WITH seven children at home, when it comes to pots and plates practicality is the name of the game in Paul Costelloe's house.

Not surprisingly, the emphasis in his first ever collection of homeware for the best known name in English china is on form and function.

But the range also boasts Paul's signature style that has been seen in his classic contemporary, durable clothes for the past two decades.

The new rustic earthenware collection he has created for Wedgwood comprises bowls, vases, plates, a teapot, cups and saucers, mugs and jugs.

"You can use the bowls for pasta, salad, cereal, anything; that's what you need with seven children. All you need is a bowl and a mug and you could survive anywhere," says Paul.

The charismatic Irish-born designer is taking a break from preparations for London Fashion Week to visit York on Thursday to unveil the collection at Mulberry Hall in Stonegate.

The clean lines and neutral creams, blues, greys and whites of the collection bring Wedgwood bang up to date. The contemporary stoppered vases and pots would look at home in a modern, minimalist apartment, while the jugs and bowls reflect the current move towards a more relaxed homelife and style of entertaining.

Paul says it's a conscious effort by Wedgwood to appeal to younger customers and those with a modern lifestyle, which has also seen them produce a collection by designer Nick Munro.

"I've tried to make mine a contemporary collection that's casual, multi-functional and well-priced. You can buy one mug or a whole set, it doesn't matter. It's not pretentious at all," says Paul.

"If you go around stores today, whether it's furniture or fashion everything is very informal - that's where I was coming from. People are dining with a candle in their kitchen or living room these days. I don't think people use dining rooms any more."

For those who know Paul Costelloe clothes, the homeware collection is a natural extension. "The pieces are like my clothes, understated with a contemporary mood that fit into your lifestyle very easily. There's nothing terribly academic or intellectual about it," he explains.

Although he has produced his own crystal and cutlery before, it's his first major foray into homeware with a multi-national. He made the initial approach to Wedgwood, choosing to go with a company with marketing clout instead of producing his own collection under the Paul Costelloe label.

From Wedgwood's point of view it sees them linked with a world-class designer at a time when many household stalwarts are itching to sign up as many designer names as they can for the prestige factor.

Wedgwood came up with earthenware which suited Paul, who's famous for his use of linen and natural fabrics in his clothes. "I was very comfortable with the material, and with the Wedgwood team. My designs were quite hard to manufacture because of their size and the glazing but there was no major controversy in the development of the range."

The collection will be supplemented with cutlery in a couple of months.

He's also rather pleased that, although considered a quintessential English company, Wedgwood is in fact owned by the Irish Waterford empire. Paul finally gave up his Dublin base a year ago and transferred his headquarters to Knightsbridge.

His Wedgwood collection is, however, more international, he says. "It's not intense, there's not a wow factor. But they're the type of plate that food looks nice on, the kind of bowls which you can serve food from Sainbury's or Marks & Spencer on and guests will say, 'That's a really nice bowl'."

l For an invitation to the evening at Mulberry Hall, which includes champagne and canaps, contact Celia Maughan on (01904) 620736. Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance. The event starts at 7.30pm.