The San Francisco Ceramicist Who Crafts Celebrity Faces

What to Spec Now

Ceramic artist Cameron Caldwell’s celebrity-filled vases are prepared for the spotlight

Cameron Caldwellloves creating expressions—the handcrafted, joyfully organic ceramic kind. Born with mild cerebral palsy and a connective tissue condition called Marfan Syndrome, the 25-year-old ceramic artist spent his teenage years in physical therapy using clay and Play-Doh to improve dexterity and motor skills. Through this process, he discovered a natural ability for shaping forms and now uses his free-spirited imagination to make striking, vibrantly textured vases, including a new collection of celebrity portraits.

Drawing inspiration from the facial expressions of his favorite funny actors, Caldwell’s beautifully glazed, kiln-fired artworks celebrate comedic legends like Bill Hader, Eugene Levy,Seth Rogen, Walton Goggins, and the uniquely quirky Jeff Goldblum. (“He’s just so expressive, and I really admired him inJurassic Park,” says Caldwell.” Currently forming in his San Francisco studio:Anne Hathaway”I enjoy her appearance, and her films always bring me joy,” he says. It can take up to two weeks to finish one of these imaginative creations, which can cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on the size. Fans of Caldwell’s work include interior designers such as Erin Martin, Kendall Wilkinson, and AD100 designerKen Fulk, who presents the expressive pieces in his namesake West Hollywood andSan Francisco boutiques. —David Nash

On the Block

Miles Redd on Veere Grenney’s One-of-a-Kind Auction

You rarely come across live geraniums being sold at auction, butVeere Grenney at The Templeis not a typical design event. On September 3, Dreweatts inLondon will present almost 150 items for sale from AD100 designer Veere Grenneyhis private collection, including several items from The Temple, his renowned Palladian estate in Suffolk.

For more than forty years, the designer, originally from New Zealand, transformed the estate—once owned by his idol, David Hicks—into the perfect representation of his clean, traditional aesthetic. He is now handing over the property to friends he refers to as “highly respected designers who will add their own touch of magic.”

To obtain a firsthand viewpoint,ADturned to designer Miles Redd, who refers to Grenney as his “true north.” His first choice was Lot 47, a pair of geraniums in terra-cotta pots (estimated at £200–300), with stems reaching almost 70 inches tall. “Imagine the love and attention that has been put into growing these,” Redd says in admiration. “They’ve been nurtured like prize-winning plants!” He also appreciates Lot 1, a pair of white-painted metal garden seats once owned by Bunny Mellon (estimated at £500–800) for their “Moorish-meets-English” sculptural appeal, and Lot 37, a 10-branch crystal chandelier (estimated at £1,500–2,500), which perfectly captures Grenney’s signature blend of practicality and elegance.

For Redd, the sale represents more than just valuable items—it’s a lesson in releasing attachments. “Veere appreciates beautiful things, but he isn’t controlled by them,” he states. “That’s the true motivation.”—Catherine Hong

See This

William Stout’s Architectural Books, Now on the Move

When the Eames Foundation obtainedWilliam Stout Architectural BooksIn 2022, it ensured the continuation of a San Francisco landmark. Established in 1974, the store has consistently drawn architects, design enthusiasts, and collectors. Today, this heritage is being carried on through the Stout Bookmobile—a restored 1970 Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter transformed into a mobile bookstore.

Produced in Sonoma County, the van features custom USM Haller shelving and graphics designed by Jony Ive’s LoveFrom studio. The idea was developed by Erik Heywood, senior retail director at the Eames Institute, who took inspiration from the peak era of American bookmobiles, when colorful vans and buses brought mobile libraries to small towns across the country.

Following its debut at the San Francisco Art Book Fair this summer, the Stoutmobile is now located close to the shop’s Jackson Square location, with scheduled stops at studios, companies, and cultural gatherings. “Our bookmobile allows us to expand our presence by connecting with our customers where they are,” explains store manager Angelika Ingham. Reservations will become available in late 2025.—C.H.

Design Happenings

Inside the Making of This Year’s Exclusive NYC Collectible Event, the Design Industry’s Most Coveted Show

September can sometimes resemble the start of the school year for designers. One of the first events of the season isCollectible New York, an design fair taking place from September 4 to 7 (the VIP opening is on September 3). I’m eager to see the exhibition, if only to learn more about the latest developmentsWSA Buildingat Maiden Lane, where trendy, desirable items will be showcased in a large, industrial setting with panoramic city vistas. This marks the second US version of the innovative design fair, which originated in Brussels in 2018, and this year’s selection of 123 exhibitors offers much to look forward to. Since I missed6:AM’s fan-favorite eventIn Milan earlier this year (the one at Piscina Cozzi, the public pool), I’m excited to see that the Quadrato collection makes its debut in the United States along with other Murano glass pieces.Avenue Road. Also on my shortlist? I can’t wait to see what actor andAD star Julio Torreshas emerged for his collaboration with a Brooklyn-based furniture brandSabai; the same applies to the new oneKwangho Lee rugs for cc-tapis(I’ve been following his work since I wrotethis article on the K-Wave of Korean Design back in 2020).

At the fair, I’ll be looking for promising talent at my favorite new designer exhibition,Jonald Dudd(co-founder Chris Dudd promises a neo-gothic throne and a)tattooed table), and enjoying whatever stylish environment AD PRO Directory memberMichael Hilalevokes at Vignette. Hilal compares the new section to “store windows, where modern works are combined with vintage or antique items to convey a personal design philosophy.”

Okay, now for a personal plug: This year, I’m putting together the fair’s Curated section around the concept ofFolly. Think: shell lamps, fake stained glass, and a jewelry box shaped like Rome’s Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. I’ve worked withCat Snodgrass and Wallpaper Projectsto design a fully engaging setting for the works—so get ready to be amazed.—Hannah Martin

Stay Here

A Wealth of History at Istanbul’s Aliée

Istanbul is rich with history, a city where different continents meet and various cultures (Turkish, Ottoman, Byzantine) have accumulated over time. Visitors can now explore the past and present atAliée, a new hotel located on the Golden Horn. What used to be the site of a regional palace and subsequently a lively shipyard has been transformed into an extensive hospitality venue, featuring 122 rooms and suites, six dining options, and a multi-tiered spa. The Los Angeles-based team of Dayna Lee and Ted Berner ofPowerstrip StudioSupervised the transformation, utilizing their background as production designers in the film industry while also incorporating local artisan traditions. Handwoven silk rugs, bas-relief headboards, carved-marble sinks, detailed mosaics—these elements and more now blend with original stone walls and, in the lobby restaurant, a replica of an Ottoman home. Naturally, no visit to Turkey is complete without a traditional hammam experience; here, it is enhanced by saunas, cold dips, and a Russian-style banya, along with various other wellness options. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor swim club, offering a panoramic view of the Bosphorus and the city skyline dotted with minarets.—Sam Cochran