DESIGNER OF THE DAY

Designer of the Day: Morgan Peck

From her backyard studio in Los Angeles, Morgan Peck dedicates hours to meticulously hand-crafting ceramic homewares inspired by Memphis Milano, Art Deco, and the Bauhaus but with a decidedly modern touch that continues California’s celebrated ceramics tradition. The maker’s hand forges a sense of personal collection throughout each of her works, the most recent being a collection of new and large-scale vases, bowls, candlesticks, and mirrors designed in collaboration with Kelly Wearstler.

From her backyard studio in Los Angeles, Morgan Peck dedicates hours to meticulously hand-crafting ceramic homewares inspired by Memphis Milano, Art Deco, and the Bauhaus but with a decidedly modern touch that continues California’s celebrated ceramics tradition. The maker’s hand forges a sense of personal collection throughout each of her works, the most recent being a collection of new and large-scale vases, bowls, candlesticks, and mirrors designed in collaboration with Kelly Wearstler.

Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.

Age: 38

Occupation: Ceramicist.

Instagram: @_morgan_peck_

Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington.

Studio location: Los Angeles.

Describe what you make: Ceramic homewares inspired by the Memphis and Deco style movements. All of my compositions are individual, handmade and the result of hundreds of hours of craftwork and care.

The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Every project is of equal importance to me, whether it’s a bowl, sculpture, or installation. I thoroughly enjoy the creative process and put the same amount of energy into each of my pieces, no matter how big or small.

Describe the problem your work solves: I find that home objects can often lack intimacy and so I always strive to create pieces that generate conversations with the viewer. I want to convey the process of hand craftsmanship through my design, and help encourage a sense of personal connection. 

Describe the project you are working on now: I just finished working on CONTOUR with Kelly Wearstler, which is my most recent collection and features new and large-scale pieces. Now I’m back to my usual work of fulfilling wholesale orders for my eponymous collection. That means making multiples of vases, bowls, and platters, and spending lots of time packaging them.

A new or forthcoming project we should know about: CONTOUR launched a few weeks ago, featuring nine sculptural vases, bowls, plates, candlesticks and large scale mirrors. It’s available via Kelly’s site only. I’m also in the design phase of a 30-foot long wall installation in Cara Cara, the rooftop restaurant at the Downtown L.A. Proper hotel. It’s expected to be installed this summer.

What you absolutely must have in your studio: Audiobooks, no music, and clean and empty work surfaces (to start at least!). Also, windows and doors that open to my backyard.

What you do when you’re not working: Hang out with my kids (Rudy, 6, and June, 2) and husband. I love taking them to the Santa Monica Pier or the park. If I have any free time to myself, I absolutely love thrifting!

Sources of creative envy: Barbara Hepworth, Ruth Duckworth, Garry Knox Bennett, and Pietro Cascella.

The distraction you want to eliminate: Stress and worry.

Concrete or marble? Concrete.

High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.

Remember or forget? Remember.

Aliens or ghosts? Aliens.

Dark or light? Dark.

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