A Ceramic Artist Lives in a Former Aluminum Factory — And Keeps Her Kiln Between the Couches
Walk into any home, and between two couches you might see a side table, perhaps a floor lamp, maybe even a large plant. But not in ceramic artist Tamara “Solem” Alissa‘s home; she keeps a kiln there. But it’s that kind of unconventional approach to space design that makes her colorful Toronto loft feel so unique and alive.
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She originally learned about this unique space through friends. “I’ve lived in a few lofts in this city and they all seem to be disappearing, and this one was one of the few that had more of a residential vibe than an industrial DIY bedroom vibe like my last few lofts, so I thought why not try out comfort for once,” she writes.
“This building used to be an aluminum factory and the ghost sign is still on the north side of the building. It is an arts building, so almost everyone here is an artist, which makes for a really vibrant community,” Tamara describes of the loft’s vibe. “We have a shared garden in the back, and one of the residents takes really good care of the herbs out there, which we all share.”
Built around the 1920s, the 1200-square-foot open space is full of quirky architectural details like floor holes from old machinery. And the stunning downtown skyline view is unparelleled. After years of living in bigger, more industrial spaces, downsizing into this one has given her less chaos and more comfort.
And thankfully, there’s plenty of room for her to work on her craft: gorgeous ceramics. Tamara is a Syrian/Filipina sculptural artist whose work explores the “preservation of time,” according to her website bio.
Through clay, she pulls from memories of architecture, colors, textures, and practices, creating pieces that feel connected to the ideas of comfort, memory, and longing. As Tamara sees it, “clay is a multidimensional mirror.”
A large section of her current loft is dedicated to her ceramic creation, but the tools of her craft are folded deftly into the rest of her living space, as well. “My ceramic kiln sits right between my two couches. It was the only place I could put it,” she admits. “It’s safely vented, of course! I just pretend it’s a fireplace.”
Her work has been featured in publications like Vogua Arabia and Dazed Mena, and her ceramic creations are known for their organic shapes and vibrant but earthy color palette derived from nature — particularly a bold, striking blue — pops of which you see around her own home, as well.
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Blue and yellow Lebanon print — Painter Christophe Sabat (a good friend of mine)
- Coffee table — Sundays Furniture
- Sofas — Custom made
KITCHEN
- “Domino Principle” poster — My friend Chris Sartor made this print with letraset back in the ’90s. It is one of his original posters.
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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