This is pretty interesting...a mixture of plates and bowls all stack up into the shape of a ming vase. To get a close up of the inside imagery (which is really quite lovely), take a look here .

a great selection of plates and bowls and smaller bowls and more plates and it all stacks up in the shape of a ming vase...It’s pretty fantastic, about 15" (40 cm) high, hides 7 different plates and bowls, is made out of Melamine and printed with the most beautiful imagery we have seen from ibride in quite a long time!

$125, Buy it here.

These are some fancy placemats- might be just the thing to brighten up your tabletop for those upcoming summer dinner parties.

Vibrant Flower Placemats, Set of 6, $504 (approx):

Inspired by the upbeat irony of the pop artists color palette, this placemat set is complied of six brightly colored cotton flower mats. Brilliant blue, primary green, azure blue, fuchsia pink, neon yellow and wine red - these colorful mats create a novel table setting. The placemats are machine washable.

Oriental Leaf Placemats, Set of 6, $366 (approx):

This placemat set comprises six coffee-colored cotton oriental leaf mats. The design is inspired by the 'living fossil' ginkgo leaf, which is native of China and famous for its significance to Buddhism. The mats are edged in white stitching, highlighting the leaf detail. The placemats are machine washable.

Tropical Flower Placemats, Set of 6, $592 (approx):

This placemat set is compiled of six white cotton tropical flower mats. The design is inspired by the tropical hibiscus flower. The pollen detail of the flower is illustrated with ivory and beige embroidery. The placemats are machine washable.

Set of 6, $399 and up, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Oh-so-clever.

Even if the guy's dressed in his favorite old white tee shirt, with this napkin at his neck he'll actually look like he made the effort to get dressed for dinner. A great conversation piece at any party. There are 20 paper napkins to a package. Cello wrapped.

$5.95, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

This sushi set certainly evokes a lily pond; I like how the forms are handled simply and how they manage to be fun in an understated, elegant way.

It is important to remember that the objects presented here, just like the ones in the Chin Family, characters or flowers and fruits, each performing the roles of domestic household objects, are made partly in hand-decorated plastic and partly in fine bone china, also hand-decorated. The magic of Giovannoni’s design lies in the fact that these objects recall the grace of 18th century ceramic trinkets, while at the same time being utterly contemporary...

Sushi set composed of: plate and chopsticks in melamine, small plate for soy sauce and chopsticks holder in fine bone china. Hand-decorated.
$94.00, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

This delicate leaf patterned cup is available in black leaf on a white background or white leaf on a black background, so you can pick whatever floats your boat.

"The Leaf Cup is a remarkable piece because of its artist quality pattern. The silhouette edge is finely detailed, as if actual leaves were placed around the cup. This porcelain cup is finished in a matte back glaze."

Material: Porcelain
2" dia. x 3.5"H
Designed by: Masahiro Mori
Produced by: Design Mori, Japan
Black Leaf or White Leaf
$18.00, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

If you're serious about your BBQ prep, these tools and side table by Carl Mertens will set you up properly.

The Carl Mertens Mano BBQ Side Table puts a sturdy, durable surface near the grill for quick access to tools and other grill-side essentials. The Mano BBQ Side Table was designed by Axel Wowereit and features stainless steel.

Side Table, $300.00, Buy it here.
16.5" l, 12.6" w, 25.2" h

• High-grade 18/10 Stainless Steel frame.
• White Laminate table top.
• Opening for hooking BBQ tools.

BBQ Tools, $220.00, Buy it here.

• High-grade 18/10 Stainless Steel.
• One Fork, one Spatula, and one pair of Tongs.
• Hook on end of each tool for hanging.
• Storage pouch that converts into an apron.

[posted by katie]

These table linens by Chilewich have such a nice pattern; they almost have the look of a modernized lace (maybe).

"They look delicate, but have the strength and durability of all Chilewich's products. Beautiful, durable and washable."

Available in Black, White, Citron, Grass, Smoke.

Pressed Vinyl Dots Placemat, $15.00, Buy it here.
Dimensions: Rectangle: W 14" x L 19"
Sold in packs of 2

Pressed Vinyl Dots Table Runner, $24.00, Buy it here.
Dimensions: W 14" x L 72"

[posted by katie]

If a kitchen utensil set can be described as lovely, then this one is.

...his design for his 5-piece Kitchen Utensil Set culminates with different thickness along the laminated handle and has a modern catering feel. Beautiful and highly functional, the set comprises ladle, spoon,fork,spatula and skimmer, in a choice of satin or polished stainless steel.

[via Remodelista]

[posted by katie]

The etched floral pattern in these short tumbler glasses create a lovely effect.

by Jakub Berdych for Qubus design studio (2007)
3" dia. x 3.75"

[posted by katie]

It's strange how such a simple 'tweak' can update an old pattern into something that complements the modern table setting.

A lovely combination of east and west, the Chinese Whisper features standard willow patterns on standard ceramic plates, cups and saucers. Alone, this would seem rather common, but with a simple tweak in manufacturing, the patterns are mismatched, adding a clean, contemporary edge to a classic design.

Small plate: 7.75" dia.
Large plate: 10.5" dia.
Cup: 3" dia. x 2.75"H
Saucer: 5.75" dia.

[posted by katie]