Heath Ceramics in Sausalito is a personal favorite of mine: a design focused retail destination featuring Heath pottery, decorative homewares, and iconic ceramic tiles. Founded in 1948 by visionary ceramicist Edith Heath, the brand is an icon of California modern design. The items here are undeniably expensive, but the timeless design and constantly updating of color palettes make each piece feel special. In 2003, the company was revitalized by husband-and-wife product design and business team, who thoughtfully reinvented the brand. Heath is a great example of how with a good steward, classic design can be successfully revived and made modern. I find Heath to be a good spot for finding special design focused gifts. read more

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I grew up with Heathware bowls, plates, and other pieces. While I've always loathed the noise they make when stacked together or when cutlery is moved across them, the pieces are very beautiful. I stopped by today, with my mom, to buy my sister some gifts for her wedding. I loved the new colors I saw - they had some yellow bowls and bulb vases that I was seriously tempted to buy, in addition to the other items. What I didn't love was the lack of customer service. I don't expect or want to be waited on hand and foot, but a simple acknowledgement would have been nice, rather than having multiple employees just watching us the entire time. I ended up purchasing from the seconds section and buying less than anticipated due to the overall vibe. I try to be understanding, and perhaps something was off for them today. Regardless, I was so uncomfortable in the store that I waited outside while our items were gift wrapped. read more

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I inherited some Heath Pottery recently and was curious to learn more about it. Since I was planning a trip to San Francisco, I decided it might be fun to tour their ceramic factory. Heath has been in business since the 1940's. They have a dedicated following of customers who appreciate well made, hand crafted ceramic pieces. The tour is one hour, requires advanced reservations and is very informative. We learned about the high quality clays and glazes used. Also the laborious process of crafting the beautiful ceramic pieces they are known for. It takes about 2 weeks to complete an object. The ceramics are high quality and the prices are commensurate with that. ( I have had several of my pieces for over 45 years). We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. All of the staff were friendly, ready to answer questions, and provided terrific service. read more

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My favorite store. Been drinking and eating from Heathware since I was a kid. Now my kids love it. So great to have this "seconds" store in Sausalito. They say people have four sets of dinnerware in their life. The one your parents had, the one you have as a single adult, the one you have when you have a family, and then when everyone in the house is grown up. I am ready to begin the 4th phase with all other non- Heath disposed of. read more

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Fine. Unique product aided by an outstanding knowledgeable staff. New additions to their base products are very appealing

Alright so I am not a ceramics person nor do I typically appreciate the artistry and the visual appeal of items that are to serve a very utilitarian purpose that could be replicated by stuff that is a lot cheaper and mass produced. But even I could see how awesome this store is and the value in the products they sell here. A great place to pick up some gifts for folks or to add some pop to your house. They have a second life section where they sell items with small visual and physical defects at a discount which is nice. The service is amazing and the folks here take time to answer your questions. They gift wrapped some items we were gifting to other folks as well. Overall, 5 star experience. read more

Heath Ceramics - Taking out a personal loan - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

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Wonderful products, excellent staff provides a delightful experience. This well established Comoany ism a pleasure to work with. read more

After a delightful visit to their store in the Mission District, my friends and I decided to come see their Sausalito studio shop as well to see if we'd find other items to our liking. At the other shop we bought 2 dessert bowls from the Rim line. The Sausalito location is sizeable. Showrooms are smaller than Mission location, but still a lot of stock to browse through. The parking lot outside is on unfinished ground -- so beware of large puddles and uneven flooring. Once inside, they offer all their usual collections AND also a whole wall of "factory seconds". These are items that are good to use, but may have some minor defects. They were also come at a discounted price! We were there on Thurs, Dec 28 and it was very busy. Lots of people coming in and out and not much room to move around. It was good that they had about 2 staff at the cashier, and 2 other younger staff milling about to help with any questions. Many of them were masked which I also appreciated during this season of high covid/flu/cold transmission! They also had a small cart by the cashier that was for items you want to buy -- so you can put down safely while continuing to browse. I found a couple of beautiful matte side platters in Chile from the factory seconds wall, and also from the regular section: 2 plates from the Rim line to go with the dessert bowls I had already purchased the week before. As with previous experience, I told the staff here that I was flying with these items and so they wrapped them up with thick packing paper, and they made it safely home. I love how they all look fantastic together, and also look very "Heath"! I've used them a couple of times thus far. I've be hand-washing these items carefully. Will see how they last! read more

