Handcrafted glass for entertaining, for gifting

Annieglass is from Ann Morhauser, a leader in the tabletop industry. Morhauser designs and produces all of her luxury, handcrafted glass table in Santa Cruz, Calif. The products are durable and dishwasher safe.  The company offers pieces for entertaining as well as gifts for Mother's Day or graduation.  Below are some of the company's new and most popular items

Colorful tabletop items for indoor/outdoor use

Liora Manné has new designs for spring. Her bright, vibrant and versatile home goods are created by her patented Lamontage process. The tabletop wares are durable and suitable for indoor/outdoor use.

Lightweight, 100% porcelain dinnerware

Tammy Polatsek is a veteran of the event planning and catering industry. She applied her expertise in hospitality to fashion a fine line of dishware for Carmona New York. All of the dishes are made from 100% porcelain, giving them a smooth texture and clean look. They are also 65% lighter than a common ceramic dish. Carmona offers over 250 designs. Each piece is manufactured in the same shade of clean bone. Since each piece is fully customizable, the company says it can create anything to cater to one's specific needs.

Colorful dinnerware collections from Rosanna

Les Fleurs En Rouge

Les Fleurs En Rouge is a new collection from Rosanna Inc. It features refined botanical prints in a vibrant combination of red and green, making it a fresh approach toholiday entertaining. The company states the "botanicals’ contemporary look makes it easy to grace spring and summer tablescapes as well." The collection is comprised of baroque mugs, dipping dishes, appetizer plates, a rectangular tray, a French pitcher, and a teapot. Each item is made of porcelain and comes in Rosanna’s signature decorated gift box.

A new decoupage collections of moderately priced gifts includes round, square and rectangular trays made of pressed glass. The felt back makes them suitable for jewelry, makeup or soaps.

The Chocolaterie collection

The Chocolaterie collection is comprised of porcelain mugs, dessert plates, a pitcher, and a two-tiered tray with antique label prints of famous European chocolate makers.

Search "Rosanna" in this blog to see the company's winter 2011 collection.

Dishes and serveware for the winter holidays

Rosanna Bowles, the so-called Diva of Dishes, is showing her fall/winter collection from Rosanna Inc. at the New York gift show this month. Also, her lifestyle book, "Coming Home: A Seasonal Guide to Creating Family Traditions" following a successful printing, is available for download as an e-book.

The Happy Christmas Collection (above) features prints inspired by vintage wrappings from Rosanna’s grandmother. The collection is comprised of mugs, large and small trays, dessert plates, a two-tiered tray, and a canvas tote.

The 12 Days of Christmas returns to the collection. The set of 12 square scalloped plates are made of refined porcelain and come in a decorated gift box.

Contempo plates based on 19th century Brooklyn prints

Click to enlarge

Last week, Think Fabricate launched a new line of transferware plates at 7 W New York Tabletop Week in Gallery on Six (Suite 604). Jason Gorsline, co-founder of Think Fabricate, said “Since our first collection of furniture included a wall-mounted display cabinet, it seemed fitting that we design a special group of plates to adorn the shelves and show our connection to Brooklyn, where we live and work.”
Each of the three transferware plates features a portion of a lithographic print by Currier and Ives dating back to 1879, showing a “balloon view” of Brooklyn with its south and west waterfront in the foreground. The three details from the map used on the plates illustrate the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and the Navy Yard with Wallabout Bay in the foreground. The reverse side of the each coupe-style plate depicts the Think Fabricate logo – a composition of two overlapping heads forming a light bulb.

The color of the plates is the same blue that is featured in the Think Fabricate logo. Susan Doban, co-founder of Think Fabricate, explains, “It’s a bit more intense and rich than a traditional Wedgewood blue, giving the historical imagery on the plates a more modern appearance. In our interior design and architectural projects, we often find that the right color can make an important impact and breathe new life into a historical space.” See Think Fabricate on Facebook.

Ritzenhoff Spring 2011 preview

Auge, from the Bacione collection

Ritzenhoff is previewing its Spring 2011 Design Collection during New York Tabletop Week at 7 W New York (April 12-15). The German manufacturer of whimsical tableware and gifts has collaborated with almost 300 emerging and established artists worldwide to create an extensive selection of contemporary design on glass and porcelain.
Products include Pilsner-type beer glasses, proseco glasses, champagne flutes, espresso sets and breakfast boards.
Chicago-based Kress International Importers has been the exclusive distributor of Ritzenhoff products in the United States since 2004. Kress runs a full-fledged sales and logistic operation focusing on high-end German design-ware for the table.

