AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020
THE TABLEWARE SOURCE
Celebrate 60 years of
FEATURING GIFT & HOME
SEPT. 21–23, 2020 Join us at Fall Design Week for access to leading trends, products and showrooms you won’t want to miss, plus a virtual education experience leading up to the show to help take your business to the next level. AmericasMart.com/FDW @AmericasMartATL | #AtlMkt
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©2020 International Market Centers, LLC
PHOTOS: BOBO INTRIGUING OBJECTS, ZUO, SILO RUGS
Mottahedeh
Mottahedeh & Co. 800-242-3050 @mottahedehchina
B A C C A R AT. C O M HARMONIE
this Labor Day N E W YO R K • G R E E N W I C H • PA L M D E S E R T • S O U T H C OA S T P L A Z A • L A S V E G A S • H O U S T O N • M I A M I
TABLEWARE
AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2020
32
20
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SPOTLIGHT PATTERN – COSTA NOVA PLANO
PLANO stoneware’s unique vintage appeal is one strategy that COSTA NOVA hopes will lure consumers. This eco-friendly, reusable, and recyclable collection makes use of local natural resources and minimizes its ecological footprint with just a single firing which saves energy and reduces emissions into the atmosphere.
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BUTTERFLY MEADOW @ 20 BUTTERFLY MEADOW, launched by Lenox in 2000, may be the most popular tableware collection of this millennium. It is Lenox’s bestselling pattern and has grown so large it’s become a brand of its own. It’s fitting that china is the traditional gift for a 20th wedding anniversary because Butterfly Meadow celebrates with limited edition pieces spotlit with a lone gold butterfly or dragonfly.
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ROSANNA LAUNCHES BLOOM BLOOM is an innovative collection, teeming with a variety of tableware and giftware, the latest in a long line of designs for ROSANNA that layers patterns, shapes, and materials to fascinating effect. “Layering in tabletop is just as valid in the home as it is in fashion,” says designer Rosanna Bowles. Using 12 very common flowers, Bowles has created a very uncommon collection.
10 TABLEWARE TODAY
B A C C A R AT. C O M BE@RBRICK
REFLECTIONS FALL 2020
PREORDER NOW: 800.221.6330 N E W YO R K • G R E E N W I C H • PA L M D E S E R T • S O U T H C OA S T P L A Z A • L A S V E G A S • H O U S T O N • M I A M I
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Departments 14 18 26 28 30 50
FROM THE EDITORΎΎΎΎΎƙΎɄȷȳɅΎȴɀȽȻΎɂȶȳΎȳȲȷɂȽɀ INDUSTRY NEWSΎΎΎΎΎơȼΎȰɀȷȳȴ˶ΎɂȯȰȺȳɂȽȾΎȼȳɅɁ SELLING THE TABLEΎΎΎΎΎ21ɁɂΎȱȳȼɂɃɀɇΎȻȯɀȹȳɂȷȼȵ RESTAURANT TABLEWAREΎΎΎΎΎƞȽȽȲɁȳɀɄȷȱȳΎȴȷȳȺȲΎɀȳȾȽɀɂ SHOW TIMESΎΎΎΎΎƙΎȻȯɀȹȳɂΎȱȯȺȳȼȲȯɀ THE LAST WORDΎΎΎΎΎƯȶȯɂ̃ɁΎȽȼΎɇȽɃɀΎȻȷȼȲ˾
COVER: A true British classic, Botanic Garden was designed by Susan Williams-Ellis using early 19th century illustrations as her inspiration. Botanic Garden’s delightful mixture of floral motifs and signature leaf border set a new trend for casual dining when introduced in 1972 and is just as stylish today. Each piece made at the Portmeirion factory in Stoke-on Trent passes through 22 pairs of hands. Botanic Garden is safe for use in the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. Every piece, new and old, continues to tell the magical Botanic Garden story. New York showroom at 41 Madison Avenue, 19th floor. (203) 729-8255; www.portmeirion.com
10 TABLEWARE TODAY
A new line of everyday f latware STAINLESS STEEL • LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
The hammered texture of Surry creates a sense of movement as it catches the light. The classic shape provides an elegant look with a modern feel. Available exclusively at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores and at www.bedbathandbeyond.com Robinson® ĜŸ ± ųåčĜŸƋåųåÚ Ƌų±Úåĵ±ųĩ Ņü ŅÆĜĹŸŅĹ BŅĵå {ųŅÚƚÏƋŸ FĹÏţØ ŏƁlj X±ƵųåĹÏå åĬĬ %ųĜƴåØ ƚĜƋå ŏŏljØ ĜĬĬĜ±ĵŸƴĜĬĬåØ c¥ ŏĊƗƗŏţ
FROM THE EDITOR
THE NEW ABNORMAL by AMY STAVIS
TABLEWARE THE TABLEWARE SOURCE
TODAY VOLUME 25 NO. 5
