When Jono started the company in 2004, he had a simple mission: to design unique dinnerware options for the hospitality industry. He started small, with one wheel and one kiln, and collaborated with chefs, taking risks and learning from his mistakes. Then and now, his priority is to work directly with our clients, responding quickly and thoughtfully to their needs in ways that larger manufacturers can’t, resulting in dinnerware with a personal feel that sets their clients’ restaurants and dining rooms apart. Jono’s team of 10 artisans come together each day to form, glaze, and fire their pieces while natural light shines across the Hudson River. They are committed to doing things with minimal impact to the environment.
Jono Pandolfi
Artist Process
Jono Pandolfi Designs crafts high quality ceramic dinnerware through a meticulous process tailored to each specific design. The studio employs various techniques, including slip casting, jiggering, and wheel throwing, to shape their pieces. The production begins with sourcing ceramic stoneware clays from the northeastern United States. These clays are de-aired and rolled into inch-thick sheets. Using a tracing tool, the clay is cut into specific shapes and placed into molds. A jigger—a shaping tool used on a pottery wheel—is then employed to form the clay into the desired design. After shaping, the pieces are left to dry and then bisque-fired at approximately 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, solidifying the form and giving the clay a terra cotta hue. Following this, the ceramics move to the glazing station, where glazes are applied—often sprayed rather than dipped—to ensure uniform and consistent color.
"Our dinnerware is hand-made at a light-filled studio in Union City, New Jersey, by a team of 16 artisans. The studio is also where we quality check and pack up dozens of orders per day, which are then sent out to restaurants like Lilia, Jean-Georges, and Felix Trattoria and to serious home cooks all over the country." Jono Pandolfi
Our Collaboration
Jono Pandolfi hand thrown pottery can be found in both restaurants on site.
Hand Thrown Pottery
Pasque | Stellar Jay | Guest Rooms | Little OwlClay
Jono’s team of 10 artisans come together each day to form, glaze, and fire their pieces while natural light shines across the Hudson River. They are committed to doing things with minimal impact to the environment.
More From Jono Pandolfi
Our studio is equipped with 10 kilns and 6 wheels and we begin each day with the thrill of opening our Blaauw kiln to discover the finished pieces we loaded in the night before. Explore Jono Pandolfi beyond Populus.
See Other Artists
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Sangre DeCristo Cascades
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites | Presidential Suite
Chef’s Table for Stellar Jay
Level 13 | Stellar Jay
Arapaho Brave
Level 2 | Gym
Field of Indian Paintbrush Wildflowers
Rooms + Suites | Pando Suite
Slippery Elm Wood Slices
Level 2 | Rooms + Suites | Presidential Suite
Chef’s Table for Pasque
Level 1 | Pasque
Indian Paintbrush Wildflowers
Rooms + Suites
Soap Dish
Guest Rooms
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Arapaho Woman Sitting
Level 13 | Corridor
Flatware
Pasque | Stellar Jay | Little Owl
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Stellar Grove
Level 13 | Stellar Jay Private Dining Room
Minimalist Bud Vases
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Mushroom Tapestry
Level 1 | Pasque
Treeline
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Petaluma
Rooms + Suites
Fenway Vases and Mugs
Pasque | Stellar Jay | Little Owl
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Snow on Sanger DeCristos
Rooms + Suites
NDN Grandmother
Rooms + Suites | Presidential Suite
Hand Thrown Pottery
Pasque | Stellar Jay | Guest Rooms | Little Owl
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Rolling Hills
Specific Suites
Southern Arapaho Girl
Level 2 | Gym
Rain Clouds Over Algodones
Rooms + Suites
Arapaho
Level 2 | Restroom
Keepsake Dish
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Blue Flax Wildflowers
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug Gallery
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Elk
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Recycled Glasses
Rooms + Suites
Bison
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites | Presidential Suite
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Biixoo3é3en
Level 1 | Lobby
Switchgrass Prairiegrass
Level 2 | Enclave
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Winter on the Big Tesuque
Rooms + Suites
Pressed Native Wildflowers
Rooms + Suites
Yakisugi Inspired Wall
Level 13 | Stellar Jay
Handmade Frames
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 13 | Rooms + Suites
Songs and Sounds of Nature
Elevator | Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Rooms + Suites
Young Cheyenne Girl
Rooms + Suites | Presidential Suite
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Navajo Rug
Level 2 | The Commons
Buffalo and Prairie Dogs
Rooms + Suites | Presidential Suite