We spoke with interior and lifestyle photographer Irina, known as A Well-Designed Egg, about her choices of CAST and RIM collections from KINTO for her own tableware and glassware. She shared what drew her to the designs and how these pieces suit her Bavarian home.
What made you choose KINTO for your tableware?
"All collections by KINTO are designed with ease of movement in mind. For a person who values simple yet elegant designs - and dislikes sacrificing practicality for beauty - the CAST and RIM collections by KINTO represent more than tableware, they embody lifestyle. Designs from both collections complement the clean, calming, yet lived-in aesthetic of my home while being fully functional pieces in everyday moments.
For my home, I chose to mix these two particular collections and I had clear reasons behind my choices."
What made you choose CAST Collection?
1. Simplicity in Design
"The idea of 'Uninterfering design' resonates deeply with me. The lack of ornate details also ensures the tableware doesn’t compete with my space’s overall design but rather complements its tranquility."
2. Harmony with Natural Elements
"My space highlights natural materials like wood, linen, and stone. The glass and metal elements of the CAST collection blend seamlessly into this aesthetic, creating a harmonious interplay between contrasting materials."
3. Practical Elegance
"Functional design is central to my home, and the CAST collection excels in this aspect. The ergonomic handles, lightweight construction, variety of volumes/shapes, and stackable forms of the cups ensure that every piece feels intuitive and effortless to use. The items are also dishwasher safe, making them suitable for everyday use."
4. Versatility
"Whether we’re enjoying a family morning with tea or coffee or hosting a gathering, the versatile nature of the CAST collection allows it to adapt seamlessly to different occasions and table stylings. Its understated elegance ensures it feels just as appropriate during intimate moments as it does for more elaborate setups."
What made you choose RIM collection?
1. My Personal (Life)style
"In my profile bio on my Instagram, you can see the intro 'Lost somewhere between Nordic & Japanese #habitableminimalism' - and in the description of the RIM collection on the KINTO website, you’ll find these words: 'RIM has a distinctive rim design, incorporating essences of both Japanese and European tableware'. Clearly, the RIM collection and I were meant for each other!"
2. The Color
"Those subtle tints of muted 'earthy' blue, a characteristic of the porcelain made in the Hasami region of Japan - with my love for introducing blue accents into my space - it was irresistible for me! This blue complements perfectly both the dining area with our 70-years-old dining table made of solid teak wood and our black+greige minimalist kitchen, adding visual interest and softness to its monochrome look (and I’ve had a soft spot for the black-and-blue color palette for quite some time already)."
3. Design
A short side note - my partner is a purely technical person, and usually meets all my “design talks” with a kind smile. But when I try to prove to him that particular design decisions have reasons behind them and directly impact the functionality of the object - he takes it seriously! He immediately arranges a “test drive” for objects in question to confirm or bust the statement. All KINTO tableware passed his test.
4. A Touch of Japanese Philosophy
"One of the defining features of Japanese design to me is its connection to Japanese philosophy, which celebrates imperfection and authenticity. I specifically chose pieces in the earth gray color, keeping in mind that the earth gray plates have a gentle yet unique expression, made by utilizing clay containing iron powders which are normally considered impurities. Such imperfections and 'impurities' are precious to me."
What spaces/interior styles can benefit from CAST and RIM collections by KINTO?
"A wide range of homes and public, and/or commercial spaces like hotels and restaurants, every space where elegance and functionality, working in tandem, are appreciated. All of my favorite interior styles: Japanese, Japandi, Nordic/Scandinavian, and Warm (or 'Soft') Minimalist spaces are among the first that come to my mind."
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Irina Ulasevich, A Well Designed Egg
A Well Designed Egg explores interiors, styling, design objects, wall art, and minimalist travel stays. Founded by Irina, an interior and product photographer based in Bavaria, her work blends Nordic and Japanese minimalism with a warm, asymmetrical balance.
