May 29, 2008
Placemats That Pop

Each of Publique Living's ingenious PopMat placemats are embellished with a pop-up miniature scene. Doubling as place cards, the birdcage, mailbox, and tree graphics each contain a designated space to write your guest's name. $25 for a set of 10, in white sand or natural kraft, at Charles and Marie. [via Oh Joy!]
Posted by Josh Friedland on May 29, 2008 in Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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May 05, 2008
Destination Japan
Silicone chopstick rests by Shukoh Hayashi are twisted to form the shape of a helix. $30 for five.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has created Destination: Japan, a collection of more than 100 products (exclusive to the MoMA Store) created by established and emerging Japanese designers. We've sifted through them to find culinary-oriented products, from cooking gadgets to barware and tableware. Below are highlights of some of the more stylish, useful, intriguing, and amusing designs.
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A folding bread board folds small for a round loaf or extends to slice a baguette. $75. |
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Posted by Josh Friedland on May 5, 2008 in Gadgets, Guides, Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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April 15, 2008
Chalkboard Chic
Joerg Gaetjens' Chalkboard Napkin Rings not only spiff up your table setting, they also function as reusable place cards. Write the names of your guests on the napkin rings with a slate pencil and erase with the sponge eraser (both included). While they may be pretty nifty, the price ($65) seems a little steep. After all, you could simply pick up some unfinished rings and chalkboard paint and make your own on the cheap. $65 for a set of four at MoMA.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Apr 15, 2008 in Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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April 01, 2008
Alter Ego
CB2's
Beaker Glasses may look just like plastic cups, but they are actually made of handblown lab glass. They are so light and thin that you might even mistake them for their disposable doppelgängers. And, they're even stackable. The glasses come in two sizes: the cooler glass (10.5 oz.) is $3.95 and the juice glass (6.5 oz.) is $1.95 at CB2.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Apr 1, 2008 in Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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March 17, 2008
The Postmodern Martini
The seemingly endless design possibilities of thermal glassware are well-documented on this site, from a novel french press to shape shifting glasses for liqueur, beer, or wine. Here's another stunning example: Alissia Melka Teichroew's Inside Out Martini Glasses, which surround the iconic cocktail vessel with a water glass-shaped exterior. A set of two is $68 at the MoMA Store.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Mar 17, 2008 in Drink, Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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March 04, 2008
Bottle Art
Laser-etched, hand-inked Lux Apts Milk Bottles, festooned with charming drawings of townhouses, show off the work of designer Julia Rothman. The limited edition ceramic bottles are $65 (in gray or red) at ReForm School. [via Design*Sponge]
Posted by Josh Friedland on Mar 4, 2008 in Art and Paper, Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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November 30, 2007
Eat Anywhere

The Table-less Meal Kit by Simplicitas includes nifty multi-utensils (combining a knife, fork, and spoon), mugs, and dishes that fits together to form a compact set of tableware for two. Perfect for for an an impromptu picnic just about anywhere (and probably also quite useful for for feeding a toddler on-the-go). $38 at Flight 001.
Image: Simplicitas.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Nov 30, 2007 in Shopping List, Tableware, Travel | Permalink
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November 29, 2007
Inside Out

These Inside Out Liqueur Glasses, designed by Alissia Melka Teichroew, are shaped like tumblers on the outside, with glass silhouettes within. Made of mouth-blown borosilicate glass, the glasses are also available as champagne flutes. $55 for a pair of the liqueur glasses and $65 for two champagne flutes at the MoMA Store.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Nov 29, 2007 in Shopping List, Tableware | Permalink
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May 08, 2007
Cube Control
Kathleen Hills' bone china Sugar Lump dispenser keeps all your cubes in a row. Perfect for obsessive compulsives and tic tac toe aficionados. $34 at Greener Grass Design.
Posted by Josh Friedland on May 8, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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April 24, 2007
Chill Out
Eva Solo's Fridge Carafe evokes the shape of a milk bottle and is designed to fit inside your refrigerator door compartment. A flip-top lid keeps unwelcome flavors out of your chilled water while stored, and a neoprene insulating jacket -- available in multiple colors -- zips up the carafe to keep its contents cool from refrigerator to table.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Apr 24, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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April 19, 2007
Ergonomic Eating