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I found this place on Google Maps search. It's across the street from the restaurant. It's polished and produces wares and kitchen products. Said ceramics...with wood and silver....it's Northern California lifestyle...pricey..interesting to visit and browse..got a card and a wood spoon. Crafty and classy...a bit aloof. read more

Heath Ceramics - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

I have thousands of dollars in Heath dinnerware. Originally requested them for our wedding. I have added many pieces over the years, but I need replacement items and will be completely replacing with another brand, given their service. Since being acquired a number of years they have steadily gone down hill. I ordered a large quantity online to replace items that have broken over the years, but when it arrived, they did not match the color shown on the website. I wanted to exchange them in person to get the best match, given the issue with color. We live several hours away, so I didn't get to it right away. When I contacted them today about coming in, they informed me that since it had been over 30 days, they would not exchange them. Really, as if stoneware is going to spoil! I received two large. boxes and only opened the first box as I realized right away that the color would not work. The seal on the second box is not even cut. Additionally, I typically buy a number of new items while I am there, no more. read more

You must come here for the seconds! Heath Ceramics are definitely worth it! But, it's nice to get a discount too. I love the simplicity of the coup plates. We came back for some smaller plates. My husband conveniently broke one of our larger plates so we had to replace it. We also came out with two large salad bowls. Everyone here customers and employees are so friendly. One of the customers I encountered stated, "You get these plates and they last a lifetime." I couldn't agree with her more...unless your husband breaks one. read more

My review is based on how we were treated by the rude staff here, especially the workers in the overstock section in the back. The one lady definitely discriminated against my family because of our race, medical condition (pregnancy) and age. She ignored us and catering to older white clients, even though they came in after us. When she finally got to us because we were the only ones left, she didn't answer any of our questions- just gave us a paper handout, then proceeded to tell us that we "needed to return it" when we were done looking at it.... As if we were going to steal her piece of paper! She didn't tell any of the other clients that. We came 3 times in 3 different weeks hoping to have a different staff member because we needed tile, but she was always the only one there. The last time I asked to use the bathroom at the front desk because I needed to go and was 8 months pregnant. The young guy at the front said yes then as he led us to the back the rude lady stopped him and said "no- they don't allow people to use the bathroom on that day of the week". We were so flabbergasted by her outright contempt that we just left. Never going back. read more

This review is about quality. I do not recommend buying and using Heath cereal bowls for everyday use. They can't handle typical wear: holding food, heating in microwave, dining at table, dishwasher. They will crack. I have a 12 place collection of Heath ceramics tableware. Dinner and salad plates, bread plates (16), several serving pieces, cereal bowls. The latter have not held up. I'm down to 6 out of 12 original, first-quality bowls, because over time, cracks develop, invisible to examination, but which cause the bowls to overheat in the microwave. We warm oatmeal in these bowls and when the damage develops, the bowls have a different sound--a flat "clack"--when placed on our wood dining table. When empty, the damaged bowl can be held to the ear and slightly torqued, and we can hear the cracked clay rubbing against itself. It's a rough scraping sound. Eventually, they crack apart. Rather than have this happen when the bowl is in use, I take them out of use and carefully snap the bowl apart manually, by tapping. I use the fragments in the bottom of our plant pots. We have other ceramic and some glass bowls and plates that we use daily, and these are fine with routine, everyday use. They don't develop cracks. For the price, or even for half the price, I expect better wear. I've replaced some of my Heath cereal bowls with more Heath, but I'm not going to be a chump anymore, and am switching to a complementary make, so I can use my other Heath ware but have more reliable bowls. Edited to add: I've also read over some reviews and am disappointed with what seems to be overt racism in the factory outlet. Heath has not responded. In view of that: I'm over it. Heath won't be getting more of my business. They charge a lot of money for bowls and serving bowls that crack and fail, and they aren't welcoming. Fuggit. read more