There is scientific proof that dealing with the stresses of COVID-19 can disrupt business as usual in our brains. Don’t I know it. That’d explain the fits and starts in penning this editorial. Researchers recognize the pandemic as an opportunity for a massive, realtime experiment on stress, giving us all a heavy mix of health, economic, and social headaches. And since an end date is nowhere in sight, the pandemic has thrown us into uncharted territory. Which isn’t conducive for editorial writing. There’s little I can say to make it all better. We’re all living in our own bubbles, unsure if our new normal is similar to anyone else’s. But we can be fairly confident in the knowledge that we’re all having a hard go of it. Nearly seven in ten workers say the pandemic is the most stressful time of their professional career, which has aligned with stark increases in new prescriptions of anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, and anti-insomnia medications; 62% note losing at least one hour a day in productivity, and 32% lost at least two hours a day due to coronavirus–related stress. The risk of developing a lifethreatening illness along with the loss of the things that usually anchor us is a brutal one-two-punch that’d leave any of us feeling on edge. Stress shifts people away from thoughtful planning. Sure, stress can be a good thing when it wakes up your brain and body for action and helps performance. However, in its chronic form, there’s greater reactivity and slower recovery of the stress response, resulting in a major strain to the brain and body. And while misery loves company, there’s strength in numbers, and we’re all in this together can bring some comfort, not enough really. 14 TABLEWARE TODAY
It’s normal to feel a sense of hopelessness and loneliness in these surreal and overwhelming times. Just six weeks of chronic stress can lead to depressive symptoms, even in people without a prior diagnosis. And there is just too much uncertainty as we enter a new abnormal.
So what can we be doing during this new abnormal? (A term credited to Mark Cuban and so much more on the nail than new normal.) Wherever we go from here, and no one knows where that is yet, it will be different. There’s no new normal, just a new abnormal, that will challenge our ingenuity and resilience. In this issue, we profile some companies and creators challenging their ingenuity. Costa Nova is a business of tomorrow with a green mission statement that looks to save our planet’s resources through inventive techniques and enterprising agenda. Rosanna Bowles has evolved her self-named operation over decades creating programs that match the times. Her latest, Bloom, is perfect for the way we entertain and live today and is sure to spark a smile, something that could certainly better our mental health. Lastly, we have a 20th anniversary feature on the inimitable Butterfly Meadow. While the collection is a triumph, we can’t say the same for its producer, Lenox, which recently closed its last American factory, furloughed many long-term employees (including the designer who created Butterfly Meadow’s shape), and is now on the selling block. An alarming portent of the new abnormal still to come.
EDITOR/PUBLISHER Amy Stavis amy@tablewaretoday.com
EDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE 58 Seven Oaks Circle Holmdel, New Jersey 07733 Tel: (732) 332-1130 www.tablewaretoday.com
ADVERTISING SALES Amy Stavis (732) 332-1130 amy@tablewaretoday.com
Tableware Today is published six times annually by Bobecca Publishing, Inc., 58 Seven Oaks Circle, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733. Tel: (732) 332-1130. Amy Stavis, president.
Tableware Today, a registered trademark of Bobecca Publishing, Inc., is for retailers of tableware, giftware, gourmet accessories, and home furnishings products. It is intended to assist retailers in merchandising their product assortments more effectively to increase sales. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher and editors have made every reasonable effort to provide accurate information, but assume no liability for the accuracy of text. Copyright© 2020, Bobecca Publishing, Inc., 58 Seven Oaks Circle, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733.
