Kelsie Rudolph Distills Historic French Forms Into Ceramic Objects

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Walking through the streets of France, it’s impossible not to miss the arches, curves, and symmetry that define its historic architecture. From grand facades and towering pillars to intimate doorways, archways, and even lampposts, these details shape the rhythm of French architecture. For Montana-based artist Kelsie Rudolph, they became the starting point for DOUX, her latest collection of sculptural ceramics. Rather than replicating buildings, Rudolph distills their essence into softened forms that feel familiar yet entirely modern.

With DOUX, Rudolph deepens her architectural expression. The pieces balance curved and angular geometries to evoke feeling. “I’m interested in how line and curve can emulate emotion, as well as how architecture can influence emotion,” Rudolph shares with Design Milk. The 6-piece collection features a palette of creamy whites and soft grays with subtle green undertones – hues reminiscent of the storied French buildings yet versatile enough to complement contemporary interiors. Designed as both statement stools and understated side tables, DOUX bridges classic and modern with quiet ease.

A minimalist bedroom with a black metal bed frame, a white bedside stool, a single candlestick with an unlit candle, and a draped white sheet on the floor

Two geometric, gray sculptural objects sit in a minimalist room draped with translucent white fabric. One object is on a table, the other is on the floor near a window

A green velvet sofa next to a white sculptural side table with a candle and a metal box on top, against a white wall with a plastic sheet on the floor

Two sculptural, gray, geometric stools with flared bases are stacked vertically on a draped fabric floor in a minimalist room with white walls and a hanging sheet

A geometric, white sculptural object with two downward-pointing curves sits on a draped table against a plain background

Close-up of two intersecting geometric concrete shapes with a smooth grey surface, featuring angular edges and a deep central crease or groove

Close-up of the corner of a smooth, rectangular, stone or concrete object with a two-tone surface, set against a blurred neutral background

A glass of water sits on a beige, fabric-draped side table next to a green upholstered sofa, with a white sheet covering the floor and wall behind

A brown glass bottle with dried grass sits on a white sculptural side table between a bed with a plastic cover and a dark wooden door

Two modern, sculptural chairs in pastel colors are displayed in a minimal setting with a white plinth, neutral background, and two vases holding yellow billy ball flowers

SOFTENED

This isn’t the first time Rudolph has reinterpreted architecture and forms through clay. Her SOFTENED collection reimagines the rigidity of ceramics through gentle curves and color fades, while X+ explores the interplay between soft and hard lines. And in PIERRE – created during her residency at The Residency in Versailles and exhibited in Paris – Rudolph was directly inspired by French architecture, translating its monumental presence into sculptural forms that now echo through DOUX.

A round pink stool, a tall vase with two green leaves, and an oval yellow bench by Kelsie Rudolph sit on cream platforms against a pale yellow backdrop with sheer curtains.

SOFTENED

A textured white chair, a beige vase with a plant on a white block, and a pink sculptural coat rack by Kelsie Rudolph are arranged in a minimalist beige room.

SOFTENED

Four sculptural stone chairs are arranged on a concrete floor in a warehouse, surrounded by stacks of bagged goods and wooden pallets

X+

Industrial warehouse interior with stacked pallets of packaged goods and sculptural stools by Kelsie Rudolph arranged on the floor and a pallet.

X+

Rudolph continues to expand her architectural language through DOUX, and leaves us eager to see where her lines, curves, and ceramic exploration will lead to next. As her practice evolves, each collection builds on the last, offering new ways to experience architecture distilled into form.

A sculptural, modern white chair with textured surface and curved backrest, set on a checkered tile floor against a plain gray wall

PIERRE \\\ Photography by Anthony Girardi

A sculpted, dark brown chair by Kelsie Rudolph with a textured surface sits on a checkered tile floor against a plain white wall.

PIERRE \\\ Photography by Anthony Girardi

Tall sculptural lamp by Kelsie Rudolph features a textured, angular white base and a glowing spherical bulb, set against a plain, dimly lit background with a tiled floor.

PIERRE \\\ Photography by Anthony Girardi

To learn more about the DOUX, SOFTENED, X+, and PIERRE collections by Kelsie Rudolph, visit kelsierudolph.com.

Photography by Will Warasila unless otherwise noted.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.





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