If you're looking for "seconds" of their ceramics, then come to this location, as opposed to their SF locations. The selection here is not nearly as vast as their main SF location on 18th Street, and color options are also limited. As a result, this really limits your options if you want to mix and match. You can actually see the difference in many of their "seconds", if you look closely enough. Personally, if you're already dishing out (no pun intended, LOL! ) money for these investment pieces, then, I'd prefer not to settle for the "seconds." It isn't as if you're buying 20 place sets (at least I'm not), nor are you getting them for 50 percent off, or any insane bargain. Having said that, if you're just looking for a small seasonal flower vase for your office desk, then sure, why not. This location also offers a working factory tour, as does the 18th Street location. I took the tour at the 18th Street site, but was somewhat disappointed that no one was actually working that day. The tour took us through their work site, but you couldn't see anyone creating those beautiful pieces. I'm not sure how it works here, but I would check if you want to see their ceramics made before your very eyes. Outside of looking for "seconds", there's no need to make the haul to the North Bay, just to peruse their selection, as you'll find all you need at their SF locations, preferably their main store on 18th street. read more

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I'm always surprised by the lines that form outside this obscure location in Sausalito. If you come here, be careful when driving through the parking lot because there are often large puddles of water. The first time I came here, the line was too long and couldn't make it inside. This past Saturday, I came at 3:45 pm and there were about 5 groups ahead. It took around 30 minutes to get in, as they only let in the number of people that come out. Hand sanitizer was provided and required upon entry. Beware that bathrooms are not open to customers! The room is pretty small but there are a lot of plates, cups and tiles to look through. It was very well organized, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Remember to check through the dish ware thoroughly for bubbles or other noticeable imperfections before buying. read more

Heath Ceramics - Showroom Hours - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

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This is my kind of Mecca. I bought my way into the Heath club. And boy is it is fabulous! Not all factory outlets are created equal. The only one I've been to that I like this much is Ben & Jerry's in Vermont - where you can get the seconds pints for a buck and there's too much chocolate or chips or something else not at all awful. Meanwhile, Heath has 2nds for 25% off on their classic lines. You just have to take a close look to find the flaws that aren't a big deal. The color might be out of their acceptable range, but if you grab a set of plates that are all on the same end of the range they look fine. Best of all they're timeless, so you can just keep coming back until you have all the cups, bowls and plates you need. Worst-case scenario, you can pay full price on some pieces to complete your set. I purchased a set of blue rim plates and bowls and food looks so fabulous on them that it makes it more fun to cook. They also carry glasses, silverware and kitchen tools by other tasteful manufacturers. Great service. Several friendly folks come up to me as I circulated through the store. All were very knowledgable about the artful, entrepreneurial couple who have kept the Heath line alive. They let me know that new 2nds are added every week. Plus, they're dog-friendly. Well-behaved pups can join you in the store and they happily provide treats. read more

I love everything about this store. I mean, everything -- location, outside, inside, how things are arranged, and the things that are being arranged. So beautiful, so elegant, so simple, and timeless. Ahhhh only if everything in life was so tasteful. I love the "Seconds" wares, but even they are a bit expensive. Of course they are worth it, but I'm still at a place where I have to think twice to buy anything. It also means everything that has the Heath imprint is a treasure. They will be loved, and used frequently. Hoping to attend the factory tour sometime soon. read more