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: TABLEWARE TODAY 58 Seven Oaks Circle Holmdel, New Jersey 07733 amy@tablewaretoday.com
Duality
Based on late 19th century drawings from the Vista Alegre Museum collection, these pieces beautifully merge Vista Alegre’s past with its present. Inspired by opposing natures, Duality creates a balanced dialogue between reason and emotion, moderation and exuberance. On the surface, white prevails, while on the inside colorful flowers burst and swirl in a delicate harmony.
Vista Alegre Showroom, 41 Madison Avenue 9th floor, New York usa@vistaalegre.com • Toll Free: (888) 653-0108 • vistaalegre.com
Aozora Hanabi
noritakechina.com
INDUSTRY NEWS
Florida retailer excites with TOBACCO LEAF mural The 85-year-old GAINES JEWELERS in Lakeland, FL is getting attention thanks to its new wall mural of Mottahedeh’s Tobacco Leaf, an extravagant handpainted design embellished with 27 colors and 22-karat gold. Painted by local artist Gillian Fazio (“More than 100 hours of sweat, love, and paint!” she says), the mural has been a focal point for local selfies. Taylor Saunders, the third generation at this family owned business, says the mural was integral to the recent updating and overhauling of the downtown store. “We’re a traditional store, but we wanted a more modern look,” says the millennial, who has worked at the store since she was a 15-year-old high school student. “We painted all the wood cabinetry white and got new wood flooring to freshen it up.” In deciding which pattern would be ideal to recreate on the building’s façade, Saunders worked in tandem with artist Fazio. “Gillian loved the colors of Tobacco Leaf. And while it’s a traditional pattern dating back to the 18th century, it’s full of bright, contemporary colors.” The mural was unveiled in November coinciding with a year-end celebratory party, which was well-covered by the local media. “The mural is the largest hidden gem in Lakeland,” enthuses Fazio, left, adding she’s not surprised by the positive reaction. “I fell in love with the pattern as soon as I saw it,” she says. “And in this case bigger is really better.” Tobacco Leaf is one of Mottahedeh’s longest running patterns, as popular today as it ever was. Says Mottahedeh president Wendy Kvalheim: “It just shows that good design is timeless.” Kvalheim visited the store for the mural’s unveiling. “I think it’s wonderful,” she says. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Since the mural’s unveiling a number of brides have switched their dinnerware registry to Tobacco Leaf.
www.gainesjewelers.com 18 TABLEWARE TODAY
Conifere
n itak noritakechina.com nori kech hina com
SPOTLIGHT PATTERN
PLANO PLANO stoneware’s unique vintage appeal is but one strategy that COSTA NOVA hopes will lure consumers. This eco-friendly, reusable, and recyclable collection makes use of local natural resources and minimizes its ecological footprint with just a single firing which saves energy and reduces emissions in the atmosphere.
C 20 TABLEWARE TODAY
www.costanova.pt
COSTA NOVA is a picturesque seaside hamlet in central Portugal known for its brightly painted striped huts once used by seamen to store their fishing materials. (The company logo, top left, is an illustration of those much-photographed palheiros.) Portugal is also known for its rich ceramics tradition which dates to the 13th century, when the Moors invaded Iberia bringing their artistry to the peninsula and making Portugal a hotbed for pottery producers. This small Portuguese burg is home to a tabletop brand which bears the name of the fishing village. Costa Nova was founded in 2006 when Miguel Casal wanted to stamp his own brand on the ceramics his factory, Grestel, had been producing for almost a decade and selling to a roster of A-list merchants (Ralph Lauren, Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie). The OEM producer wanted to forge its own branded path so Costa Nova was born. Three years ago the Grestel portfolio grew again with the acquisition of Casafina, the 39-year-old U.S. importer of Portuguese pottery. The now 750-worker operation sells to 55 countries including the U.S., the top market for the producer. Longtime tabletop sales exec Matt Hullfish joined Casafina in 2016 just prior to the acquisition. “The business went from family run to Portuguese-owned,” says the V.P. of sales/general manager, acknowledging the two lifestyle brands have worked hard to differentiate themselves while solidifying their footing as sister entities. “We’re still defining the brands and working on more separation,” Hullfish notes. “Casafina is kitchen, gourmet, and gift-centric while Costa Nova is a
MOTTAHEDEH’s 90 years producing fine quality ceramic antique reproductions and historic designs has created a singular niche in the tableware category, a celebration of history through usable art. Working on hard porcelain faĂŻence and stoneware, Mottahedeh’s roster of licensed fine china reproductions includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Historic Charleston Foundation, Mount Vernon, Winterthur Museum and Gardens, and Monticello. (They’ve also been commissioned by The White House, the State Department, and the Diplomatic Corps to produce collections XVHG LQ RIĂ€FLDO VWDWH FDSDFLWLHV 3URGXFHG IRU WKH PRVW SDUW LQ 3RUWXJDO 0RWWDKHGHK XVHV WLPH KRQRUHG WHFKQLTXHV WR FUHDWH modern classics, primarily based on traditional Chinese exports for the West as well as early European and Chinese designs, applying centuries-old craftsmanship and impeccable attention to detail. “Every piece has a story,â€? says longtime owner Wendy Kvalheim. “Our 90-year-old company focuses on complex and beautiful colors and unique historic shapes in a wide array of tableware and home dĂŠcor accessories.
