With Mother’s Day fast approaching on Sunday, May 10, we take a moment to celebrate super mums and the incredible women who inspire us every day.
This year, we're thrilled to feature Kate, the founder of The Ginger Jar Lamp Co., who originally hails from South Devon, UK.
After moving to Hong Kong as newlyweds with her husband, Paolo, they spent 13 years living on and around MacDonnell Road before relocating to Bath, UK, in 2023.
As a mother to two daughters aged 14 and 10, Kate beautifully balances her roles as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. And her creations reflect love and warmth—perfect gifts for Mother's Day.
Join us as we explore Kate's journey, her passion for blue and white ceramics, and what makes her products so special.
Kate, thank you for taking the time to answer all of our questions! Let's not waste any time and jump right into your amazing journey!
What inspired you to found The Ginger Jar Lamp Co.?
I started my business in 2016. Inspiration struck during a last-minute trip to Zhuhai with some friends - we visited a local antiques market and discovered piles of dusty ginger jars - decorative ceramic jars which were once used to export spices (like ginger). I decided to have one made up into a lamp at a small shop there, then a few days later had my true 'light bulb' moment - to start making ginger jar lamps as a business.
We gather you are a fan of the ever-elegant blue and white ceramics. Do you remember when this love began?
I grew up being surrounded by antiques and beautiful objects, as my mum and dad always loved to shop for treasures & unique pieces, so I think that was my first, unconscious source of inspiration. But it was moving to Hong Kong and buying things for our first flat that I really started honing my taste for Asian design, in particular. During an afternoon stroll along Hollywood Rd one weekend, I popped into one of the many antiques shops and immediately fell in love with an old Double Happiness ginger jar – it was the first I had seen in real life, having only hankered after them in design books until that time. That moment really cemented my love of blue and white, and my collection grew from there. And that piece in particular, although unconsciously at the time, would one day form the foundation of my business - the Double Happiness jar now forms part of my logo.
Can you tell us about the craftsmanship behind the vintage jars you use?
We source our vintage stock of ginger jars in Jingdezhen, the heartland of China’s blue & white ceramic production. Each piece is hand-made & painted following centuries-old traditions and is part of a strong history of storytelling. Our collection includes a range of designs, from flora & fauna to Chinese characters & mythical creatures - every piece has its own auspicious meaning according to Chinese culture; to impart wishes for a happy marriage, wishes for a long life, good fortune or success, for example.
What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in starting your business?
Finding the right suppliers – I had a couple of false starts with both my lamp manufacturer and my lamp shade maker before finding the partners I work with now, whom I have worked with very successfully for many years.
How do you develop new designs for your lamps?
Most of our lamps are made from vintage ginger jars, whose hand-finished patterns have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. Our contemporary take on the traditional ginger jar are our Hong Kong and Singapore designs, which are dedicated to these vibrant world cities. HK came first as a homage to the city I called home for 13 years. It is the most inspiring place in the world to me, full of energy and life and colour. I find inspiration for new designs everywhere, for example, from a selection of tropical fruits at the market - their perfectly complementary palette may inspire me to source similar coloured fabrics for a new lamp shade collection.
With your product range expanding to include lamps, tablecloths, tote bags, coasters, and more, if you had to choose, what would be your absolute favorite item and why?
I have always wanted to create items that I would want in my own home, so to me, each piece has its charm and part to play in creating a beautiful home and adding joyful touches to everyday life. But if I had to pick, I’d say our newest collection of tableware is something I am most proud of recently. We have created mixed sets of placemats and coasters, based on my own treasured collection of antique Chinese porcelain plates. The colours and patterns are so vivid and they add a sense of occasion to even the simplest tablescape.
Having lived in Hong Kong, what do you miss most about the city and its culture?
The buzz and the energy of daily life. You don’t have to be doing anything out of the ordinary to appreciate the simplest things. A walk in HK park, which we lived near to, provided a wonderful mix – from exotic bird song, vibrant florals and swaying palms, to the many languages spoken by tourists as they marvelled at the skyscrapers. I miss the blend of old and new, too, and how the urban and natural landscapes collide. I still hanker for the hiking trails and beaches, which we spent many happy hours on.
Now that you're based in the UK, do you see yourself incorporating more British touches into your designs, or will you continue focusing on the Asian aesthetic?
Asia will always be at the very heart of our business - its appeal is universal, loved by our customers in HK and all over the world.
What has been the most memorable feedback you’ve received from customers?
I have had so many wonderful comments over the years, but most have spoken about the joy and happiness their lamps (and other items) bring. They’re often bought as a special gift to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, leaving token, or perhaps a new house move. I love to think of our creations playing an integral part in the fabric of our many customers’ beautiful homes.
What does selling your products to Bookazine mean for you and your brand?
Bookazine is a Hong Kong institution; a place to browse and ponder, to shop for oneself, the home, friends, and family. It is an honour to see my pieces on the shelves, alongside other local and international brands. It is wonderful to be able to introduce my collection to new customers and to be represented by such a steadfast and trusted partner.
What are your future aspirations for The Ginger Jar Lamp Co.?
I would love to develop my network of retail partners in other major world cities – we already proudly work with amazing businesses in (as well as HK) the US, Japan, Singapore, and Dubai, but would love to be stocked in NYC, London (Liberty is my ultimate aim!), and Sydney. I want to be the first name people think of when they consider meaningful lighting and Chinoiserie-inspired pieces for the home.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the creative field?
Trust your gut instinct and start a business in something you are truly passionate about – as the old adage goes, ‘Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Despite having no formal industry knowledge or experience (my background is in PR and marketing), I have never looked back. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and I have always had the desire to create something for myself and build a brand. I have always been interested in design and, specifically, beautiful interiors and objects. My many travels and periods spent living abroad have helped shape my eclectic, colourful, detail-oriented design style, and my business is a source of great joy to me. So, I’d ask aspiring entrepreneurs, what makes your heart sing? What has been an enduring and lifelong interest? I think once you have that answer, you can begin to build a business around it.
Thank you, Kate. Here's to much success for you in the future, and wishing you and all mothers a Happy Mother's Day from Bookazine!
You can find The Ginger Jar Lamp Co. products sold at Bookazine stores and online, including the 'Hong Kong Homage' Ginger Jar Mini, newly introduced 'Antique Chinese Plates' Placemats & Coasters, and market bags. Don’t miss out on the beautiful blue and white Chinoiserie ornaments that add a lovely touch to any home, especially perfect for celebrating the super mums in our lives this Mother's Day!
Link to products below
The Ginger Jar Lamp Co.
