Classes & programs
The studio offers a range of classes and workshops for all levels. The Wheel Throwing Pottery Class is a relaxed BYOB-and-craft session where you learn to centre and shape clay on the wheel, with prices typically from £35 to £40. The Unique Extrusion Pottery Class is a signature workshop exploring extrusion, a distinctive technique rarely taught elsewhere, priced around £35. Group Hand Building Pottery Workshops introduce coiling, pinching and slab-building for groups of all sizes from around £40 per person. For those wanting to go deeper, the 6-Week Wheel Throwing Pottery Course builds skills progressively over six sessions, priced around £250. Private lessons and bespoke workshops for couples, groups and events are also available.
Schedule & availability
Classes and workshops run regularly throughout the week, with many sessions offered at your choice of time to suit couples, groups and private bookings. Wheel throwing classes and six-week courses run on set dates, while extrusion and hand-building workshops can be arranged flexibly. Evening classes are available for those learning after work, and weekend workshops offer a fuller creative day. Sessions are based around the Bankside area, with some group hand-building workshops offered as mobile bookings. Booking ahead is recommended as popular classes fill quickly.
Facilities & tools
Maison S.Sommet is a fully equipped ceramic design studio catering for wheel throwing, hand building and specialist techniques such as extrusion. All clay, tools and materials are provided, and every piece is professionally glazed and fired by the studio team so you leave with a finished object to keep for a lifetime. The studio is wheelchair accessible and set up as an open studio environment, making it welcoming for beginners and experienced makers alike. Class sizes range from intimate private lessons through to larger group workshops.
Pricing
Wheel throwing classes are priced from around £35 to £40 per person, and the unique extrusion workshop is around £35. Group hand-building workshops start from around £40 per person, with pricing scaled for larger groups. The 6-Week Wheel Throwing Pottery Course is around £250 and includes six sessions with firing and glazing of your finished work. Materials, tools, glazing and firing are included in class prices. Private lessons and bespoke group or event bookings are quoted individually, so contact the studio directly for tailored pricing and availability.
Best for
Maison S.Sommet welcomes everyone from couples and craft enthusiasts to the most seasoned ceramicists. Complete beginners are well catered for with dedicated beginners classes and guided wheel throwing and hand-building sessions in a supportive environment. More experienced makers can explore signature techniques such as extrusion or commit to the six-week wheel throwing course to develop their craft. With private lessons, group workshops and event bookings available, the studio also suits date days, celebrations, team activities and anyone looking for a genuinely design-led ceramics experience in London.
FAQs
Do I need any experience to attend a class?
No experience is needed. Maison S.Sommet offers dedicated beginners classes, and experienced teachers guide you step by step through wheel throwing, hand building and other techniques. More advanced makers can also join specialist workshops and the six-week course.
What is the extrusion workshop?
Extrusion is a distinctive ceramic technique where clay is pushed through a shaped die to create consistent forms and profiles. The studio's Unique Extrusion Pottery Class is a signature workshop that lets you experiment with this less commonly taught method in a hands-on session.
Are the classes suitable for couples or groups?
Yes. Many sessions are designed for couples, friends and groups, including BYOB wheel throwing classes and group hand-building workshops. The studio also offers bespoke bookings for celebrations, team events and private groups.
What is included in the class price?
Classes include clay, tools, materials and instruction, and your finished pieces are professionally glazed and fired by the studio team so you have something to keep for a lifetime. You just need to bring yourself and, for some classes, your own drinks.
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes. Private lessons are available for individuals or small groups who prefer one-to-one guidance or want to focus on specific techniques and projects at their own pace.
Is the studio wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the studio is wheelchair accessible and set up as an open, welcoming space for makers of all levels.
When can I collect my finished pieces?
After your session, pieces need to dry before being fired, glazed and fired again. This process usually takes a few weeks, and the studio will let you know when your work is ready to collect.
