
Dubai, UAE: When Russian expatriate Ekaterina Penkovskaya first moved to Dubai, two years ago, she wasn’t planning to start a design studio. The 34-year-old entrepreneur had already stepped into the hospitality world, launching a successful French-concept beverage establishment in her hometown in Saint Petersburg, after spending three years immersed in the vineyards and culinary culture of Paris, as a student.
But, sometimes, the most unexpected ideas begin in the smallest of ways, in this case, with a growing pile of discarded bottles.
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The Unexpected Spark of Sustainability
“We were throwing away so many beautiful bottles,” she recalled during an interview with Hotels of UAE.
“One day, my bartender told me there were companies that would collect them for recycling, but the restaurant had to pay to give them away. It made no sense.” Instead of sending the glass to the landfill or shelling out money to have it removed, Ekaterina and her team started experimenting. The best-looking bottles were kept aside. These would be later transformed into jars holding handmade candles.
Kattys’ Designs: A Vision of Upcycled Elegance
What started as a side project soon evolved into a new purpose. After selling her establishment in Saint Petersburg, she relocated to Dubai for a break. Ekaterina found herself captivated by the city’s international spirit and creative energy. “I knew I wanted to build something meaningful, something that combined sustainability with design,” she said.
That vision became Kattys’ Designs, a brand built on the art of upcycling, transforming used glass bottles into elegant, functional homeware pieces. From glasses and vases to candles and mosaic plates, every item is handcrafted in Ekaterina’s workshop using repurposed materials.
“We try to use every part of the bottle,” she explained. “When we cut a bottle in half, the bottom might become a candle holder, while the top is used for a vase or a lamp. Nothing goes to waste.”
Crafting Homeware from Repurposed Glass



Ekaterina works closely with a small team, her loyal assistant and occasionally, her assistant’s husband, who helps with bottle collection. Several local restaurants have also come on board, offering their used bottles at no charge. “They love the idea, and I never ask them for money. I’m grateful just to receive their support,” she said.
Some bottles, especially those that arrive damaged or broken, are smashed further and turned into intricate mosaic pieces made with jesmonite, one of the studio’s most popular product lines. “It’s not always easy, but the goal is to be fully zero-waste,” she said. “We’re improving with every collection.”
Overcoming Challenges and Dreaming Big
Still, growing a small business rooted in sustainability isn’t without its challenges. As a self-funded founder, Ekaterina admits that limited investment is one of the biggest hurdles. “I’m a dreamer, and I have so many ideas I want to bring to life. But, building everything from scratch, without external funding, takes time,” she added.
Educating customers is another ongoing task. While the designs are polished and modern, some people may not immediately grasp the upcycled nature of the products or the value of the craftsmanship behind them, but Ekaterina remains undeterred. “I truly believe this is the future. Businesses need to think more consciously, and design can be a part of that shift.”
As for what’s next, her ambitions are anything but small. “In my imagination, Kattys’ Designs will grow as an eco-friendly local brand producing beautiful, affordable products, all made from discarded materials, with zero waste.”
Sustainability Meets Style
Whether it’s a bottle turned into a lamp or shattered glass reimagined as a work of art, Kattys’ Designs is proving that sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of style. For Ekaterina, every piece tells a story of not just what it used to be, but of what it can become.
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