As a home cook and a visual storyteller through her work as a stop-motion artist and videographer, Zoe Ching (@zoching) finds joy by capturing the magic of everyday moments. She said she finds this magic all around her, “from watching a ceramicist shape a vase from a lump of clay to observing people shop at Chinatown markets the second they open in the morning.”

Ching has spent her life immersed in the cultures around her. She said, “Growing up in San Francisco in the '90s, my love for potstickers and burritos became deeply tied to my identity. When I moved away for college, I was eager to learn how to cook the foods I missed from home. Now, after over a decade in the Pacific Northwest, I’m inspired by the fleeting produce at farmer’s markets and the changing seasons.

“Whether I’m picking berries, growing tomatoes and herbs in my garden, building a ceramic studio in my basement, or learning to sew, I find joy in every craft and hobby. I’m fascinated by the many ways people dedicate their time and passion to their crafts, and I enjoy exploring these pockets of the world.”

Zoe Ching first encountered Yamazaki Home while working at Schoolhouse, the Portland-based lighting and lifestyle goods company. She said, “I remember seeing the Tosca Dish Rack being styled in a photoshoot and thought about how it would fit well in my kitchen even though I didn’t think I wanted a dish rack. I now own about 15 Yamazaki products that live primarily in my kitchen, dining room, office and ceramic studio!”

Musing on the effects of Yamazaki Home designs, Ching said, “The thing I enjoy the most about Yamazaki Home products is that they do not dictate a certain style or direction you have to take, they are truly a vehicle to organize day to day home life and make things a bit easier for you. They are items that can live on your countertop or center display on the kitchen island or dining table and look refreshing and subtle.”

The Tosca Dish Rack is one of Ching’s favorite items. She said, “I have had my dish rack for over five years and it has held up well through the wear and tear. I love that you can wash the bottom tray and the utensil holder.”

To enhance her kitchen’s drying capabilities, Ching uses the Collapsible Bottle Dryer. She appreciates that you can articulate the arms to accommodate up to four bottles and use it to dry plastic ziplock bags for reuse. She likes to reuse the bags for freezing sliced bread and preserving other adventures in cooking.

In the kitchen, Ching finds her center, remembering the food of her youth and letting outside problems float away. She said, “As my hobbies change depending on the time of year and what I’m into, cooking remains a constant. It is where I feel the most at ease, but also stimulated. I love preparing meals that require extensive prep time and careful attention. I’m drawn to details and meticulous tasks—cooking is my therapy, where I can find happiness whether surrounded by others or enjoying solitude. Being in the kitchen is peaceful and nostalgic for me.”

Yamazaki Home products are placed around her home with care, each design serving a useful function while also supporting the aesthetic of her home. In her ceramics studio, for example, her favorite item is the Tower Rolling Utility Cart. She said, “Being able to roll the cart around on wheels so easily and lock it in place makes working at different stations in the studio a breeze and my workflow is way more efficient because of it. It holds a surprising number of items on it!”

As with her ever-shifting passions, Ching’s favorite designs and her appreciation for them change too. She recalled a time when she was going through “a major ceramic vessel obsession,” then laughed to herself and confessed that she might still be in the throes of a ceramic vessel obsession. Ching first encountered the Tower Fruit Baskets when her home was filled with these ceramic mugs and bowls. "At first," she said, “I didn’t think [the baskets] would become a staple in my kitchen”. Soon, however, she recanted, saying, “Now I just love them! They are so functional for fruit since they have airflow built into their design. The aesthetic is perfect for my house, allowing the fruit to become the main display, and the white steel is a nice contrast against all the ceramic pieces I own, and they are easy to clean.”

She was similarly surprised by the functionality and pleasure of the Tosca Banana Stand. Ching admitted, “I thought it was silly at first since it is singular in use, but it works so well to create some height in the kitchen and we eat bananas almost daily so we have them around all the time. Something about an item having a specific home is pleasant to feel day to day.” At Yamazaki Home we call that pleasant feeling “Happy Home, Harmony”.

When asked about to whom she recommends Yamazaki Home products, Ching cheerfully replied, “So many people!” She went on, saying “I think what impresses me the most are the varying price points and the ability to use Yamazaki Home products from a very small studio apartment to a large home. I often have friends over who ask me about Yamazaki Home products after seeing them in action. I think that is what makes Yamazaki Home special: the designs work for your home environment and aesthetic.”