Earthy and Sculptural Ceramic Lighting by In Common With and Danny Kaplan

Seneca Table Lamp | Photo © Sarah Elliott

We're going to pretend we're in ultra-cool Brooklyn today, exploring the work of collaborative design studio In Common With and their new collection of handmade ceramic lighting. And they're so completely and utterly gorgeous, it hurts.

Known for paring beauty with simplicity (if it's not so completely obvious from these beautiful lifestyle shots) founders Nick Ozemba and Felicia Hung have come together with fellow Brooklynite and ceramic artist, Danny Kaplan. The result is the Terra Collection, combining minimal, contemporary forms with a handmade aesthetic. Strong, elegant lines and simplistic sculptural curves are off-set with raw texture and smooth brass finishings. This unusual ceramic lighting collection encapsulates the intersection between the ancient and modern.

Paloma pendant lamp in anthracite and Helena floor lamp in stone | Photo © William Jess Laird.

A collaboration with ceramicist Danny Kaplan, the Terra series reflects our studios’ shared commitment to pairing beauty with utility; tradition with innovation; Danny’s organic forms with our signature systems-driven simplicity.

In Common With

Terra ranges from the totemic Helena floor lamp (3ft high) to statement pendant lamps like Paloma and Augustus, meant to draw in conversations over the dining table and wall sconces for more intimate spaces within the home. The lamps' tactile qualities are owing to a stoneware clay with high levels of grog and grit Kaplan's studio use to give a rougher, rustic texture called 'tooth'. Inside a pre-war former bottling factory, his team of artisans use a variety of different techniques to build the lights depending on the design, including wheel-throwing, slab and coil building.

Earthy ceramic lighting - Augustus surface mount in Chestnut and Helena table lamp | Photo © William Jess Laird.

Photo © William Jess Laird

Together, we experimented with structure and scale to create pieces that embody an ongoing dialogue between artist and material. Our goal: to make the connection between clay and light appear innate, as effortless as friendly conversation.

In Common With

Chunky and minimal - the Simon surface mount | Photo © William Jess Laird

A mix of slab-built and hand-thrown - Augustus pendant lamp | Photo © William Jess Laird

Gorgeous in Ivy green - Augustus ceramic lighting | Photo © William Jess Laird

And did I mention In Common With's Handmade collection is equally beautiful? True to their name, it features collaborative lighting projects with glassblowers, metal workers and engineers around the world coming together to create striking, contemporary lights for the most discerning design lovers.