Rarefied Design with INK + PORCELAIN
INK + PORCELAIN is beloved by stylists, interior designers and homeowners across the Bay Area and beyond for its captivating collection of one-of-a-kind art and décor designed exclusively by women. Guided by a design philosophy that embraces the harmonious interplay of contrasts, founder Cindy Ngo’s curation process spans the globe to uncover sculptural treasures that elevate any space.
Photography by Sarah Button and Carly Hildebrant
You’ve had an incredible career path. What are some of the principles and perspectives from your first vocation that have helped guide you with INK + PORCELAIN?
My path to entrepreneurship has been anything but linear. I started as a nurse, dove into an early-stage startup, then returned to nursing, still feeling something was missing. It wasn’t until the pandemic, when we moved to the Oakland Hills, that I decided to take a risk, start over, and build something of my own. Furnishing our blank-slate home sparked the realization that I wanted to help others by offering pieces with meaning – objects that find a permanent place in one’s home and story.
As our brand grew, I wanted to provide real value to our Trade Members, so I learned about their pain points and launched our complimentary Rental Program here in the Bay Area. We quickly became a go-to resource for accessories, and seeing our collection in professional photoshoots not only puts our artists’ work in front of designers and clients but also shows how beautifully these pieces can harmonize to a range of design aesthetics.
As a female-founded brand, we’re delighted that you curate objects designed by women. What inspired you to showcase these artists and makers?
When I launched the business in November 2021, I knew that in order to stand out in a saturated home décor market, I had to focus on a clear niche. As a female founder, I wanted to highlight the work of other women, and Artful Objects Designed by Women became our guiding principle.
We started with just one product, handmade raffia coasters crafted by female artisans in Essaouira, Morocco. I used these coasters as a hands-on way to learn about bringing a product to market and importing, choosing something practically indestructible and cost-effective to ship at a time when global trade was still limited and shipping rates were high. Fast forward to today, we’ve grown to hundreds of SKUs and now ship incredibly fragile ceramic and glass sculptures and works of art worldwide.
"It’s deeply rewarding to share not only each design, but also the narrative behind the artist.”
Tell us a bit about your process when it comes to sourcing art and décor. What do you look for?
I source globally with a strong emphasis on emerging talent, and it’s often a gut feeling that draws me to an artist’s work. I lean toward pieces filled with movement and rich texture — those elements spark an emotional connection I can’t ignore. INK + PORCELAIN translates to black and white, which are the two core colors we carry, so I focus on works that fit that aesthetic while still feeling timeless. Above all, I genuinely fall in love with each piece before adding it to the collection, and I work hard to nurture lasting relationships with the artists — many of whom offer exclusive creations for our platform.
You also offer an interior styling service. What are the hallmarks of an INK + PORCELAIN designed space?
We’ve been fortunate to be welcomed into our clients’ homes, where they fully entrust us to curate and style meaningful pieces through our collection. The hallmarks of an INK + PORCELAIN space include visually alluring, layered elements and refined, dynamic shapes that create a collected, timeless aesthetic. It’s deeply rewarding to share not only each design, but also the narrative behind the artist, a testament to our unwavering support for women in design — a commitment that echoes in every transformed space.
We love the way your pieces sit alongside our rugs. Do you have any advice on when to lean into a sense of cohesion and when to seek out contrast?
I begin by taking in the entire space — color palette, architecture, and existing pieces. If there’s already a lot of visual interest, cohesion keeps things balanced; if the room is more subdued, contrast can add that perfect spark.
You are a huge advocate for craftsmanship and selecting objects with a bit of a story. Why do you think it’s important for clients to understand the provenance of a piece?
I believe understanding where a piece comes from and who created it brings depth to a space. It transforms an object into a conversation starter — something that connects us to the artistry and the people behind it. In the end, when you find the piece you truly resonate with, it adds to your own story.
What do you love about the Bay Area design scene?
The Bay Area is truly the core of our business. While our Trade Members are the heartbeat of what we do, it’s our local community, especially our partnerships with interior and prop stylists, that have driven so much of our growth. Interior stylists have played such a key role in amplifying our brand, and we do everything we can to make it seamless for them to pull from our collection, present designs to clients, and style stunning photoshoots. This past year, being part of the SF Decorator Showcase for the first time really highlighted our work and the incredible connections we’ve built. I truly admire the Bay Area community, it’s collaborative and supportive, and we’re proud to be a resource for Artful Objects in the design industry.
Finally, what are you looking forward to in the year ahead?
I’m looking forward to launching a new category and expanding our collection this year. Last year, we introduced The Vault— a private collection for our most loyal Trade Members. As many of our clients have already acquired a significant portion of our collection, we recognized the need to source rare, one-of-a-kind sculptures to support their ongoing projects. The response to The Vault has been incredibly positive, and we’re excited to build on that momentum in the year ahead.