Your mug has a secret – and a chip is all it takes to reveal it
16/4/2026
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Pia Seidel
A chip on the rim of a plate is all it takes for the white material underneath to be suddenly exposed. Glazed ceramics can be deceiving; the colour’s often literally just a facade. Solid-colour porcelain removes the need for that aesthetic deception.
Porcelain’s colourful on the outside and white on the inside. It’s been that way for centuries. With solid-colour porcelain, however, it’s a different story. When this type of porcelain’s produced, the colour pigments are mixed directly into the clay before it’s fired. The result? A material that’s the same colour through and through.
This is exactly what Marcel Krummenacher creates at his Zurich-based studio, Studio Sediment. He adds pigment to porcelain clay, shapes it and fires it to create objects. «Every piece has been through my hands,» he says.
What solid colour means in technical terms
Colour’s applied to traditional crockery as a glaze layer over the item’s white porcelain. The material’s glazed after the first firing, then placed back in the kiln. With solid-colour porcelain, there’s one key difference: colour pigments are mixed straight into the clay before it’s even shaped into an object. As a result, the clay itself is already coloured. The glaze, if used at all, is transparent and serves only as a protective coating.
«I work the pigments into the liquid or malleable mixture until they’re evenly distributed,” Krummenacher explains. «You’ve got to be extremely careful, because even the tiniest traces of colour could contaminate the next batch.» During firing – often at temperatures above 1,200 degrees Celsius – colours sometimes change dramatically: «Grey pottery sometimes comes out of the kiln a brilliant blue. The heat permanently binds the paint to the molecular structure of the material. So the colour isn’t layered on top of the piece, it’s a part of it.»
This has consequences: if a crack appears on the rim of the mug, it’ll be barely noticeable, since the material underneath is the same colour as the surface. Unglazed porcelain, also known as «biscuit porcelain» (like a biscuit, it’s fired twice) has a matt, velvety finish. «This creates a texture that’s really pleasant to the touch.» Glazed surfaces, on the other hand, appear cooler and smoother, making them cleaner but less tactile.
The benefits of solid-colour porcelain
This technique has its advantages. The colour doesn’t chip away, nor does the pottery get discoloured in the dishwasher. What’s more, solid-coloured porcelain’s really easy to mix and match with other items. Since there’s no shimmery, reflective glaze, it creates a calmer, more cohesive look on your table.
Krummenacher recommends this style to «design enthusiasts who value aesthetics and tactile quality». He adds, «It’s perfect for decorative items, vases or pieces with a unique texture, such as espresso sets.» However, glazed porcelain has its place too: «In settings where there needs to be maximum hygiene or abrasion resistance – say, in the food service industry or if you’re using foods that stain heavily, such as turmeric – a sealed glaze layer is often the more practical choice.»
What you need to know
The technique used to make solid-colour porcelain is more complex and, as a result, more expensive. What’s more, pigments that have been worked into clay react differently to the firing process than they do in a glaze. Not every colour dyes porcelain evenly. «Shades of purple and pink, as well as bold reds, are the final bosses of solid-colour porcelain production,» Krummenacher says. «Many pigments burn at high temperatures or turn grey. Even a rich, deep black without a blue tint is a technical challenge.»
In addition, solid-colour porcelain develops a patina over time. The open-pored surface takes on signs of wear – not because it’s defective, but because it’s the nature of the material. It grows old with you.
Krummenacher advises using a soft stain removal sponge or a little baking soda to get rid of stubborn marks. If you want to get rid of salt stains created by your dishwasher and brighten up the colours, rub the surface of the porcelain with a little vegetable oil. According to Krummenacher, this’ll get it looking «as good as new».
More trend pieces
You’ll find solid-colour ceramics in a wide range of styles, at a wide range of prices. Chic.mic’s Good Mood collection has won me over with its rich colours and spherical shapes.
If you’d prefer something slightly more minimalist, Revol’s Basalt series in solid black, designed for the food service industry, also make for good statement pieces in the home. The brand is backed by a French manufacturer that’s been run by the same family since 1768. One that understands how porcelain ages. In its description of Basalt, Revol itself says: «Like leather, the surface of Basalt products develops a patina over time, smoothing with use.» This is in stark contrast to a glaze, which wears off over time.
So the next time you spot a chip on the edge of a plate, remember: if it’s solid-colour porcelain, the chip won’t reveal a facade. Rather, it’ll prove the plate was showing its true colours all along.
Header image: Pia Seidel
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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