At the heart of every gathering lies a story of connection, community, and the care we share with one another. This is what Ashley Gould believes, anyway, and she’s started a tableware brand to foster bonds while dining.
Once a lawyer and corporate executive, Gould embraced a new path after observing a fading glow of empathy and togetherness in our fast-paced world. With Âme Atendre, she hopes to rekindle these values, one gathering at a time.
The name of her brand, Âme Atendre, itself is a tapestry of meanings, with “âme” embodying “spirit” or “soul,” and “atendre” a nod to the old French for “to take care of” or “to attend to.”
These words illustrate the brand and its mission — to create moments that nourish the soul and bring people closer in the spirit of genuine care and connection, she said.
“My company is all about human connection even through its objects. I really believe that objects can help us connect and we feel our environment,” said Gould. “I feel like in France they are much better at taking a minute and spending time together. We in America are rushing a lot. We have become so much more polarized, and I feel like we need to get back to the place where we can sit around a table and have a conversation about any topic and be curious and respectful.”
Gould and principal designer Dylan Williamson have put together a collection aiming for creativity and design with functionality at the core. Each piece, whether hand-crafted ceramic dinner sets, glass drinkware or serveware, is designed to inspire and elevate any gathering, she said.
The goal was to create everyday objects that are also thoughtfully designed for today’s world — microwave and dishwasher-safe.
The collection is a global collaboration, with the ceramics being hand-thrown in Utah by Villa Ceramics.
Beyond the tableware, Âme Atendre offers a selection of gifts. From handcrafted backgammon sets to sophisticated stationery, the brand caters to a diverse range of interests. Even culinary offerings such as artisanal sweets, rich oils and flavorful spreads find their place, each selected to enhance the joy of hosting and add value to shared moments.
Tying together the essence of Âme Atendre is the podcast, “On the Table with Ashley.” Hosted by Gould, the podcast dives into the significance of the objects that grace our lives, the beauty of intentional design, and the impactful role they play.
Through a blend of practical advice, stories and discussions, listeners are invited to explore how sharing a meal can transform relationships and experiences.
“My mom was always an amazing entertainer and would lay out a beautiful table and maybe more importantly was so gracious about inviting people into our home,” Gould said. “She also had a stationary and small gift shop. I think that, combined with my experience in France and seeing this polarization happening, is what drove me to start the business.”
To learn more about the products and to order visit ameatendre.com/our-collections.