Designer Collectors: Vintage kitchenware

What do you collect?

I collect kitchenware—pretty plates, well-worn spoons and embroidered napkins. I’ve amassed a fairly significant number of pretty things and fortunately, I have the space in a spare room to house my collection.

Since when? 

I’ve come to recognize myself as someone living with a contrast. On the one hand, I’m a minimalist—this originated from growing up in a family that was frugal to the extreme, but it evolved into a concern for a society where we just buy. So. Much.

I agonize over purchases and, most of the time, simply walk away empty-handed. If I can’t truly justify it, I can easily talk myself out of buying anything new. And yet—I’m also a designer: someone who appreciates beautifully made things. Who buys food based on the packaging? Who longs for a copy of books like National Aeronautics and Space Administration Graphics Standards Manual and Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything. Who loves stationery, greeting cards, buttons and stickers…!

And of course, I could buy these things. In fact, my cursor has hovered over “Buy Now” many times in the past. But then what? I flip through it a few times, then leave it for my kids to throw out at some point? Although, in one weak moment, I did cave and bought The New Antiquarians: At Home with Young Collectors—and have no regrets. (Shout out to Elizabeth Goodspeed, a former DT speaker, for the book design!)

In any case, the struggle is certainly real. My way of balancing these two extremes has always been thrifting—even before it was cool, ha!

What is it about this collection that you love so much?

I’m drawn to kitchenware—that's one thing you can bet I’ve picked up (and maybe didn’t put it down)!

And since I live on an organic farm, there’s also a dream of someday writing & styling a cookbook, but the timing has never felt quite right. So in the interim, I’m continuing to source future props.

How does it inspire you as a designer?

As part of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to prop style two cookbooks and these have certainly turned out to be career highlights for me. I also occasionally need them for client shoots and sometimes, I simply lend them to friends for special occasions or social media content. Most recently, a friend with an event venue needed pretty plates and trays to style a picnic photoshoot (yes, Jane, I got you!).

At one point in time, I thought I could maybe set up a pseudo prop house here in London, a la Objekts Tabletop Prop House in Toronto, but there isn’t that same demand here, so the idea kinda came and went.

Most recently however, the collection has taken on a new life: I now have a vendor stall at a local antique market. What started as a way to pass along pieces I didn’t need turned into something more. I have found myself curating mini-collections for other people—things that are beautiful, yes, but also meant to be used. And the people have come, which is a great validation for me to know that there are others looking for treasures like this too! My most recent sales have included a set of mid-century wooden bowls, a tray with an image of the late Queen and a well-worn metal orange chair that I had scored while helping a friend declutter her in-laws' place.

As you can see from my personal experience, some collections carry with it aspirations that don’t always pan out, but if they hold meaning for you and inspire your work, then they are totally worth the expense and storage space!

And so, the collection continues to grow and change shape, though I’m still picky about what makes the cut. If it’s beautiful and useful, it’s a yes. If not, I can still walk away.

Your favourites? 

My most recent sales have included a set of mid-century wooden bowls, a tray with an image of the late Queen and a well-worn metal orange chair that I had scored while helping a friend declutter her in-laws' place.

An item you aspire to have in your collection?

I’m in the process of trying to get a full set of the Noritake Progression dishware entitled “Palos Verde”. Do you know anyone trying to get rid of theirs?