Ibiza Dreaming with Deborah Brett
After a twenty year career as a fashion journalist for The Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Red magazine and Elle, Deborah Brett retrained as a ceramicist. Since graduating Deborah has had two group shows exhibiting her decorative sculptural pieces and works on commissions from her West London studio.
DB CERAMIC brings Deborah Brett’s creative and personal touch to a range of beautiful dinnerware. Working with a fifth-generation family run factory in Stoke-on-Trent each piece in the collection is designed and made by Deborah and then cast, allowing the shapes to be replicated perfectly.
Where is your summer retreat, and what drew you to this location?
Ibiza has been my family's summer escape for over 20 years. We fell in love with the island's wild beauty – the red earth, towering pine trees and that extraordinary cobalt sea. Our home sits overlooking the small island of Es Vedrà, and there is something about the energy here that instantly slows me down. It's a place that allows us to reconnect as a family, live more simply and recharge creatively.
Do you have any cherished rituals or routines that mark the start of the summer season?
The moment I arrive, I throw open every door and window to let the sea air in. We head straight to our local beach for lunch, spend hours swimming or paddleboarding, and by evening I'm setting the table outdoors for friends. Summer in Ibiza is all about living outside from morning until long after sunset – slowing down, switching off and embracing the rhythm of the island.
How does the design of your summer retreat differ from your main residence?
My London home is centred around green, inspired by the garden outside, whereas Ibiza is unapologetically blue. Every room reflects the sea beyond, from soft denim and indigo tones to crisp white walls and hand-painted tiles. The whole house is much more relaxed, with natural textures, built-in seating and spaces designed for barefoot living and effortless entertaining.
What scents remind you of summer, and how do you incorporate them into your home?
For me, summer smells of salt on warm skin, pine forests, sun-baked earth and citrus picked straight from the tree. I love fragrances that capture that feeling of being outdoors. VERDEN's Herbanum reminds me of the wild herbs growing around the island, while Arborealist evokes those beautiful pine forests that are so distinctive to Ibiza. I love lighting them in different parts of my home in London to subtly bring those memories of the landscape inside.
What's your favourite room or outdoor space, and how do you love to spend time there?
It has to be our blue-and-white tiled courtyard. It's the heart of the house and the first thing you see when you walk through the old Spanish doors. We eat there, read there, gather with friends for aperitivos, and linger around the table for hours after dinner. It feels like an outdoor living room and perfectly captures everything I love about Mediterranean life.
How do you bring the essence of summer into your interiors?
I try to blur the boundaries between indoors and out. There are ceramics overflowing with lemons and tomatoes, linen tablecloths that become softer with every wash, woven baskets, rattan furniture and layers of blue and white that echo the sea. The coastline, rolling waves and ever-changing light have also been a grounding influence on the sculptural silhouettes of my Flow ceramics collection for dbCeramic, bringing a little of the Mediterranean landscape into everyday living. I love introducing fragrance too, whether it's fresh herbs picked from the garden or a candle that recreates the scent of the landscape beyond. Nothing feels too precious – it's about creating spaces that invite people to relax.
What colours, textures or materials define the feel of your summer retreat?
It's all about sun-faded blues, chalky whites and natural materials. I mix rope, rattan, bamboo, terracotta, weathered wood and linen to create a relaxed, collected feel. I love combining different patterns too, but always within a harmonious palette so everything feels calm rather than busy.
Is there a particular piece of furniture or décor item that embodies summer for you?
The oversized reclaimed Spanish doors at the entrance are incredibly special. Every time they're opened they frame the courtyard and reveal the sea of blue tiles beyond. They set the tone for the whole house and always create that magical sense of arrival that, for me, marks the beginning of summer. Alongside, my cobalt blue Stripe and Bubble ceramics probably embody summer more than anything. They were inspired by watching the Mediterranean every day, and I still love filling the platters with vibrant salads or serving aperitivo snacks in my Ibiza Eye bowls when friends come over. They always remind me that the simplest moments around the table are often the most memorable.
What's your ideal summer gathering at home - who's there, what's on the table, and what's in the air?
The best gatherings are always wonderfully unplanned. Friends drift in throughout the afternoon, children disappear to the beach, and before you know it the table has doubled in size. There are huge platters of grilled fish, colourful salads, plenty of rosé, fresh peaches and lemons everywhere, and my blue ceramics piled high with food. As the sun sets, candles are lit, music drifts through the courtyard, conversations stretch long into the evening, and the scent of pine, sea air and warm Mediterranean nights fills the air.
