Kathleen Hills – Genuine UK Design
Auteur : Kris | 07-23-2011
Kathleen is just one of those artist / product designers that I admire as she is not out to follow the latest fashion nor design trends. She creates lasting items that you’d love to give as a gift or cherish yourself.
«Made in England» rolling pin
When asked what she enjoys most about her work, she appreciates working in her 100 year old Victorian House where she runs her small family business near Stoke on Trent. It has a vast cellar with a workspace and kiln. Quite a welcoming change from the industrialized, imported objects produced in large quantities that we see in home décor shops. (Sorry I couldn’t resist as we at Cocotte Design strive for authenticity!)
Star Light
From graphic to floral to product design…..
Having worked in various areas of design, Kathleen started out as a graphic designer where she learned colour and composition. Then she moved on to floral design which was her first experience in both 3D and spatial design, «which was great training for both product exhibition and design».
Egg Cube
Her universe in product design blossomed from her parents’ manufacturing business where they’d produced a range of cast metals. «My aunt worked in the office with my mum, while my dad designed beautiful industrial components that were produced in the foundry. At home we displayed wooden patterns and sculptures of moulten metal that had dripped from the die casting benches. I was very happy wandering around the foundry with the flames and heat and sand. I am still very interested in manufacturing and enjoy that part of my work a great deal.»
Vintage Decanters
Kathleen’s dream home:
«I would struggle to think of just one dream home…… I am very happy in my own home but I love modern architecture and would like to try living in a very modern home. My home is over 100 years old and has many small rooms over 4 floors. Large, linking living spaces must be lovely.»
2412
Kathleen likes:
- Dutch design and I really admire the work of Hella Jongerius
- The fashion label Eley Kishimoto (I’ll agree to that one – love their prints!)
- Perfume: Paul Smith, ‘Rose’ (So English!)
- Old black & white British films from the 60’s
We just missed her exhibition at Bensimon’s Home Autour du Monde in Paris where she showed a blue product line called Indigo.
Milkii
Thanks Kathleen for a breath of ‘Made in England’ and I’m off to your website to buy the egg cubes immediately!
Have a look at all the other vintage designs on her website!
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