Dining by Designer: Michael Aram collaborates with Waterford

From tableware to furniture, Michael Aram's work reflects humanity through
his use of a hand-made process and age-old traditional techniques. This tradition
is what exemplifies the Waterford - Michael Aram collaboration . This exciting
new collection debuted last week at the New York tabletop market and will be
appearing in stores Spring 2008.



Michael Aram's unique creations are inspired by his paintings, sculptures, and
art history background. As well as his travels to India. As with all of Michael
Aram's work each design has a soulful quality and an energy that reflects the
hand of the maker.



Michael Aram for Waterford debuts with Jaipur, Garland Romance and
Wood Grain, three patterns featuring metal and crystal giftware, stemware
barware and porcelain dinnerware. Shown above is Garland Romance, a
pattern that is vividly reminiscent of Michael Aram's depiction of nature's
elements. The vine on the dinnerware is a hand sculpted vine, which is
twisted and turned to replicate the irregularity that exists in nature.



As shown above, much of the metal giftware in Jaipur features open, cut-
through patterns and will be immediately recognizable for its Indian influences.



In the Wood Grain collection the appearance of wood fibers were the
inspiration. The grain motif was etched into the crystal to create
geometric shapes. The effect of the sharp lines makes Wood Grain a
masculine pattern which appeals to the modernist sensibilities.

With this ring: napkin rings for your Thanksgiving table

Every fashion plate knows that no ensemble is complete without that special
accessory - - - a scarf, necklace or pin, for example. In terms of your table
decor, this means a fabulous napkin ring. It's jewelry for the table and can
really change the look with every occasion.


(l to r: leaf rings, $38.00, Saks Fifth Ave; pinecone napkin rings, $3.95
Crate and Barrel)

To create a feast for the eyes, enhance your ordinary place setting with
napkin rings. You can get napkin rings from flea markets, antique dealers,
thrift stores as well as department stores. The napkin rings shown in
the top photo were found by William Yeoward at a flea market.


(clockwise: Turkey napkin ring, $40.00, Reed and Barton; Bird napkin
ring, $75.00, L' Objet; Pewter napkin rings, $80.00, Gump's; Squirrel
napkin rings, set of 6, $39.00, Pottery Barn).

Napkin rings can be made inexpensively with things you have around the
house.


(l to r: diy napkin rings by Country Living magazine and Better Homes
and Gardens magazine)

For a festive, decorative table setting, try wrapping an attractive hair
tie or a luxurious ribbon around a rolled-up napkin, there are plenty of hair
accessories and ribbons out there to glam up a plate.


(clockwise: place settings from Better Homes and Gardens magazine and
Real Simple magazine)

Napkin rings are one of those little touches that add charm to your table.
For a more formal occasion, your napkin rings can double as place cards
When you add photos or the names of your guests to the embellishments.

Women who make beautiful tableware: Pukashell’s handcrafted accents can exude a casual elegant tablesetting

So you want to decorate your table in a creative, unique way? Put your own
stamp on your table by adding handcrafted accessories. They add a welcomed
personal touch. Like the tablescape above designed by William Yeoward, not
all the food on the table is real, however - some of the cookies, cakes, tarts and
candies are knitted. This joke food interspersed among the copious quantity
of delicious edible treats makes for a great conversation piece and a unforgettable
party.



In my third installment of “Women who make beautiful tableware”, I'm thrilled
to spotlight the beautifully handcrafted work of Pukashell Creative Designs.
Ranging from cakes, cookies to bonbon - - - knitted desserts are their specialty,
these incredible inedibles are created from high quality fibers mixed with vintage
and recycled yarn.



Handcrafted items are a great way to put your individual or familiar imprint on
your table, whether it's a holiday dinner or a wedding reception. These items - - -
sometimes placed as individual pieces or sometimes grouped together allow you
to express your own personal style. William Yeoward constantly inspires me and
I love the way he has incorporated knitted desserts in his own tablesettings.



So make your wedding reception or next holiday celebration even more special
by putting handcrafted accessories on the table. When you successfully mix the
inexpensive with the expensive, the antique with the modern, and fun accessories
with more formal dinnerware, you create a tablesetting that your guest will
remember long after they've thrown the last handful of rice.



A great resource for handcrafted wedding products is The Handcrafted Wedding,
so if you're looking for ways to add personality to your special day, this website
is a must visit.

"A little bird told me" about Nantaka Joy's new website

This morning, while visiting Nantaka Joy's beautiful new website, I spotted
this fantastic "Save The Date" invite. A small birdie and his save the date tags
were wrapped in vintage fabric and sent in small boxes through the mail.

This invite would work perfectly with my bird inspired post yesterday.



The creative genius behind the Nantaska Joy stationary line as well as the Oh Joy!
blog is the talented designer Joy Deangdeelert Cho. If you haven't visited her new
site, check it out! I'm sure her product will be flying off the shelves.

Bird is the word in tableware: Lenox introduces chirp, its newest dinnerware

Keep an eye out for birds -- indoors and out. They are the design world's newest
darlings. They are showing up on everything from dinnerware and tree top
centerpieces to cakes and invitations. At tabletop market Lenox introduced
their new “chirp” pattern.



