Object(s) of Desire: Ethereal Porcelain Lighting from a Remodelista Favorite
OG readers—particularly those in the Pacific Northwest—might remember our Portland, Oregon market way, way, way back. Notary Ceramics, then a fledgling project that potter Sarah Van Raden started in her basement, was one of the makers who joined us and quickly became a favorite. We’ve been admirers of Notary ever since (see: Sarah’s farmhouse, Sarah’s tips for an elegant table, and Sarah’s appearance in 14 Women Ceramicists with Cult Followings).
Sarah emailed recently to say hello; Notary, she told us, marks a decade this summer. What started, in her words, as “solo therapeutic hobby” working with the “unrefined, grounding nature of clay” has grown into a brick and mortar storefront and production studio helmed by a team of women (and even featured on the Magnolia Network’s Storefront Stories).
To celebrate 10 years, Sarah recently launched a new collection of porcelain lighting and vessels. Notary first ventured into lighting during the pandemic, “a time when people were staying home and focusing deeply on curating comforting, beautiful living spaces,” but this is the first in porcelain, which intrigues Sarah for its duality: It’s simultaneously delicate and strong, translucent yet resilient.
Take a first look at the collection, “photographed inside a childhood friend’s rustic cow barn—juxtaposing the country life Sarah grew up with against the refined, luminous elegance of the porcelain.”
Photography by Kris LeBoeuf, courtesy of Notary Ceramics.
Above: “Porcelain is famously challenging and finicky to work with on the pottery wheel due to its delicate nature,” Sarah writes. “But the firing process transforms it into an incredibly resilient, dense, and strong ceramic.” Therein the duality: ethereal yet strong. Shown is the Lamp #9, ; $1,200.
Above: “Paired with solid brass hardware, these pieces are designed to cast a warm, intentional glow,” writes Sarah. Shown: Lamp #5, $1,500.
Above: The Angel’s Trumpet Vase, also in porcelain, is “is hand thrown in our smooth porcelain clay and left unglazed”; $160.
Above: Though Notary has grown from its early days as a one-woman operation, “Sarah still throws each of these pieces by hand, signing and stamping each one.” Shown is Lamp #10, $950.
Above: Each lampshade is “made just thin enough to allow soft light to glow through, perfect for any bedside table or reading nook.” The Pendant #1 is $550.
Above: The perfect bedside light. The Lamp #7 is $1,200.
Above: Arrangement by Sarah.
To browse the full porcelain collection head here.
And for more ceramics we love, see:
- Currently Coveting: Slow Ceramics from Estudio Vernís in Spain
- Design Sleuth: 7 “Weird and Wonderful” Ceramics at Birch Hotel, from Hooks to Taps
- 10 Easy Pieces: Simple Ceramic Serving Platters
