Inspiring Icons/ Edith Heath

Left: As a younger woman, Edith Heath, Right: A collection of Heath Ceramics in the studio

Silhouettes of Heath Ceramics, Including Salt & Pepper, Vinegar Bottle, Vases, Plates and Pouring Dish

Ceramic tiles produced by Heath Ceramics, Including their House Numbers and Inside their showroom

Left/ Right: Ones of Heath's Outlet's Signage and Showroom, Right: Photography: Corey Walter

More examples of Heath Tiles

More Silhouettes including their mugs, espresso cup and saucer, a vase, teapot, plate and children's set 

Left: Vintage Heath Casserole dishes, Right: In the studio, Including bowls, pitchers and bowls

Left: Heath Pitcher, Right: Edith Heath in the Studio

Left: Atwater Pottery for Heath, A collaboration currently in store only, Right: this season's multi stemmed vase

This seasons Desert bowl in Seasonal colors, Right: Espresso cups and saucers in yellow

Row's of Heath product In store

Heath Ceramics was a company I discovered when I moved to the U.S.A several years ago. It was actually their website I discovered first, purchasing a lot of props for The Real Simple prop cupboard which I managed as part of my job as Style Director. I loved the simplicity of their lines and their chalky matt colors that changed out seasonally. Always a fan of twin tone, the interesting use of contrasting color in say an interior of a bowl captivated me with quirky and unexpected combinations.

Heath Ceramics was founded by Edith Heath (1911-2005) who has had a lasting influence on Californian design through pottery. An Iowa farm girl, raised during the Depression and trained as a teacher, Heath worked as a studio potter in San Francisco until 1947, when a growing demand for her pieces inspired her to establish her own line of products and Heath Ceramics was born in 1948. Her parents were Danish and I think you can see this cultural influence in her work.

Edith was influenced by the art and architecture of the Bauhaus movement, pursuing simple, functional forms, and she collaborated with many of the leading architects and designers of the mid-century modern genre. Edith sadly died in 2005, aged 94, but her studio and pottery line still exist. In 2003, husband-and-wife team Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey, both ceramic artists themselves, purchased Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, where every product is still made in 2003.

The company has evolved to be ever current and their company identity and branding is always on trend, working in collaboration with other companies and designers to bring ever-revolving collections. Vintage Heath can also be admired and purchased in sections of their stores. On the West Coast, Heath defiantly has a presence and they have a number of stores and outlets that carry the full range and the seasonal offerings as mentioned.  

I love the story of Heath Ceramics and that today they are still going strong, I can’t wait to visit all their locations, I am currently in the West Coast so it strikes even more so a chord, Hope it does you too. 

Many pictures here can be found from Heath Ceramics website, check it out. 

Inspiring Icons/ Greta Magnusson Grossman

Left: Greta at her desk, 1959, Right: Her series of Cobra and Grasshopper lamps available at DWR

Some of Greta's Silhouettes, Including her Cobra lamp in Blue/ Gray, Upholstered Chemold Chair, Disk
laminate coffee table by Glenn of California "Good Design" chairs in blue upholstery, 1952, Desk Grasshopper
and Side table in walnut produced by Glenn of California

Left: Portrait of Greta in the 1940's Right: Writing Desk for Glenn of California, 1952
Pic courtesy of 20th Century Archives

Left: Three paneled folding screen, Walnut frame with painted wood balls on piano string, produced by
Glenn of California, Right: Writing desk, Cobra and Cone lamp and "Good Design" chair, 1952

Left: Stump wood "Ironing Board" coffee table, produced by Glenn of California, 1952
Right: Chair for Sherman Bertram, Photo courtesy of esotericsurvey.blogspot.com

Glenn of California desk Left: Photo by 20th Century Archives Right: The same desk in walnut

Left: Dresser for Glenn of California, Right: Interior of one of her houses
Photography: Anne Cusak for Los Angles Times

A collection of Greta's lamps

From Danish company Gubi website, Left: Once again a portrait of Greta at her desk a old image of her Cobra lamp

I have been pining after a Greta Magnusson Grossman lamp for some time, particularly her grasshopper floor lamp; I have just the corner for it! Thankfully Design Within Reach has for some time now been stocking some of her lighting design’s since being put back into production for many years, by Danish company Gubi so perhaps my wish may come true?! Gubi are also producing some of her furniture designs also which is super exciting!

In an era where too few women garnered public acclaim for their design and architectural talents, Greta Grossman (1906-1999) pushed through and gained acclaim both in Sweden and then in America particularly in the 1950’s after she and her husband, Billy Grossman migrated in 1940, settling in Los Angeles where she opened her store Magnusson-Grossman Studio, on Rodeo Drive in 1940, which was popular with clients like Greta Garbo, Joan Fontaine and Gracie Allen. Some of her pieces, like the Cobra Lamp, designed in 1950 for Ralph O. Smith and her 1952 Desk with Storage for Glen of California, have become icons of California modern. Original pieces now fetch an incredible amount due to their rarity.

She also designed as many as 14 homes, several remain but more than half have unfortunately been demolished, In the late 1960’s however she just kind of dropped out of the design and architecture scene and retired.

I love the simplicity but humor (without being too obvious) about her design, I hope you grow to appreciate her contribution to Design in the 20th Century and now all over again.