Cosima’s

world
Cosima Sempill has
wowed the art world
with her unusual
ceramics. She has set
her sights on conquering
Edinburgh’s interior
design scene next.
Ronda Carman meets
the ambitious and
talented artist.
Photography by: Ian Monk
“
It is VERY important to me to be surrounded
by beautiful things, fabulous COLOUR
and interesting patterns.
It keeps the creativity flowing
”
H
eavily influenced by a creative family and
an early childhood spent in South Africa,
ceramic artist Cosima Sempill flourishes as
a creative soul, moving from strength to strength
across a variety of creative industries. After a four-
year study of ceramics at the Glasgow School of
Art, Cosima moved back home to Edinburgh in
2005 to embark on a new chapter of her unfolding
career.
Coming from a very well-connected family – her
great-great-grandfather was Glasgow Boy Sir John
Lavery – Cosima has not been afraid to eschew her
connections in favour of thriving on her own. Very
much a talent in her own right, she is the artist
behind the popular, quirky and unique ceramics of
Kitty & Dude. Mixing kitschy ceramic forms with
funky decals, Cosima creates dainty mugs with
pistol handles, fragile cupcakes, flying pigs and
non-stackable Russian Dolls. “I love people’s
response to the wit in my work. It's great when
customers pick up a Kitty & Dude piece and
giggle or point something out to their friends.”
The fun and fanciful name was conceived after
playing with some typewriter letters and the
ethos behind Kitty & Dude is very simple. It’s
all about making design accessible and fun.
Cosima has chosen a wholly tongue in cheek
approach to her chosen medium. “Kitty &
Dude gives me a bit of anonymity while
keeping the name Cosima Sempill for my
bespoke pieces,” she explains.
The ceramicist now works out of one of the
most respected artists’ studios in Edinburgh.
“Initially I started creating ceramics from my
parents’ garage and later moved into the Adam
Pottery,” she recalls. While working
independently at the Adam Pottery, both in the
creative and business sense, Cosima was
surrounded by kindred spirits with communal
interests, but she decided to move to Coburg
House Studios, which is closer to her Leith
home. “It is fantastic to experience life in a
working studio. I have met some of Scotland's
most talented artists through my involvement
with the studio and I get to work with them on Opposite page, from top: The bedroom plays host to many of
Cosima’s vintage pieces; Cosima Sempill; the vintage styling is
comfortable as well as chic. This page: Cosima’s work space is
well-used and full of character.
a day-to-day basis, swapping ideas and giving
each other feedback.”
Back at home, the self-proclaimed vintage
ceramic junkie has filled her own personal
space with bits of lustre ware, porcelain jugs,
plates, cups and saucers, enamelware, 1950s
glasses and vintage garments. “It is very
important to me to be surrounded by beautiful
things, fabulous colour and interesting
patterns. I find it uplifting and the visual
display stimulates my mind and keeps the
creativity flowing.”
The rooms of her Leith home brim with
second-hand finds, quirky artwork, and, of
course, her own designs. Vintage clothes, some
of which, she says, "are just too good to wear"
hang like fine art. Sprinkled throughout one
finds peculiar knick-knacks picked up on
travels holding small possessions and jewellery,
while a pair of salt and pepper shakers bought
by a friend in Johannesburg take pride of place
on her dressing table.
Each of Cosima’s funky finds and vintage
treasures sit happily side by side in a way that
is neither haphazard nor contrived. The result
is a marriage of contrasts and colours that
 Opposite page: The cosy kitchen boasts an Aga and
vintage kitchenalia. This page, from top: The spare room
plays host to a selection of Kitty & Dude ceramics; More
Kitty & Dude goodies; the master bedroom.

delight both the aesthetic and intellectual

senses. “The imagery and the palette of
South Africa will always be ingrained in
my subconscious – the country heavily
influences my design choices. In school
my tutors would constantly comment on
my ‘fearless use of colour’ and the use of
humour in my work,” she says with a
rueful smile.
As with all good design, Cosima has
created a liveable showcase for her
collections. Whilst heavily influenced by
classical design, it is the hefty doses of
everything 1950s that set her creative
juices flowing. “I love the bold patterns
and palette of that era. It’s the confident,
new and shiny, post-war optimism in
1950s design that really thrills me.”
In a day and age where many are quick
to toss off the old, divest themselves of
heirlooms and discard general bric-a-
brac, one can't fail to notice the
wonderful charity shop finds collected for
 Above: The monochrome bathroom oozes classic glamour.
Right: Cosima mixes modern design with vintage pieces.

antiquarian, sentimental, decorative or other

interest. Certainly friends and acquaintances
took notice of her unique and plucky style.
“Friends are always seeking my advice on
decorating or commenting on the ease in
which I put together rooms.”
It is somewhat unsurprising then, that
Cosima recently decided to add another
string to the Kitty & Dude bow. Following
in the footsteps of her mother, Josephine
Sempill, founder of Vanburgh Interiors, she
launched her own interior styling service.
“Moving into interior styling seemed a
natural extension of my art. When it comes
to decorating, many people will chicken out
“It’s the CONFIDENT,
and play it safe. I want to help others bring
their rooms to life with a playful, yet
curated take on design.”
new and shiny, post-war
Currently gathering interiors shots for her
portfolio and website, she is set to take on
the next chapter of her fancifully talented
OPTIMISM in 1950s design
life. If the past few years are any indication
of what is to come, the future looks bright
for Cosima Sempill.
that really
For further information see
www.kittyanddude.co.uk. Cosima can also
be contacted through Coburg House
Studios,15 Coburg Street, Edinburgh, by
phone 07884335692, or email
thrills me”
cosima@kittyanddude.co.uk.