Umami Tray by FTF Design Studio
Umami is synonomous with “savoriness” – one of the five basic tastes. A Japanese word that translates as “delicious taste”. What better way to present savory bites than on this snow white Corian Umami Tray. Streamlined, clean and functional, the newest offering from FTF Design Studio.
TyTree by Ty Arnold is an acrylic Christmas tree with tons of ornaments for you to arrange. What makes the acrylic so great is, of course, light. As the light hits the tree, the reflections and interplay between the colors begin to happen. A new tradition with a modern flare.
HemDing Fruit Platter is an 18″ white ceramic dish with a garden shovel handle. Big, bold and functional. The design is by Andres Fabian.
I was curious about the name: HemDing. So I surfed the web, looking for a little background on the piece. I found nothing. So I read a little about Fabian – spent his childhood in Afganistan, Lebanon and Portugal and educated in Germany and London. His work is described as sensuous, restrained, provocative and humorous. This is a guy who did his PhD research in Switzerland on spoons…
But still, no explanation for HemDing. So I used an online translator. Given his background, I wasn’s sure what language to choose. I tried German, Spanish, Arabic, Danish and then Swedish. The translator returned Home Stupid. Hmm…
Simon Pengelly created Hands On Salad Bowl for British design house Joseph Joseph. It kind of falls under the category, Why didn’t I think of that? But then again, some of the simplest ideas are the hardest to come up with. For those of you who spend time at your children’s school potlucks – you know how often the salad servers are left behind. With this little piece of genius, that is not going to happen. Made from melamine, this bowl is beyond practical. We love it!
Less is more in the case of Stem Vase and Stem Bowl by Ferm Living. Just a section of a branch hollowed out and fitted with a removable porcelain insert. $60 for the vase, $52 for the bowl @ Ferm Living.
Irezumi Placesetting by Paul Timman – After graduating from the Cleveland Institute for Art, Paul began tattooing out of his apartment. Word got out and eventually, Paul ended up in Hollywood at the renown Sunset Strip Tattoo. Ten years later Timman is a leading tattoo artist and recognized specialist in tribal and traditional Japanese designs. In Irezumi, tattoo moves from body art to table art in a surprisingly graceful way.
Among the far-sighted Danish architect Verner Panton’s most renowned works is the graphic pattern from 1960, “Geometry 1”, for which he was awarded The International Design Award in the US in 1963. Now, almost 50 years later, the stringent yet lively pattern is virtually more popular now than during the height of Panton’s popularity in the 1960s.
The Panton Geometry serving tray has a 15.7″ diameter. It is made of melamine. On Sale @ EmmoHome.
French Bull produces bold, pop-art melamine tableware at really reasonable prices. Shown here is the Spledida Dinner Plate in a bright, graphic pattern. At $11 each, its hard to beat. The line also features salad plates, trays, bowls, cups and serving pieces. Great as a gift for yourself, or someone else.
Vikki Smyth chose to work in acrylic for its vibrant colors and its clean, contemporary look. She is also drawn to its ability to appear substantial and airy at the same time. Smyth has gained quite a following in the hospitality world supplying her designs to Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Omni, W, Westin and Harrods, to name a few. Her custom presentationwareis favored by restaurants and caterers. Pieces like Adatude are available directly from the designer. The acrylic tray is elevated on three long, slender unattached legs. Adatude is available in azure, canary, raspberry, lilac, carrot, lime and lucid. The 20″long by 4″wide Adatude is currently on sale for $110.
Ring in the new year by raising a new glass – and make sure its worth raising. Here are some we like, starting with the Inside Out Series by Alissa Melk-Teichroew. The idea of iconic forms like the martini glass and champagne flute are turned inside out, encasing the form. The double wall of the glass keeps your drink ice cold and the interior shape is unveiled as its being filled. Both available at Stitch Chicago.
The Float Collection by Molo suspend the champagne in an elegant but minimal form. The enitre collection is available through twentieth, Los Angeles.
Finally, the Aarne Glass Collection by one of the pioneers of the Finnish glass tradition, Goran Hongell. Aarne is mouth blown glassware which was awareded a gold medal at the 1954 Milan Triennale and is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The Aarne Champagne is a great way to ring in 2010.