From Heritage Craft to Modern Design over the years.
About Lime & Flux Studios – Handcrafted Plant Pots UK
At Lime & Flux Studios, every plant pot begins with an idea — a balance of form, texture, and the quiet beauty of nature. We specialise in handcrafted plant pots, designed to bring a refined, modern aesthetic into your home. From smooth Jesmonite plant pots to tactile stone plant pots and minimalist concrete planters, each piece is handmade in the UK with care, skill, and attention to detail.
But behind each planter lies a journey — one shaped by decades of craftsmanship, from restoring centuries-old buildings on the North Norfolk coast to exploring cutting-edge casting techniques with 3D printing. A journey bought to life in our UK design studio. This is the story of how Lime & Flux came to be.
## Where Craft Meets Nature
I (John, the maker) grew up on the North Norfolk coastline, where I developed a deep connection to the textures and patterns of the natural world — weathered stone, shifting sands, and the gentle erosion of time. The coastline taught me how nature leaves its mark on materials, and it’s this subtle beauty I strive to capture in every planter we create.
The salt air, tidal rivers, and flint walls of Norfolk were my first design teachers. In those surroundings, I learned that beauty often comes from imperfection — the cracks in stone, the patina on metal, the softened edges shaped by years of wind and water. This philosophy now informs my work, from succulent planters to large sculptural vessels.
## An Early Career in Heritage Building
Before becoming a full-time maker, I began my working life as a heritage builder, specialising in the restoration of period properties along the North Norfolk coast. My work often involved lime mortar, traditional plastering techniques, and the careful repair of historic stonework.
Working on centuries-old buildings taught me patience, respect for materials, and the value of craftsmanship that lasts generations. Every repair required not only technical skill but also an understanding of history — matching the texture of an 18th-century wall or ensuring a roofline stayed true to its original form. These early experiences still echo in my handmade UK planters, where texture, tone, and proportion are just as carefully considered.
## Studying Form at University
My passion for making eventually led me to Norwich University of the Arts, where I studied fine art and sculpture. Here, I immersed myself in the study of form — not just how objects look, but how they occupy space, how light interacts with them, and how they make people feel.
My degree show featured cast bronze and aluminium vessels, combining the permanence of metal with fluid, organic forms. I became fascinated by the casting process, the transformation from molten material to solid object, and the way a single piece could hold both strength and delicacy.
It was at university that I first began blending traditional casting techniques with modern tools. I experimented with 3D printing to create moulds, using digital precision to form the basis for hand-finished objects. This marriage of old and new has become a signature part of my process at Lime & Flux Studios.
## Materials That Tell a Story
Today, I choose materials not just for their appearance, but for their story and performance.
- Jesmonite – Lightweight, strong, and endlessly versatile, perfect for contemporary indoor plant pots. Its smooth finish makes it ideal for modern interiors while remaining durable enough for everyday use.
- Stone (reconstituted) – A timeless choice for a sense of permanence and natural texture. Each stone plant pot carries subtle variations that make it unique.
- Concrete – Minimalist, durable, and ideal for sleek, modern spaces. Our concrete planters bring a clean architectural feel to any home.
Every planter is crafted in our UK design studio, where raw materials are poured, shaped, sanded, and finished by hand — ensuring each piece is truly one of a kind.
## Designed for Modern Living
Our planters are made to suit the way people live now. Compact enough for apartment living yet bold enough to make a statement in larger spaces, they work equally well for succulent planters, lush foliage, structural cactus plants or seasonal blooms.
The versatility of our designs means they can hold their own as a centrepiece or quietly complement a room’s existing style. Whether displayed on a windowsill, dining table, or in a light-filled conservatory, each piece is as much a sculpture as it is a functional planter.
## From Studio to Your Home
The journey from concept to finished piece is both precise and personal. It begins with designing a form — sometimes sketched by hand, sometimes modelled in 3D software. When a design calls for absolute precision, I use 3D printing to create templates and moulds, which are then refined by hand.
From there, the material is mixed and poured into a mould. As the form takes shape, I refine the surface with tools and sanding blocks, just as I once did with heritage plaster and stonework. Each handcrafted plant pot is then sealed for durability, making it as practical as it is beautiful.