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How better to spend a Saturday than to make a pilgrimage to home of iconic Mid-Century Modern pottery maker Heath Ceramics? For fans of kitchen decor, Heath Ceramics holds a place at the top of design and quality for fans of mid century modern ceramics. Heath makes functional, practical pieces with a timeless clean design and crisp colors that will impress your dinner guests while being simple enough for daily use. They are famous for their bold, crisp colors, two tone matte glaze with lightly coarse exposed bases and rims. I was able to secure a place on a Saturday morning for their free factory tour which runs one hour and takes you through all corners of the factory. If I remember correctly, the tour maxes out at 12 people. Some factory facts that stood out to me: - Their wares are fired at low heat, about 50% below that of other ceramics makers. - Founder Edith Heath found a clay mix that could fire at the low heat so that the bold colors she wanted to use in the pieces wouldn't have to turn red or brown, what usually happens when colored pieces are fired at higher heats. They still pull clay from the same quarry that Edith Heath first used. - Everything is hand finished here. Handle molds are hand cut with a wire machine and applied by hand to the cup or pot. Airbrushed glazes are applied with an even hand to each piece before firing. - Two original kilns are on the main floor. Five additional kilns are in back in an attached building. - They are constantly experimenting with colors and glazes. The owners that took over Heath Ceramics from founder Edith Heath stayed true to the brand by continually working with new colors and combinations and renewed excitement in the brand over the past decade by releasing new color palettes each season. - Heath family members still work at the factory. The tour was very informative. Though it was a Saturday and they weren't actively producing anything in front of us, we got to see where they mixed the clay, made the molds, how they spin and mold the bowls, glazing stations, the kiln and quality control area. It's a must see for those who have a love for the ceramics making process. Most people that come to Heath in Sausalito don't come for the tour. The real prize is the onsite "Seconds" store. The store has first quality current line goods, second quality goods and tile samples. Second quality goods have slight imperfections and are priced at a 30% discount. The seconds are great if you want to stock up on some every day use plates or cups and don't mind barely or unnoticeable differences. How bad are the seconds? They look great! Some are more detectable than others, but none are horrendous nor do they have cracks in them. I looked through about 20 two tone tumblers to find "the best" one. If the item had a defect, it only had one defect, not multiple. Keeping this in perspective, these marks are very minor. If you buy a typical $5 plate at Target, it's going to have all sorts of imperfections but be considered first quality. At Heath they aim for perfection. This is what I noticed: Glaze Pinholes - Most glazed pottery that you get at Target or Ikea or wherever, you can see what looks like two holes that looked like a staple was pulled out. On Heath first quality items, you will not be able to detect any holes. Uneven base on the inside of the cup - When you look into the cup you can this, probably from sitting just a little off when it was being molded finished on the inside walls. Uneven Rim - Only saw this one one cup. Uneven Glaze Color - Very slight shadow, usually from a little extra glaze layer being painted on. Small Paint Bump - Very tiny bump, either due to an extra fleck of glaze or clay imperfection. Chipped base - Miniscule chip on the bottom of one of the cups. As I mentioned before, the seconds are great way for you to build up a collection at a reduced price. The defects are very minor if at all and I only mention them so that you get an idea of what to expect. I would have stocked up on more than just a cup but since I was flying back home I didn't think it would be practical to fit a large serving bowl or a set of plates in my bag. Twice a year they have a dedicated "seconds" warehouse sale where they put out a ton of stuff, this is in addition to their store's normal seconds offerings. I had not heard of Heath until a couple of years ago. But after looking at a few pieces, I found myself drawn to them, wanting to look at them over and over. I love mid century modern design so Heath was a natural fit for me. I'm a big fan of their matte and speckle glazes, their vibrant colors and the feel and balance of their wares in my hand. Sturdy and sleek but not too heavy or too light. Many of their bolder color combos are season one offs which make them highly collectible. Heath pieces maintain their value on the secondary market very well. If you're in Sausalito for an afternoon, treat yourself to a few pieces of Heath! read more

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Concur with some of the past reviews, staff here is not proactive and no one bothered to help anybody quite frankly. After rummaging around the store for an hour, I came up to the register with all the plates and they told me some are mixed 1st and 2nd. I told them I had grabbed it all from the side wall and she said they must've been mixed up. By that time the shop was packed. Not one staff person offered to help me look for some of the plates after that debacle. Especially the young girl at the register. She was slow to react, looks at you dumbfounded and not trained at customer service at all. When the shop got busy, it's even more nuts, wonder why there's no crowd control since we're still in Covid land? The staff wanders around with their hands crossed behind their back. Is it worth almost $50 for a bowl? Unsure. I did snag a nice flower vase that was nearly 33% off hence the 1 star. Don't come here expecting helpful service if you're about to drop $500 on dishes. read more

It pains me to write this review but I am so so disappointed. We put a Heath ceramics set on our wedding registry, in June 2022 (the coupe line) and two of the items have already chipped. A plate and a bowl. Neither were dropped and both chipped from coming into contact with other dishes. The plate I know for sure came into contact with a glass Pyrex bowl. Now if we had dropped these or they encountered some other major catastrophe such as a move, I would understand, but for the price I really expected these to be better quality. We thought they'd be our forever dishes and 1 1/2 years later it seems that is not the case. Two stars because they're beautiful. read more

Heath Ceramics - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

Love Heath! We've been here several times before, once for the factory tour, but this was our first time at a "seconds" sale, which I believe they do biannually. We are building up quite a collection of Heath and aside from two bowls, the rest were purchased here as "seconds." Often times it's just the glaze not being precise, rather than there being a chip or a dent. We've even stumbled upon a pair of plates that were a custom order and its glaze color was totally unique. We are always able to find imperfectly perfect pairs to bring home even when there isn't a "seconds" sale, so of course we had to visit a sale! We were surprised to see so much inventory since we came on the second day, and the crowd was manageable. We ended up getting four plates and a large salad bowl for our friend. Can't wait for our next visit! read more

