Recognised by its sturdy profile that strikes a note of refinement while still being deliciously robust to the touch, Heath Ceramics’ dinnerware, tableware, tiles and home accessories have become a staple in discerning American households since its founder Edith Heath established her namesake company in 1948.
Celebrating 75 years of Heath Ceramics
'Flow State' Summer Seasonal collection
The Californian brand celebrates its 75th birthday in 2023 with the unveiling of its Summer Seasonal collection, named ‘Flow State’, as much a testament to its founder’s legacy, as it is to the work of its current stewards, Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey, who took over the helm in 2003.
Filled with rich, sun-faded tones that range from cyan and avocado to pale lemon and bone tones, the collection epitomises the way Heath has preserved its heritage while simultaneously moving forward by expressing and defining a creative and contemporary signature.
'Flow State' Summer Seasonal collection
‘We’ve always found a path forward by staying true to who we are. A local manufacturing company driven by design and craft and the desire to connect directly with our community,’ say Petravic and Bailey, while reflecting on their two decades shepherding this American legacy brand.
‘We’ve learned to stay focused on this, take creative risks, but only if they stay true to who we are. We’ve learned that growth and scale can distract and suck out the soul of a place/company.’
A pouring method is used to apply different colours of glaze
Celebrating 75 years sees the company take the opportunity to collaborate with creative kinsmen, such as: the Maine textile company Swan’s Island; the textile weaver Studiopetró and Mexican artist Carla Fernandez; the British aluminium tray maker Kaymet, which was founded in 1947, just a year before Edith founded Heath; the graphics studio House Industries; and textile artist Carolina Jiminez.
The result is a multi-layered showcase that spans placemats, blankets, tiles and wall-hangings. On the Heath front, ceramic trays, vessels and plates have been washed in multiple hues to create an eye-catching, gestural pattern that nods to the hand that made them.
Heath Ceramics co-owners Catherine Bailey and Robin Petravic in the Sausalito factory
‘The technique we used for this collection was developed at Heath in the 1970s: pouring glazes across a second quality plate to create a landscape effect (and thus a special art piece) represents a kind of resourceful and creative approach to problem solving that is still at the heart of what we do today,’ the duo reflect.
‘We bring the same lean and creative mindset to everything we do. Like the glaze flowing across the pieces in this collection, we’re finding the balance between the ways our materials choose to behave and setting an intentional result.’
'Flow State' Summer Seasonal collection
Vintage experimental tile installation inside Heath's factory, a source of inspiration for this season's collection
Bailey and Petravic's office (originally Edith and Brian Heath's office) with vintage and present-day works and artefacts
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