The key to the current avian look is color - - think parrot green, robin's egg blue
and canary yellow. As part of the new “simply fine” collection, Lenox has crafted
this beautiful and highly fashionable design to appeal to the modern women. This
pattern with its bold splashes of teal and the water-colored birds is what inspired
the following "robin's egg blue and red" affair:


(top row: Martha Stewart magazine, bottom row: The Knot)

Though unconventional, this warm-cool combination is surprisingly elegant. Red
and robin's egg blue is one of my favorite parings, at once sophisticated and alive.


(above: Martha Stewart magazine, letterpress wedding coasters, Sesame
letterpress).

In America, birds have always been a classic motif; but if you'd like to incorporate
some flights of fancy into your next event, incorporate birds using this color
combination.


(top row: Martha Stewart magazine, Real Simple magazine, bottom row:
Martha Stewart magazine, The Knot).

Bold accents pop against white table linens. For a centerpiece, use a tree
with vibrant red and blue birds perched on the branches.


(above: Country Living magazine)

For something luxurious, place iittala Toikka bird at every place setting.


(l to r: Toikka birds, $275.00, blue pheasant, Gump's; Martha Stewart
collection feather bird ornaments, set of 4, $26.25, Macy*s).

Start with a deep red (red has long symbolized love and passion ) and
temper it with blue-greens ranging in intensity from pale to brilliant.
Set the tone right from the start by sending save-the-date announcements
to your guests with a robin's egg blue and red combination.


(above: Birds in Paradise, Ink and Wit; Engagement party invite, Sesame letterpress).

Don't forget your cake! This color combination will surely provide compelling
contrasts and give a look that's fresh and new and appealing.


(top row: Martha Stewart magazine, bottom row: Lovin Sullivan cakes)

Dining by Designer: Monique Lhuillier's new tableware collection

Monique Lhuillier will walk down the aisle next year - - - the Bloomingdale's
aisle that is. Lhuillier's designs will soon be moving from the runway into
home. With tableware, stemware, barware and giftware inspired by Monique's
best selling bridal gowns and fabrics from her evening gowns, believe me
this collection will appeal to the sophisticated woman!


(above: Atelier Blanc crystal giftware)

Monique Lhuillier will be introduced in a exclusive Bloomingdale's launch in
January 2008. I've seen the collection and it is a combination of luxury and glamour
with traditional values. I especially like the Atelier Blanc crystal barware with
its allover cut thumbprint designs, the wine glasses feel great to the touch.


(above: Tableware shown is Femme Fatale - features a raised natural
pattern in warm pearlescent gray)

Look for the national ad to roll-out in Martha Stewart's wedding magazine. The tag
line is "Life is short. Use the good china". I couldn't agree more, these pieces are
elegant for the most dressed up occasions and perfectly suited for everyday living.

Tabletop Fashion Week: "This is my cup of tea"

The tables are set and I couldn’t be happier. This fall, buyers return to the Big Apple for the
semiannual New York Tabletop Market. This weekend the showrooms around Madison
Square showcased all the newest tabletop lines and designs that will be hitting retail next
year. I was fortunate enough to visit many of the showrooms and I invite you to join me
this week at Toast and Tables where all my post will be revealing some of my favorite new releases.



ROYAL ALBERT CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF DESIGN
After hearing about the upcoming international launch of the 100 years of Royal Albert
collection, I had to visit their showroom first. Using ten patterns, Royal Albert is introducing
a new collection of products; the patterns are unique and reflective of popular designs and
international events over 10 decades. When leaving the showroom I received a great
parting gift - - - a teacup, saucer and plate in the Festival pattern (1950). It's beautiful, I'll
be sending it to my mom and I know she is going to love it! She is an avid collector of
tea cups, her display in the kitchen is stunning and this will fit in quite nicely.



(shown above: 1950/ Festival: Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 at the tender age of just 25. Her
coronation was seen the world over. The post-war era saw bolder florals signifying a re-birth, with many designs
using typically English flowers. Festival features pretty harebells, with the blue of the flowers in the background
and boarders. All items from the 100 years of Royal Albert collection are packaged in unique deep pink and
burgundy Royal Albert hat boxes with illustrations of all ten patterns).

Looking at Royal Albert's signature delicate florals in many of the patterns, I immediately
started to think about how many of the products would look on a table at a Tea Party.
I love Tea Parties and think they are suitable for many celebrations. When you'd like to
host a party that isn't as involved as a dinner party, a tea party can be the answer. It's an
ideal format for a bridal shower or a little girl's birthday celebration.



(above: In many parts of the world, tea time is an honored tradition of refinement and elegance. When you're
planning a tea party - - - adorn your table with your best china, silver, and linens. These add polish and grace
to the occasion, and in our "paper cup" world they remind us fondly of earlier times, images: Country Living
magazine).



(above: What children tend to enjoy most about tea is the ability to participate in a storybook tradition, that
is why I love this "Alice in Wonderland" theme party photographed by the amazing Jessica Claire! Throughout
history, children have found a pastime in holding tea parties, inviting their stuffed animals to the table and
practicing proper etiquette. Children and delicate china may not seem compatible, but something about the
elegant environment encourages kids to feel more grown-up and act accordingly, images: Jessica Claire).

Every year my mom's church has a tea party, I hope next year she pulls out her collection
and sets a table using the new tea cup and saucer that I'm sending her. Whatever your
reason for hosting your next tea party, enjoy a cup for me!