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Swoon. What's not to love about hand made tiles and ceramics, well procured home and kitchen items and supporting local artisan craftsmen? Pricey, yes - and not every item is my style. But I truly appreciate Heath, whether it's the overstock tile shed for home projects, searching for the right house warming gift or serving platter, or just a little walk around the shop for inspiration and ideas. It's an iconic local brand for good reason. read more

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Beautiful modern minimalist-style pottery that'll set you back a pretty penny. After lunch at nearby Fish, our friends suggested we take a walk to this place to check out their wares. One of our friends is a pottery aficionado and had been to this place a lot. They do indeed have really nice stuff, and not just ceramics. There was also furniture, kitchen stuff and jewelry, among other things and we had a nice time browsing through all of it. It sure ain't cheap, though. I cringed when I saw a kid accidentally break something. Not sure if they have a "break it you buy it" policy. Bottom line: don't bring overexcited creatures (human or otherwise) into this store. read more

Beautiful store. I've purchased mostly seconds and outlet items (I think they're seconds that have been discounted more?) from Heath and have only had to make one full price purchase (YOLO). Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. I love their bud vases and cafe latte bowls. Most of the stuff along the walls and back are discounted seconds. And sometimes it's hard to find anything wrong with "seconds". Haven't had time to go on a tour but if you're in line at the bathroom, you'll get a peek of the factory. Everything is pretty heavy. I have a hardshell suitcase and all of the items I've bought from Heath have survived a trip home in a check-in suitcase. I used clothing as additional padding or Amazon air pockets (ask your host ;)) If you can't make it out to the store, they do sell online and have an annual online sale in November. read more

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We visited a few weeks back. Their tour wasn't obvious, so we didn't go on it. However, we did spend a lot of time browsing their shop. Lots of really cute and chic items, like you'd find on the design blogs, but awfully expensive. Our eyes bugged out when we looked at the price tags. What?!? $50 for a rather plain looking small plate?!?! Well, it is made on the spot and it isn't a cheap knock-off imported from overseas. Even though it looks just like the $1.99 beige plate from IKEA, remember where IKEA got the idea from! :) They have some little items for foodie chefs, like cookbooks, Weck glass jars in many sizes (super cute!), and some home decor items. I picked up a small (about 4" tall - see photo) vase in the deeply discounted section and it was still almost $20. Parking is easy right outside their shop. Google directions are not accurate, however, Yelp map is right. read more

Heath Ceramics - discounted (second quality) 4" mini vase in matte chartreuse glaze. still almost $20! - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

Love coming here every time I'm in our just driving by. They have seasonal collections and even if you aren't ready to commit to a whole dinner ware set, they have individual stand out pieces that match any bold or more muted pastel color palette. Vases Plates Mugs Teapot Ice cream bowls Tiles And so much more I started with the perfect cup and realized that I wanted more of the same cup but in all the diff colors. I personally don't like the sandy textures on the lil of the chips but the employees did assure me that the roughness will go away with use read more

Heath Ceramics - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

We paid over $1000 for a five piece place setting of Heath's David Mellnor Chelsea flatware less than one year ago. It is called dish washer safe. Sadly, the handles, especially of the knives are very scratched just from mild every day use and mild dishwasher soap. I cannot recommend this product. They look very worn. read more

Gorgeous hand crafted tile from California. The sales staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

I don't know why it took me so long to discover the Sausalito store after being so obsessed with this brand for so long! Prior to my venture into the "promise land" I've perused Heath online and via boutique stores. But after venturing into their factory store, yes factory.....I can now make bigger purchases for Heath products here. That's because every item is discounted at least 25% compared to other retail channels! That is significant savings when trying to purchase a set of 6 for $30 plates. This location offers all styles and colors as depicted on their website. As well as non-ceramic goodies you need for your kitchen/home. I will definitely be back! read more

Heath Ceramics - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

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Props to Liz S for the educational review because I was not understanding the idea behind a 72$ cereal bowl. It was a beautiful bowl but not 72$ beautiful. A friend recommended this place because back when this pandemic started, she was stuck at home buying take out from Atelier Crenn--yes, THAT Atelier Crenn--and serving them on Corelle plates and that was just all kinds of wrong. So she started a collection of mismatched plates, bowls and cups but because of the price point, it's definitely a slow build. She also told me about this elusive bottom shelf towards the windows where she once snagged 12$ plates. Sadly, I did not find that shelf because I dropped 97$ on three. I agree with other reviewers about the subpar service. One of the staff was rearranging the display of plates I wound up buying without so much as an excuse me or acknowledgment because at this point she was all up in my grill and we were not socially distanced. I thought she was actually a fellow patron who was both enamored by the quality and annoyed by the exorbitant prices and was trying to fight me for them 30$ plates. Turns out she was just irritated at me because I was messing up the display to get to my desired colors but I feel like if you're gonna make me drop 100$ on 3 plates the least you can do is say pardon. Dang. I'll be back though, anyone can have a bad day. read more

