Heath Ceramics store, San Francisco

ceramics
Summer Serving & Cutting Board set by Heath Ceramics.
(Image credit: Jeffery Cross)

The renaissance of legendary pottery brand Heath Ceramics has just gained new momentum with the opening of a store in San Francisco's Bay Area. Now in its 63rd year, Heath Ceramics has been generating a steady stream of immaculately produced, handspun tableware and tiles from its original factory in California's Sausalito since 1948. But, despite the small factory outlet, it took the brand — one of America's few remaining mid–century potteries — until last year to open its first retail space, in LA's West Hollywood (featured in W*121).

Housed within the Ferry Building, on the Bay Area's Embarcadero, the new San Francisco store is set among a collection of organic and artisanal retailers. Conceived by Commune Design — the same outfit behind the LA outlet — the pared–down space displays a curated inventory of Heath Ceramics classics, as well as the new Summer 2010 collection of tableware with vibrant, hand–dipped glazes. Also on show are products from David Mellor Flatware and Libeco Linens, and the store features live video feed from the Sausalito factory floor, enabling visitors to see how the ceramics are made.

Heath Ceramics' revival began when current owners Catherine Bailey and Robin Petravic took the helm in 2003. The pair are committed to producing unique new pieces that place craft and design at the core of manufacturing, as well as bringing in new ceramic artists to work with the brand.

Interior of the new San Francisco Heath Ceramics store

Interior of the new San Francisco Heath Ceramics store.

(Image credit: Mariko Reed)

Iced Tea set

Iced Tea set by Heath Ceramics.

(Image credit: Jeffery Cross)

Vase collection

Vase collection by Heath Ceramics

(Image credit: Jeffery Cross)

Summer Bud Vase

Summer Bud Vase by Heath Ceramics.

(Image credit: Jeffery Cross)

interior

Interior of the new San Francisco Heath Ceramics store.

(Image credit: Mariko Reed)

ADDRESS

Heath Ceramics
101 The Embarcadero
San Francisco
CA 94105

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Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.