Pilsner glasses

Michel Canetti flute from the Champus collection

Martina Schlenke for the Weizen collection

Shinobu Ito's espresso set

Karim Rashid's breakfast board in the Simply Brett collection

Proseco flutes in the Pearls collection

Create a French bistro at home

Picardie tumblers

The Picardie Tumbler is a popular drinking glass used in French bistros, cafeterias and homes. Duralex offers multiple sizes of the stackable tumbler. The glass is extremely tough and durable and will last for many years without breaking or chipping. Eight sizes range from 3.25 ounces to nearly 17 ounces.

The Duralex For Kids collection of glass, bowls, tumblers and plates are BPA-free, 100% recyclable, dishwasher and microwave-safe and an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Made in France, the collection is said to be 4 to 5 times stronger than standard glass.

The “le Gigogne" (below) is an iconic drinking glass used in cafeterias for half a century. It is considered to be a national treasure.


le Gigogne, an iconic drinking glass from France

Dinnerware in stripes and solids; paper goods for Halloween

Trade Associates Group, better known as simply tag, exhibited more than 600 new items in a wide range of materials at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago this month. tag says many of the introductions are in stock and ready to ship.

Highlights included:

The new Sonoma Stripe

• 6 1/2" appetizer plates in 10 Sonoma dinnerware colors, with a handy new iron plate caddy (upper left). The company introduce new Sonoma Stripe in two colorways, Celadon and Chocolate, that complement the entire assortment. In addition, a rich, new Sonoma Navy colorway was shown (below).

• Handmade mosaic glass in Halloween (below); Jardin; Fall Flora and Harvest; and tag’s Christmas collections Mistletoe, Holiday Elegance, Christmas Holiday, and Hope, Peace and Joy.

An owl motif on mosaic glassware

• Colorful new paper tabletop products including plates, cups, bowls and napkins in Halloween, Fall Flora, Harvest and Hope, Peace and Joy.

Paper goods from tag

Fiesta dinnerware in fresh, new colors

At the Housewares Show this month, Homer Laughlin China Co. celebrated the 75th anniversary of its Fiesta dinnerware line. It was originally designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead in 1936. Discontinued in 1973, Fiesta made a resurgence in 1986. The line is popular for bridal registries and with collectors. The company continues to introduce new colors and retire older ones. The March 7 Gift & Home Today post featured the company's soup tureen in the new Marigold color.

Fiesta blue

Diner Bistro

Fiesta Marigold

Soapstone barware and votives

Teroforma's Ekke stacking votives are made of gray and black soapstone. The stone's polished surface gracefully amplifies a candlelight's flicker. The votives measure from 2 to 3.5 inches tall. Thea Mehl of Oslo designed the product, which is handfinished by Amit Stoneworks, Agra, India.

Mouthblown crystal tumblers and carafes are available in blue, green and charcoal. The non-lead crystal tumblers and carafes are individually mouthblown by master glassblowers at the centuries-old Kvetna Glassworks in Czech Republic. Three tumbler styles are availble: Avva (flares in or flares out), designed by Thea Mehl, Oslo. Ekke (straight up and down), designed by Roman Vrtiska, Prague. Issi (S-curved), designed by Peter Nolan, NYC.

The Ekke Shot Glass is produced from natural soapstone, so it won't absorb flavors or aromas. The sleek cylindrical shape can stack for easy storage. Freeze for four hours before using, and it will keep beverages cold without the need for ice. The 2-ounce shot glass is intended for frozen vodka and other spirits that benefit from the big chill. It was designed for Teroforma by Thea Mehl, Oslo, and handfinished by Amit Stoneworks, Agra, India.

Build a holiday centerpiece

Build a holiday centerpiece with serveware from Andrea by Sadek.

Serveware for the outdoors

Green garden metal serveware from tag ltd. is galvanized metal with a powder-coated finish. The wooden handles have a distressed finish. The collection consists of an oval travel, and oval tub and an ice bucket with an aluminum scoop.