Disappointed that Heat offered me only 10% discount to replace a defective item. It got a crack soon after the purchase read more

Heath Ceramics - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

Love Heath. My entire cupboard is Heath now. Amazing locally crafted product built to last a lifetime. Keep your eye out for occasional sales and one of a kind seasonal items. If you are lucky enough to live near the factory in Sausalito, check out their pile of "seconds" which can look almost indistinguishable from a "perfect" piece. I highly recommend the factory tour they offer. I was lucky enough to attend a working factory tour which is memorable. read more

Heath Ceramics - Love my Heath! - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

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Marissa is knowledgeable and passionate about helping customers in a genuine and authentic way. read more

Heath Ceramics - Marissa epitomizes what it is to genuinely help customers - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

Not many things are manufactured in Marin County but Heath has called Sausalito home since 1948. Their mid-century ceramic tableware and tile pieces are simple, exquisite and timeless. Dinnerware sets are $90 - $300. The ceramics are heavy and durable, with lovely muted neutral colors. Be sure to inspect the second quality pieces closely as the defects vary from slightly uneven glaze to chipped edges. The Sausalito factory store carries first quality, second quality, samples, overstock and clearance items from Heath, along with quality wares from other companies, some local others not. It's a lovely shop filled with gifts for foodies and design enthusiasts. They carry candles, glass jewelry, Lodge cast iron cookware, flatware, Weck glass storage jars, table linens, wood cutting boards, Blue Bottle Coffee, jams, greeting cards and cookbooks. The kids section has design conscious books and toys. Even the Heath tote bags and t-shirts are stylish. My picks: * Ceramic tile Neutra house numbers * Weck glass jars (the juice carafes are cute & affordable at under $5 each, they have a much wider variety than Crate & Barrel) I'm intrigued by the cheesemaking kits. read more

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Not only does Heath create the same quality ceramics as they have since Edith's day, they are now carrying Blue Bottle Coffee. I believe this is the only location in Marin. Of course, you can order it online, but why would you when you can visit the store, browse the "seconds", books, linens & other local works of art? Some days I come here late just to try to get locked in overnight. (Slightly kidding.) read more

Heath Ceramics - Home Decor Near Me - Sausalito, California

"The story of Edith Heath is the story of American Modernism" - from "Heath Ceramics, the Story of Simplicity" by Amos Klausner For over 50 years, Heath Ceramics has been making beautiful tableware and tile in its Sausalito factory, using the same methods started by its founder Edith Heath when she converted her at-home studio operation into a space that was big enough to produce commercial product. The style is mid-century modern, very minimal, very Bauhaus, and is as relevant today as it was when she received her first order from Gump's in 1944 after they saw her show at the Legion of Honor. Years of focusing on producing beautiful wares has resulted in the achievement of many different colors and glazes. Along with being part of the permanent collection at MOMA, you can find Heath tableware at stores such as Friend, The Gardener, and Barney's New York. You may have eaten off of her plates at either Chez Panisse or the Slanted Door, who have commissioned their own unique designs from Heath. Her tiles are a staple product at Ann Sachs stores. And right in our own backyard is the original factory, which still makes every single product sold, under the careful watch of their trained experts. While Edith Heath died about year ago, the company was bought in 2003 by Catherine Bailey and Robin Petravic, who are dedicated to the original vision of the company and determined to preserve its artistry, aesthetic and craftsmanship. That means keeping the factory in operation as is and not saving costs by moving production overseas. The prices of these ceramics reflect what it takes to maintain this integrity. Because they use top materials, do many of the manufacturing steps by hand, treat their employees fairly, and custom make every order, this means that you are not going to pay the same prices as at Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel. But when you see the simplistic beauty and quality of the pieces, it is easy to tell the difference between this product and mass produced items from overseas. They have a weight and a patina that begs you to touch them, and the colors are gorgeous. Luckily for us, we can go visit the factory store 7 days a week. There you will find 2nds and overstocks at reduced prices, including pieces from the Chez Panisse and Slanted Door designs. In addition to the ceramics, they a small selection of things like Lotta Jansdotter aprons, Miette cookies, Rechutti chocolates, Pancake and Franks letterpress cards, Chez Panisse cookbooks, and the recent "Heath Ceramics" book by Amos Klausner. On Saturdays and Sundays at 11, you can also take a free factory tour. If you are interested, keep your eyes open for their Open Studio days. Right now, May 5-6, they are having Open Studios, which includes: - hourly factory tours with a chance to do your own hand-glazed tile at the end (I took one yesterday and it was fascinating) - 15% off everything in the factory store, including dinnerwear, tile, home, and one of a kind samples. - BBQ and live music to enhance your visit The factory tour is excellent, and a rare treat to see the original machinery from the 50's and 60's, as well as their well-trained employees executing their craft. They also have a wedding registry available. Pieces make a beautiful gift for someone or for yourself. I have several pieces, and I am saving my pennies to buy a set of dishes that I know will give me pleasure every day, and last a lifetime. Plus, I am proud to support a local company who still believes in the beauty of hand-crafted design. We try to eat locally grown food - why not take it one step further and eat on locally made tableware? Go and check out this local treasure. read more

