QwkDog Design is a creative studio specializing in interior design, custom fabric creation, furniture refinishing, and upholstery, with a focus on styles from the 1930s to 1950s. The studio transforms spaces and objects into timeless works of art by blending historical design elements with personalized craftsmanship. From restoring vintage furniture and crafting bespoke fabric patterns and designs to creating thoughtfully designed interiors, QwkDog Design delivers exceptional quality with authentic mid-century style and meticulous attention to detail.

At the heart of QwkDog Design is a deep love of design and collecting, with a special focus on pottery and decorative arts from the 1930s to 1950s. This passion informs every project, inspiring a unique blend of historical appreciation and creative innovation that brings mid-century charm and character to every custom piece and interior space.

Where the pottery lives

In 2022, we bought and renovated an 1860 farmhouse in Down East coastal Maine. Learn more about the renovation and interior design work. (And see, of course, where the pottery lives!)

California Colored Pottery

PACIFIC POTTERY HOSTESSWARE

Pacific launched their iconic Hostessware dinnerware line in 1932. In its ten-year run, Pacific produced almost 200 pieces in a wide variety of bright, cheerful colors. Learn more about Hostessware and explore one of the most comprehensive collections in the world.

DECORATED HOSTESSWARE

The creative talent at Pacific Clay added flair to Hostessware with the 1934 launch of their decorated ware. Pacific produced over 50 different in-glazed designs, many one-of-a-kind, in the few years that the patterns were in production. Delve into this comprehensive pattern guide with close to 200 examples.

INFORMAL!

Informal is a complete as-we-know it guide to Pacific Pottery and their iconic Hostessware dinnerware line. Meticulously researched, Informal is an illustrated guide to all of the known Hostessware pieces — including decorated lines — with visuals, designs, and photographs. The book is available through the online publishing company Blurb.

Bauer Pottery

Bauer Pottery was founded by John Andrew (J.A.) Bauer in the late 1800s in Paducah, Kentucky. Seeing opportunity in California, he moved the company to the Lincoln Heights district in Los Angeles in 1910 and produced a range of stoneware, kitchenware and gardenware. Their production facility was located at 415-421 West Avenue 33, just a few blocks away from Pacific Clay Products‘ plant #4. The company marketed their first solid-color dinnerware, a plainware line called “California Colored Pottery” in 1930.

Image: “Window Gazing,” ©2021 QwkDog Design

Harry Bird for Vernon Kilns

The artist and potter William “Harry” Bird designed for Vernon Kilns and Bauer in the mid- to late-1930s. Bird pioneered the in-glazing technique of decorating, also used by Pacific Pottery on their decorated ware starting around 1935. All of Harry Bird’s designs were produced on Vernon’s “Montecito” shape (used in Early California and lines). In the few short years he worked at Vernon, he produced dozens of patterns including an expansive “Flower” series with close to 30 different designs.

Harry Bird for Vernon Kilns, “Desert Mallow,” more on the Flower series

Harry Bird for Vernon Kilns, “Tropical Fish,” more on the Fish series

Harry Bird for Vernon Kilns, “B-300,” more on the Spectrum series