 Category Focus - February 2008  |
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Conversation Piece
Modern alternatives to dining textiles create a new culture of table talk Elbows off the table! Sip soup—don’t slurp it! Use separate forks for salad and entrée and chew with your mouth closed please! All the rules of dining etiquette rolled into boring formalities. And at one time we’re sure china, crystal and polished silverware were the crux of the table setting. Tastemakers of dining today look less at table manners and focus on functionality, excitement, innovation and visually invigorating experiences during chow time. “Embellishments, embellishments, embellishments,” enthuses Barbara Weston, head of product development team of Tag Ltd., is an element to be encouraged in tabletop this season. Next to global influences dressing the table in African textiles with Alabaster plates and Asian ceramics, Weston foresees modern vintage styles that pair flea market treasures from around the globe with antique heirlooms as another trend to anticipate. Kaya from Danica/NowDesigns’ Medina line for Summer 2008 embarks on a cultural journey with Japanese-inspired elegance. The silk and polyester blend of the Kaya runner fashions pieced color blocks of black, sienna, beige and printed dot and arc designs. This simple, clean dinner wear thoroughly exercises Japanese elements in a warm and inviting way to serve an exotic cuisine.
Dwell Studio translates the vintage look with an Anthropologie-esque theme for its Aerial place mats and Thicket napkins. Made of 100 percent linen, Aerial and Thicket reflect the overhead view and close up of 18th and 19th century French and English garden plans. Graphic looks add an artistic personality to the table as seen in Chilewich’s Stix Collection. The printed scribble art on the Stix place mats make a playful, yet textural statement on vinyl in grey and black. Dramatic settings paired with rainbow shades create beautiful contrast to a deep black slate in the Midnight Rainbow line from Bodrum Linens. Black linens are reminiscent of the night sky in an illuminated sheen offset by a rainbow striped runner and color-trimmed black napkins garnished with multi-colored bubble napkin rings. Chicago Textile looks forward to the season’s trends of “bright, fun colors, eclectic designs and functionality.” The balance of function and design is prevalent in the 4me Tabletop Collection as its clean lined, contemporary look transitions in style from one season to the next. Easy-to-clean vinyl place mats, coasters and runners in the line use contrasting stitching for a bold effect. The Horizon Twilight colorway exhibits a relaxed symmetry of sage, mustard, beige, aqua and black stripes. Soft, feminine palettes like that of Tag’s Rosebud Stripe runner take on a clean, yet bright composition equated with the sunny seasons of the year in light raspberry, grass green and baby pink shades. An excellent accent to a kitchen counter or breakfast table, Rosebud sets a modern look in a home-sweet-home mood that attracts baked goods to the table and strikes up a swaping of family recipes. Destination settings attract attention, engage conversation and introduce a fresh look at any gathering. KS Casual by Kim Seybert sets off on an intriguing, chic voyage to the coast with its Coral Reef design. Striking Caribbean impressions of reef-shaped placemats, coasters and accessory napkin rings recline in a cool turquoise and navy colorway. The ocean theme stays strong in cotton napkins etched with a reef border. And though the line is upscale, clean up is made easy. The vinyl mats and coasters are stain-friendly. Even without grandma’s china or sterling silver, the modern-chic presence and personality of today’s table textiles are still worth talking about. Resources
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