The odd-looking flatware by CurvWare is ergonomically designed to function as a natural extension of the hand (that's a fork in the photo). But, the "ErgoChic" utensils come at a hefty price. One three-piece set will set you back $99 at CurvWare. Via bookofjoe.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Apr 19, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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March 30, 2007
Proboscis Party!
Grab a drink and get a nose job. Pick Your Nose party cups come in 12 different combinations of nose, mustache, and dental work: "A must for your next party, and the perfect gift for any plastic surgeon who loves to do rhinoplasties." $18.75 for a pack of 24 cups at The Spoon Sisters.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Mar 30, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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March 26, 2007
Bamboo for Baby
Most baby utensils are made of plastic (excepting these high-styled Danish models), but bambu's cutlery for babies and kids is made of renewable, organically grown bamboo (the company also makes a starter cooking utensil set for gastronomes in training). The lightweight, dishwasher safe cutlery retails for $9.95 (baby) and $5.95 (kids) at greenfeet.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Mar 26, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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March 16, 2007
Kid Cutlery
Rosendahl's Children's Cutlery, comprised of a spoon with a looped handle and a garden hoe-esque knife/pusher, was created by the late Danish designer Kay Bojesen with the ergonomic needs of children in mind: "Round and angular handles are tiring to eat with, because they roll between the fingers and irritate the palm of your hand. The flat handle, however, rests very differently and correctly on your fingers and in the hand." $45 at The Magazine. [via Charles and Marie]
Posted by Josh Friedland on Mar 16, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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February 23, 2007
Felt + Fruit
Inspired by the design of egg crate and crafted from industrial felt, the Eggflat makes a fine tabletop resting place for your fruit. And when it's not being used, it folds flat for ease of storage. $52 at Branch. [via design sponge]
Posted by Josh Friedland on Feb 23, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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February 12, 2007
Get a Grip
The usual advice for holding a wine glass is to grasp the stem and keep your 98 degree paws far away from the wine. However, these counterintuitive Glass of Truth Tumblers are designed with indentations for your thumb and finger to encourage heat transfer so that "the warmth from your hand radiates throughout the wine, releasing aromas and unlocking subtle flavors." $38 for a pair at napastyle.com. [via daily olive]
Posted by Josh Friedland on Feb 12, 2007 in Drink, Tableware | Permalink
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January 05, 2007
Spoonstraw Style
Does the image of a spoonstraw evoke a Proustian taste memory of a Slurpee paired with Now and Laters? Well, wipe those memory banks clean because Bodum has transformed the humble utensil into the sleek MIZU Straw Spoon, which is stylish enough for slurping a cup of almond granita. $4.95 at Bodum.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Jan 5, 2007 in Tableware | Permalink
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November 08, 2006
Tricky Trivet
Space-starved New Yorkers, take note: the nifty Propeller Trivet by Danish design firm Menu collapses on its axis, so you can stow it away in a kitchen drawer. I spotted the silicone gadget at at the Milan branch of Italian housewares mini-chain D CUBE, but you can also find it stateside at the Museum of Modern Art. $18 at the MoMA Store.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Nov 8, 2006 in Gadgets, Tableware | Permalink
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November 01, 2006
Coffee for One
Why suffer through undrinkable office coffee, when you can make your own individual brew? Perfect for the workplace, the Coffee for One coffee-maker comprises a ceramic french press pot with a matching, stacking mug. One pot brews 14 ounces of coffee. $26 in red, blue, black, and aqua at wishingfish.com.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Nov 1, 2006 in Coffee, Gadgets, Tableware | Permalink
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Coffee for One
Why suffer through undrinkable office coffee, when you can make your own individual brew? Perfect for the workplace, the Coffee for One coffee-maker comprises a ceramic french press pot with a matching, stacking mug. One pot brews 14 ounces of coffee. $26 in red, blue, black, and aqua at wishingfish.com.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Nov 1, 2006 in Coffee, Gadgets, Tableware | Permalink
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October 23, 2006
Finger Forks
They look like they should be part of a Halloween costume, but these positively Kruegeresque Finger Forks are no joke: "No more sticky fingers! Feel like Edward Scissorhands as you stab at your party food delights. These stainless steel finger forks are ideal for buffets and parties." £3.99 a pair at drinkstuff.com. [via Oh Gizmo!]
Posted by Josh Friedland on Oct 23, 2006 in Tableware | Permalink
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Finger Forks
They look like they should be part of a Halloween costume, but these positively Kruegeresque Finger Forks are no joke: "No more sticky fingers! Feel like Edward Scissorhands as you stab at your party food delights. These stainless steel finger forks are ideal for buffets and parties." £3.99 a pair at drinkstuff.com. [via Oh Gizmo!]
Posted by Josh Friedland on Oct 23, 2006 in Tableware | Permalink
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September 05, 2006
Totally Lit
If martinis don’t get you lit enough on their own strength, consider adding some extra light. While the amusement of light-up plastic martini glasses perhaps best work their magic at say, a classic kitsch bar, they’ll also have the same effect at any festivity, regardless of location. The double helix-shape LED illuminated stem is undoubtedly mesmerizing, plus the reusable glass is at least one thing your guests can take home at the end of the night. $29.99 for set of four from After 5.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Sep 5, 2006 in Tableware | Permalink
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Totally Lit
If martinis don’t get you lit enough on their own strength, consider adding some extra light. While the amusement of light-up plastic martini glasses perhaps best work their magic at say, a classic kitsch bar, they’ll also have the same effect at any festivity, regardless of location. The double helix-shape LED illuminated stem is undoubtedly mesmerizing, plus the reusable glass is at least one thing your guests can take home at the end of the night. $29.99 for set of four from After 5.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Sep 5, 2006 in Tableware | Permalink
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June 28, 2006
Serving Summer

Summer outdoor entertaining holds many joys. Along with some minor dilemmas -- you don’t want to serve delicious seasonal meals on flimsy disposable plates, but you don’t want to risk your favorite breakables either. Jonathan Adler, the shining star of whimsical design, has come up with a solution. His Happy Home line now comes in durable acrylic and Melamine versions so you can use these relentlessly cheerful (as well as affordable) platters, pitchers, martini glasses and plates outside while staying cool and carefree. Other brands of plasticware do exist, but aren’t nearly as fun. $5 to $26 at Velocity Art and Design.
Posted by Josh Friedland on Jun 28, 2006 in Tableware | Permalink
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Serving Summer

Summer outdoor entertaining holds many joys. Along with some minor dilemmas -- you don’t want to serve delicious seasonal meals on flimsy disposable plates, but you don’t want to risk your favorite breakables either. Jonathan Adler, the shining star of whimsical






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