## Why Handmade Matters
In a world where most things are mass-produced, choosing something handmade is a quiet act of appreciation — for the maker, the material, the design, and the time and care it takes to create. Every handcrafted plant pot that leaves our UK design studio has been shaped, refined, and finished by human hands. That means no two are ever exactly alike.
When you hold a handmade UK planter, you can see and feel the difference. The surface might carry the faint trace of the casting process, the soft variation in pigment, or the subtle marks of sanding — signs that it was made by a real person, not a machine. These details give each piece a soul, and they’re the reason handmade objects often become treasured over years, even decades.
Small-batch making also means we can be thoughtful with our choices. We only create what’s needed, reducing waste and avoiding the overproduction that comes with factory-made goods. Each stone plant pot, concrete planter, or Jesmonite plant pot is made with care for its eventual home — whether that’s holding a sculptural succulent in a sunlit apartment or a leafy fern in a cosy corner.
There’s also a deeper connection that happens when you buy something handmade. You’re supporting skills that have been passed down and reimagined over generations, and you’re investing in quality over quantity. For me, making by hand is not just a way to create — it’s a way to honour my background in heritage building, my studies in fine art, and my belief that good design should last.
By choosing handmade, you’re not only bringing a unique object into your home — you’re carrying forward a tradition of craftsmanship that values patience, individuality, and the beauty of imperfection.
## Our Process – From Concept to Creation
Every handcrafted plant pot begins as an idea — sometimes sparked by a walk along the coast, a texture in an old building, or a shape discovered while sketching in the studio. The process is as important to me as the finished piece, and it’s one of the reasons each pot feels so considered.
1. Inspiration & Design – Ideas can come from anywhere: the curve of a wave, the patina of aged copper, the geometry of architecture. I sketch the form by hand first, playing with proportion and silhouette. For designs that need exact precision, I model them digitally, using 3D software to refine the shape before it ever reaches the studio.
2. Mould Making – This stage blends old and new. For some pieces, I hand-sculpt the prototype in clay or plaster, then create a silicone mould around it. For others, I use 3D printing to produce a perfectly consistent model, which can then be finished by hand to add subtle, organic details.
3. Casting the Form – The choice of material depends on the personality of the piece. Smooth Jesmonite plant pots are cast to achieve crisp lines and a refined finish or for playful blends of colour and tone, while reconstituted stone plant pots or concrete planters are poured to embrace texture and natural variation. The mixture is measured, mixed, and poured into the mould, then carefully vibrated to release air bubbles.
4. Curing & Finishing – Once demoulded, the pot is left to cure — sometimes for several days. This patience is key to durability. After curing, I sand the surface to achieve the right texture, from silky-smooth to weathered and tactile. Pigments, sealants, or protective finishes are then applied to complete the piece and ensure it will stand the test of time.
5. Quality & Detail – Every pot is inspected by hand. Edges are checked for smoothness, surfaces for consistency, and bases for stability. Imperfections are embraced only when they add to the character of the piece — never when they compromise quality.
6. Ready for Your Home – Only when I’m completely satisfied does the pot leave our UK design studio. Whether it’s destined to hold a delicate succulent, a flourishing fern, or a dramatic indoor tree, I know it will not only serve a purpose but also bring beauty to its surroundings.
## Sustainability & Longevity
I believe in creating pieces that last. By using durable materials like Jesmonite, stone, and concrete — and making them to order in small batches — we avoid overproduction and waste. Many of our planters are designed to develop character over time, just like the heritage buildings that first inspired me.
## Looking Ahead
While Lime & Flux Studios began with a focus on indoor plant pots, the future holds larger, more sculptural works, as well as collaborations with interior designers, architects, and garden designers. The skills I’ve honed in both heritage restoration and fine art sculpture are now guiding me towards pieces that bridge the worlds of function and art.
## Bring Your Plants to Life
Your plants deserve more than just a container — they deserve a setting that enhances their beauty. Browse our full collection of flower pots, stone plant pots, Jesmonite plant pots, and concrete planters to find the perfect piece for your space. Each one carries the mark of a maker who has spent a lifetime learning from both history and innovation.