Say Goodbye to Boring Tableware
December 10, 2007
Update your offerings with contemporary tableware that's colorful, casual or classic
By Stephanie Arasim Portnoy
Yum-O might be the word Rachael Ray uses to describe her brightly colored cookware—so gorgeous that most people just set it on the counter or hang it up to display. This is the latest trend, as entertaining has taken on a more culinary bent. Dishes, flatware, pots and pans are keeping up with the times, as people move from entertaining in the dining room to entertaining in the kitchen. "People have gone away from your typical place setting and flatware and are getting into more home entertaining," says Jackie Jacobson, purchasing analyst for Rymax Marketing Services, a manufacturer's rep and incentive house. "As people step up the design of their kitchen, they want to step up the design of their utensils and other accessories," she adds.
"Everything is left on the counter now, so people can easily use these appliances. They're not hidden away under the cabinet, so people want them to look good," Jacobson adds. No longer are we gathering around the dining room table for a formal Sunday dinner, agrees Dottie Connelly, director of special markets for crystal maker Orrefors Kosta Boda. "People want to have fun, enjoy their company in the kitchen, on the patio or sitting around watching Dancing with the Stars," she adds. "Kosta Boda's Mine collection is a perfect example of current trends." With Kosta Boda's incredibly popular Mine glasses, bowls and plates, there's no question of whose bowl is whose, because each piece is unique. Mine addresses our psychological need to have something of our own, if even temporarily. And as host, you can offer choices: Black, white, pink, amber, pale green, dark green, turquoise and blue. With its swirls of rich color, Mine is charming and fun. And beginning at just $15.00 retail, the collection is affordable and very appealing as room gifts, corporate gifts or just a special thank-you."
Steuben, long known for its fine china and gorgeous glassware, has also created more casual pieces to give as gifts to employees. "Our collectible animals and crystal cupcakes are great for employee birthdays," says Sheryl Dubitsky, special markets manager. The tortoise collection of crystal glasses also has a more casual appeal. "That's why it does so well for us," she says. Each glass is pure lead crystal—so comfortable in the palm—with the sculptural precision inherent in Ted Muehling's nature-inspired designs. The faceted bases (including that of the fresh-looking stemless champagne glasses) are hand polished to achieve their remarkable brilliance.
Entertaining Cookware
Rachael Ray has helped make it less intimidating to entertain in the kitchen by means of her show on the Food Network. Her simple meals, created in 30 minutes—and often on a shoestring—have radically changed the way America cooks dinner. This cookware set is hard-anodized for durability and even heating. A nonstick interior lets you enjoy low-fat cooking while allowing foods to slide out of the pan easily. Grippy, fun, silicone handles are comfortable in your hand and oven-safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. www.rymaxinc.com
An International Affair
Fine china in white with silver or gold accents is great in some circles—but when your employees want to go global, they can embrace the NewWave Caffé Colours of Africa collection. The line is available in three different pattern styles—Amboseli, Mombasa and Okavango (pictured). Each pattern includes a large and small party plate/saucer as well as cups in four different sizes—mug, café au lait, cappuccino and espresso. www.villeroy-boch.com
The New Standard
Lismore Essence, an update on the classic, is a glass that should always be half-full: a perfect incentive reward for those who appreciate wine as well as an old-wealth aesthetic. The Essence goblet's oversized bowl is supported by an attractively thin and modern stem. Best of all, the line is dishwasher-safe, offering low-maintenance luxury at its very finest. www.waterford.com
At Your Service
Tiffany & Co.'s Governor tray offers a classic, elegant design with beautiful Art Deco influences. It can be used for everything at a dinner party or quiet meal with loved ones, from passing canapés to serving hot toddies after a fantastic holiday meal. Made of sterling silver, the tray is an heirloom-quality reward that will not only thank your employees for their service, but will also serve them for years to come. www.business.tiffany.com
What Lies Beneath
When it comes to table linen, Pratesi is a label synonymous with regal quality. It's only fitting, then, for your best employees to enjoy the Tuscany-made Figna lace tablecloth (pictured right)—a modern interpretation of a lace once created for the Italian royal family trousseau. Let it set the scene for luxury in the recipient's home—although he or she may want to save the red wine for another meal. www.pratesi.com
It's All in the Details
Help your employees show the love at every place setting with these silver-plated napkin rings, part of Vera Wang's popular Love Knots tabletop collection. They come gift-boxed in a set of four—and are an excellent way for the recipient to show his or her guests how much care is taken in every aspect of a holiday get-together. www.waterford.com
Dish It Out With Sophistication
To bring a sense of sophistication and a festive feeling to any dinner party, lay it all out on the table with Xavier Gold bone china. Each piece of the collection offers an opulent gold-and-red brocade border along with ivory dots and gold detailing. Although the line is perfect for the holidays, it will also inspire your employees to create special occasions so that they can use it throughout the year. www.noritake.com
Make Every Occasion Feel Like A Holiday
The clean lines of Oneida's Stave collection of flatware will bring a contemporary feeling to a tabletop. Dishwasher-safe and made of high-performance stainless steel, each five-piece place setting has a highly polished sheen and a weightiness that can best be appreciated when you grasp a piece in your hand. Since the line is guaranteed never to be discontinued, future generations can add to it as needed, for a gift that keeps on giving. www.oneida.com
Luxurious Linen
Léron has been creating couture table and bed linen for those who appreciate the finer things since the beginning of the 20th century. A 24-piece set includes 12 linen place mats and 12 napkins that have been hand-embroidered in Madeira. They are in stock adorned with green embroidery, but can be custom-made in any color. Just remember that good things come to those who wait—a four-month lead time is needed for custom colors because of the rigorous hand work. www.leron.com
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