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This was easily my favourite part of my current trip to San Francisco. Just a short ferry and then an Uber ride away, the Heath Ceramics Sausalito factory is where this well known ceramic range took off. I don't say began because after taking their free walking tour of the factory, I discovered it actually started in the basement of the Heath's house before they purchased the land and built the factory on it's current site in the 50s. The Sausalito Factory is where the Heath dinnerware range is made (their tiles are made in their Mission factory) and the weekly walking tours are a great way to get a behind the scenes look into how these pieces are made and hear the history of the brand. Just some fun facts, for example: Did you know they kiln 6-9,000 pieces each week? Or that is takes 6 months for their creative director to create a new glaze colour? Or that each piece of Heath Ceramics is made up of about 20-30% recycled clay? Afterwards, if you want a little momento to take home, this is also home to their seconds store where pieces are 30% off retail price. There's nothing structurally wrong with the pieces, they just may not have, for example, glazed the precise colour or had bubbles in the finish. Do keep in mind that this doesn't mean the pieces are automatically fire sale cheap, but, you should still be able to find something within price range. I picked up one of their iconic bud vases for $15USD. If you are in any way interested in ceramics and how they're made then this is certainly worth the trip if only for the view across the bay as you take the ferry across to Sausalito. read more

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Heath Ceramics is known for their simple, matte ceramics that have a mid-century look. This outlet sells both 1st and 2nd quality goods, as well as cookbooks, glasswares, towels, cast iron pans and other fancy kitchen wares. Another section of the store was dedicated to tiles. Most of the stuff is discounted about 20-30%, but it's still sort of expensive. I picked up two deep plates for about $50. The clearance section is discounted further, but many of the goods were obviously flawed. The service at the counter was very friendly and they thoroughly wrapped my packages. read more

This review is for the staff. The staff here are not friendly at all...I went today with my family and did not get a single hello or thank you for your business. We spent a good amount of money there... but even my 3 year old couldn't get a smile out of the lady behind the check out desk. Sad! read more

Edith Heath was a ceramicist specializing in beautiful ceramic tableware and architectural tiles for buildings. She was a trailblazer whose work ignited the mid-century pottery movement in California in the 40s-60s. If you're familiar with modern architecture and design you will instantly recognize her work everywhere - from the permanent collection at New York MOMA, from buildings in the pages of Wallpaper Magazine, to the tiles on the Yerba Buena Center and Chez Panisse. Even Frank Lloyd Wright used to specify that Edith Heath tableware be used in his projects. Anyway she operated out of this cool workshop on one of Sausalito's back streets. You can still visit today and shop in the large front room where all of her tableware and tiles are available. But ... don't miss the seconds room in the back. We redid an entire room in these beautiful OG Edith Heath tiles that we bought in the seconds room and paid about 1/6 of what we would have paid for basic tiles in a SF design store. Not to mention that to get to the seconds room you have to walk right through the heart of the workshop, past the tables where the ceramics are shaped and the giant kilns where everything is baked which is worth the trip in and of itself. Edith Heath died a few years ago but you can still very much feel her spirit here. Don't miss this. read more

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