Home decor for 2011 Easter

The Chick and Bunny candle assortment from tag ltd. is  hand-painted. They come packed as an assortment of 12 (six each of two designs). The burn time is two hours.

The new Chick ceramic collection includes dip bowls, spreaders and salt and pepper shakers. The earthenware is hand-painted with embossed details.

Design bloggers have their say at NY gift show

The Bloggers' Choice Awards are presented semi-annually to exhibitors in Accent on Design, one of 10 divisions of the New York International Gift Fair. "Design bloggers have a unique aesthetic sensibility, as well as an inherent knack for identifying emerging talents," said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.
"Accent on Design offers an excellent platform for sourcing and rewarding design innovation." Each blogger selected one product from among the thousands featured by 200 Accent on Design exhibitors.
The bloggers - and their choices for the "next big thing" - are:

Jennifer Lockwood of DailyGrommet.com:
Cast Iron Skillets by Borough Furnace (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
"It is all about the story behind the product. From humble beginnings as scraped, upcycled iron to a cool, hip, useful cast-iron skillet that will last forever. Old made new."

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of ApartmentTherapy.com:
Sundara Rug Collection by Donna Wilson & SCP (London, England)
"One of the best new debuts I found at the NYIGF was the Sundara Rug Collection by Donna Wilson and distributed by SCP. All rugs are hand-made in India, using three different techniques: flat-weaving, hand-looming and hand-tufting. Like Donna's other designs for SCP - Frank, Henry & Ernest pouffes and Nos Das pillows, throws and bags - color and texture are at the fore-front for these new rug designs."

Kristin Coleman of Design-Calendar.com:
Umbrellas by Brelli (New York)
"I've been thinking for years now that the umbrella was due for a redesign. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the Brelli, which delivers a stylish, versatile and sustainable solution."

Rain Noe of Core77.com:
Chop, Patrick Jouin's bamboo chopping board, by Alessi (New York)
"This caught my eye because the indented, curved edges, in addition to making you want to touch the object, allow you to cut and swipe vegetables directly onto a plate. I think that simple, subtle human factors and details like this are what makes for great design."

Heather Clawson of HabituallyChic.com:
Michelle Parker Table Lamps by Stray Dog Designs (Chattanooga, Tenn.) for its lamps with shades made from vintage topographical maps and pages from old dictionaries
"It's such a cleaver and original idea and they look great. The company employs artisans in Haiti in Mexico so you know you are buying products that benefit those in need as well."

Marisa Marcantonio of stylebeat.blogspot.com:
Nasca Collection of globally-inspired textiles by Suki Cheema Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
"Merges the traditional craft of handmade Indian textiles with saturated colors and creative pattern play. The 100% cotton Taquile pillow is made using an ancient embroidery technique out of several fabrics, so the pieces add history and tradition to a home. The collection is very current with its playful graphic designs and cheery colors."

Jaime Derringer of design-milk.com:
Piggy by Materious (Chicago)
"A refreshingly new concept that shows us good design is more than just form and function - it's human too!"

Stephanie Murg of UnBeige (mediabistro.com):
Husque bowls by Designs Abroad (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
"I'm nuts for Husque products! Handmade in Australia, these colorful bowls and platters are not only inspired by the smooth curves of Macadamia nuts, they're also made from waste shells of the locally-farmed nuts. Queensland-based designer Marc Harrison developed the novel composite material, which is then colored and hand-polished (with Macadamia nut oil) to a beautiful luster. The resulting objects look good enough to eat - or at least eat off of."

Entertainment serving pieces in a modern style

At the upcoming New York gift show, Teroforma launches new accessories for entertaining, with a focus on pieces that work double- and triple-time.
The collection includes a crystal carafe whose stopper can hold ice or garnishes; sauce bowls with pouring spouts, and a system of stackable hors d’oeuvreware with lids so they can travel from table to fridge.
Teroforma will show its Artists’ Canvas Collection, encompassing decorative art work, trays, coasters, runners and paper products. Rounding out the introductions are handturned salt/pepper grinders, crystal barware and additions to the linens and felt color palette. The company collaborated with 11 far-flung designers and makers in eight countries to realize the new pieces.

Ekke Tapas Plates

Ekke Tapas Bowls and  Lid

Avva Pinch and Pour Bowls

Avva Large Bowl & Board

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