At Home with Ceramist Kel Bignal
To launch our "At Home" series, we visited ceramicist Kel Bignal in her sun-drenched Currumbin home and studio. Surrounded by her handmade ceramics, Kel shared how she curates her space to reflect comfort, creativity, and personality. From her favorite morning ritual on the verandah to the kitchen filled with handmade tableware, Kel's home is a sanctuary where art and daily life intertwine.
Follow Kel Bignal on Instagram to keep up with her creative journey and at-home rituals: @kellybignellstudio
What does your home mean to you?
To me, my space is a reflection of comfort, creativity, and personality. As someone who spends a lot of time at home and works from home, it's important that my environment feels cozy, inspiring, and uniquely mine. It's filled with art, textures, and homewares I've carefully chosen — and of course, my handmade ceramics, each piece carrying meaning or sparking joy. It's not just a place to live or work, but a curated collection of my favorite things that make me feel grounded, calm, and creatively motivated.
What's your favourite ritual or routine in this space?
One of my favourite daily rituals is that quiet moment after the morning rush. After the boys are fed and my eldest is off to school, I take the time to reset the space with a tidy-up, then make myself something delicious for breakfast. I sit out on the verandah, soaking up the sun — somehow it always feels like summer out there, even in the middle of winter. It's also where my pottery wheel lives, so I often take a moment to plan out the creative part of my day while enjoying that peaceful sunshine. It's a simple ritual, but it grounds me and sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Which part of your home feels the most "you," and why?
The kitchen and dining area feel the most like me. I love cooking for my boys and using all the handmade ceramics. Setting the table beneath my silk pendant lamp is a little daily joy — it casts the softest light over everything. The dining space flows naturally into the kitchen, and I love how it all comes to life when the table is full of food, ceramics, and a little beautiful mess. It's a space that feels warm and creative.
Where do you find inspiration for the way you've shaped your space?
My space is small, so I've shaped it to feel as open and airy as possible. It's quite minimal and really inspired by our relaxed coastal lifestyle. We don't have fly screens on the windows or a screen door, so there's a beautiful sense of openness to the outdoors. The sea breeze flows through, and natural light fills the space, which makes even the smallest corners feel bright and calm. For me, it's all about creating a space that feels effortless and lived in.
What kind of creative work do you do and how does it live in your home?
I've touched on this a little already... I'm a ceramicist, and I create functional art and tableware that's designed to be used and enjoyed every day. My work lives throughout my home, and I truly believe that ceramics can transform small, everyday rituals into something more intentional and beautiful. Creating from home is such a natural fit for me — it's something I also have in mind when designing and making.
“Kel’s home is a beautiful reflection of her creativity, her daily rituals, and the warmth she brings to everything she makes. From her ceramics to the little moments that shape her day, it’s a space full of inspiration and heart. Stay tuned for more stories in our “At Home” series, where we’ll continue to explore the spaces and rituals of creatives we love.”