Over the past year a lot of things have changed in our lives, but one thing that hasn’t – and never will – is our basic need to eat. So we might as well make each mealtime an occasion, right? Whether you’ve been cooking your way to culinary supremacy, or just mastering your take-out skills, there are many easy ways to elevate your at-home meals, starting with the tools and vessels you use to serve them.
Jonathan Hansen x Marie Daâge Collection – With soft cloud motifs hand-painted on every piece, nothing will more seamlessly match the setting of your open-air meal than this Limoges porcelain collection. New York-based designer Jonathan Hansen joined forces with Austrian porcelain painter Marie Daâge to create this beautiful set of bowls, plates, mugs and teacups, all of which will put you on cloud nine while you’re almost literally eating off of one. It’s definitely worth the splurge, if you ask us.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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La Redoute Interieurs Irun Jug – For an item you use on a daily basis, it’s best to go with a design that’s timeless and clean – something that will fit any occasion, theme and style. This jug is the perfect example. Its crisp lines and colour palette render it versatile and fully adaptable, while still making an impression at the table. Whether it’s holding your morning orange juice, a batch of sangria for a summer happy hour, or a bouquet of fresh flowers in between meals, it’ll always look right at home.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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CB2 Two-Tone Flatware Set – It’s not very easy to find a cutlery set that’s both pretty and ergonomic, but we’ve done the work for you: This two-toned set is everything you need, flatware-wise. Each utensil is made of stainless steel and delicately painted in gold and silver with a matte finish, making them an easy match for whatever tableware or linen colour palette you choose. Not only do they look good on the table, the handles are also thin and dainty, providing an effortless grip while eating.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Beau Rush Ceramics Cry Baby Serving Bowl – Made of earthenware, a type of pottery that hasn’t been vitrified, this serving bowl features tiny splashes of orange and blue that make it a unique and an upgraded alternative to the conventional white IKEA bowls. Add sprinkles of colour to your spring table with the full set: a fruit bowl, a serving platter and espresso cups.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Sir/Madam Seeded Water Glasses – If you harbour a love for vintage, then Sir/Madam designs – and, more specifically, these seeded glasses – need a space at your table. Hand-blown by artisans in India using recycled glass, the effervescent bubble effect provides a balanced mix of elegance and rusticity. They come in two sizes (and two colours), making them ideal for any occasion or type of drink. Pair with the scullery jar for the full-on seeded look.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Hend Krichen Matt Collection – London-based designer Hend Krichen has broken the rules with these table ceramics, imbuing her designs with stark geometric cuts. Inspired by the culture of her native Tunisia, she works with materials in their natural raw form for a modern aesthetic. Her Matt collection is available in four colours (grey, green, pink and orange), and includes all the essentials, from plates, bowls and mugs to a condiment pot, a jug, a coffee pot and a vase.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Momosan Lacquered Wooden Plate – For a fan of Japanese minimalism, this handmade plate is the perfect tabletop accoutrement. Made from lacquered wood and dyed with natural ingredients by Japanese artist Masami Tokuda, these plates have a pleasing texture and rustic finish, lending your tablescape an unexpected look. And if you’re not into too much uniformity, you’ll love how the artist curves the wood differently every time, making each piece a one-off.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Hermès Bleus d’Ailleurs Teapot – We know it’s not the most affordable teapot on the market, but the classic style and beautiful blue-and-white porcelain design give this piece the air of an heirloom in the making. And if you’re in the mood for some extra indulgence, grab a cup or two from the Bleus d’Ailleurs collection. Either way, start baking those scones, boil the water, and get ready for the fanciest afternoon tea time ever.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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East Fork Shell Spoon – Perfect for caviar or, more realistically, some plain vanilla ice cream, this delightful spoon is set to spruce up your mealtimes. East Fork creates thoughtful, durable products to bring more value to the rituals around the table – and judging by this spoon, this fork and their entire flatware collection, they’re living up to their mission. Made of seashell and coloured with locally mixed glazes, this tiny spoon is perfect for adding salt, jam or any dressing, and feeling incredibly fancy while doing it.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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UO Moon Phase Dinner Plate – Planning a special dinner to watch the total lunar eclipse later this month? Your table has been set. And even if you’re not, these plates would make a worthy addition to your meals anyway. With all the moon phases painted with a matt finish over speckled ceramic, they offer a solid and original base for any dish, and come in two different colours to mix and match (or to go from breakfast to dinner).
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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KAH Halo Glass – Having a cold drink means the glass will eventually start to sweat and make your refreshing beverage slippery. And let’s face it, wrapping a paper napkin around the glass isn’t the best option, aesthetically speaking. The creators at KAH have brilliantly tackled this problem with their Halo glass, featuring a built-in wooden marble to provide minimalist aesthetics and clean stability. Thinking of sipping a glass of your favourite vintage? The shape of the glass “allows the wine to continue to open as you drink”. They’ve really thought this through.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Jungle Culture Wooden Cutlery Set – For your next picnic, ditch the plastic forks and knives and go completely waste-free with this set of wooden cutlery. Made by Vietnamese artisans from upcycled ebony wood with no use of fertilisers or pesticides, they’re the perfect eco-friendly alternative that you can keep reusing on the go, while minimising the negative impact on our planet. Plus, they come in a handy organic bag (with coconut buttons) for clean and easy transportation.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Jonathan Adler 1948 Collection – A table set made entirely of gold might be a bit beyond our price range (and, frankly, the limits of good taste). This is perhaps even better: a classic set made of white porcelain with a hand-applied splatter of real gold. Named not for the year 1948, but rather the temperature at which gold melts, this designer collection looks fancy and expensive for sure. So, if you miss the fine dining experience, simply order some take out, light a few candles and set the table with this dinnerware – it’ll feel similar, with the added bonus that you can dine in your pyjamas.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Helle Mardahl Bon Bon Cocktail Glass – Essentially works of art in the form of glasses, these will have everyone talking at your next get-together. Designed by Helle Mardahl, every piece from her cocktail collection – which can work equally well as fancy dessert cups, too – is as eccentric and lavish as her signature style. With a mix of sculpting, painting and interior design, these glasses are mouth-blown into their unique shape – so even if you buy more than one of the same item, be assured that each will have its own bubbly personality.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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Richard Brenon Dip Collection – For this special collection, British tableware designer Richard Brenon went back to his usual source of inspiration, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and discovered a new interest: 18th-century creamware. With these new ideas in mind, he started spraying, splattering and dipping the products in three different colours of glaze. Moments later, the Dip collection was born. From plates to bowls, mugs and a jug, all items have been handmade and hand-dipped for a unique and sophisticated look.
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Laying The Table: The Tableware.
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BaleFire Glass Epiphany Cups – Whether it’s water or wine, sipping never looked so good. The BaleFire glass collection is inspired by abstract painting styles, making it literal art on the table – elevated even more so by the fact that each piece is hand-blown, handmade and one-of-a-kind. If you’re looking to add a ‘swirl’ of personality to your glassware, give these marbled tumblers a chance.
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