BRAND SPOTLIGHT: CERAMICAH
Whenever I discover a new brand I love, with an ethos and aesthetic I feel drawn to, you’ll always be the first to know. Enter: Ceramicah.
I first fell in love with the Los Angeles-based brand’s iconic ceramic Terra lamp which took on an organic form and texture in different earthy shades, inspired by California’s desert palette. Since then, Ceramicah’s stunning pieces have continued to capture my intrigue, and have been a staple in styling projects, elevating spaces and transforming clients homes alike.
Focusing on timeless pieces that are rooted in nature, with a nod to the landscape of California, Micah and Alexandra (the dynamic duo behind the brand) explore creativity from every angle, producing unique, yet, familiar designs that are loved the world-over.
I was delighted to recently chat with Alexandra and Micah about what inspired their new collection - Raku, what their must-have pieces are, and the process behind the designs. Keep reading to learn more!
Tell us about the new collection and the evolution behind it.
We’ve always been intrigued by Raku. It was originally developed in the 16th century by Japanese artists and is a special firing process in which pieces are removed from the kiln while still glowing hot and placed into containers with combustible material such as sawdust or paper. The containers are then covered, leaving no room for oxygen to get in, which is what creates the velvety black texture and iridescent crackling effects. This process results in each piece being entirely unique with their own combination of colors and textures. Since it is such a laborious and intensive process the collection is limited to fifteen lamps and twelve vessels, each completely distinct and one of a kind.
What is your design philosophy?
Functional pieces that are also works of art. We both went to architecture school (that’s where we met) and worked as designers for several years, so the idea of form follows function was deeply instilled in us. We strongly believe that both should work together to create a whole that is greater than the sum of it’s parts.
What is the inspiration behind your new collection?
The collection is inspired by the vibrancy of the Earth. We wanted each piece to feel as if it had been pulled from a volcano, still burning with color and life. So much of what you see in trendy design today is neutral, earthy colors which, don’t get us wrong - we absolutely love. But we wanted to do something different and bold for this collection. Create a collectible item that feels special so people walk into a room and go “what’s that??”
What are your must-have pieces for the home?
We have been traveling to Mexico a lot recently. We got married there this past February in Mérida on the Yucatan, and honeymooned at Cuixmala in Careyes. Those trips were beyond inspiring and made us obsessed with Mexican handcrafts, particularly these hand made ceramic pineapples from Michoacán that are exquisitely detailed and come in a variety of beautiful glazes. We bought two of them and display them in our home. As everyone has experienced the past few years, home is such an important space. It should function well, but also be a sanctuary where you feel safe and inspired whether it’s a one room studio or a large house. So we really believe investing in beautiful objects that “spark joy” are important and worth it!
Can you tell us a bit about your design process?
Our initial approach is guided by intuition and curiosity. We usually get inspired by our travels and experiences, or art and design books, then together we discuss and brainstorm ideas. Micah usually makes a few sketches then creates several prototypes. We test glazes and other finishes, then really try to refine a piece before deciding to offer it for sale. All our designs are rooted in Micah’s supreme attention to detail and focus on materiality and precision, while I focus more on the overall concept and how it fits into our brand.
What’s next for the Ceramicah brand?
This year has been huge for us in terms of exposure and establishing ourselves in the design community. We feel very lucky to be receiving so many orders and working with amazing designers all over the world, so our current focus is growing our team and production capabilities to be able to meet the demand, and to keep refining and evolving our work to deliver even better products as we grow.
For more, visit ceramicah.com