$8*867 6(37(0%(5
true tabletop and dinnerware resource.â€? Both brands, he adds, are celebrated for their value. “That’s what we’re most known for,â€? Hullfish maintains. “It’s European quality at great value. We own the factory; we’re not an importer. That’s the great differentiator. We provide value as opposed to just being the importer.â€? Costa Nova, like its parent Grestel, is extremely eco-conscious. “Environmental sustainability is a priority,â€? says Hullfish. “Using eco-friendly, 100% recyclable and biodegradable packaging is an important part of our commitment toward a circular economy and a better future. In 2020 and beyond we’ll do our part to take better care of the planet.â€? The company’s multi-prong green agenda includes state-of-the-art technology that only requires a single firing but which still results in a vitrified, durable prodXFW PRYLQJ IURP SODVWLF WR SDSHU WDSH LQVWDOOLQJ VN\OLJKWV VRODU SDQHOV DQG HQHUJ\ HIĂ€FLHQW HTXLSPHQW DW WKH IDFWRU\ and a switch from styrofoam peanuts to biodegradable starch peanuts. “I hope one day U.S. laws outlaw styrofoam and companies will be forced to make this move, but until then I encourage companies to do the smart thing and be sustainable and help the planet for future generations,â€? says Hullfish. Grestel’s most significant eco-friendly innovation has been the development of Eco-GrĂŠs, a reinvented clay made from 22 TABLEWARE TODAY
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 31
30 TABLEWARE TODAY
non-hazardous recycled materials, derived from ceramic surplus and other additives and completely eco-friendly, a two-year project developed in tandem with a local university’s ceramics engineer program. “Grestel sees its products and operations as part of a long life cycle and is committed to taking better care of the community and the world,” says CEO Casal. “In this commitment to sustainability, we’ve developed a new raw material by collecting, recycling, and reusing clays and glazes from our own operations.” The production process begins by collecting clay waste from the factory and combining it with other materials in order to stabilize the final composition. “It’s so innovative we’re one of the only ones doing this,” Hullfish enthuses. Eco-Grés’ inaugural food-safe collection is Plano (pronounced plah-no which means plan in Portuguese), a 21-piece collection of dinnerware and accessories, $11 to $110. “Plano proves that tableware can be made of recycled materials and be completely eco-friendly while remaining beautiful and functional at the same time,” says Hullfish. Plano’s distinct organic shape and unglazed black bottom is reminiscent of old hand-turned studio pottery. Some pieces (like bowls with covers) have been developed with Costa Nova’s strong hospitality clientele in mind. The target consumer is a millennial or Gen Zer. “They care much more where their products are sourced than their parents and grandparents,” says Hullfish. “They’re part of the reason environmentally-friendly has become more of a focus for us. Our efforts toward sustainability are constantly evolving and we can always do something better; we’re always looking for ways to improve our footprint. One small step to sustainability helps us all.” Educating retailers and consumers about the benefits of a recycled stoneware collection like Plano isn’t easy; it requires time and effort. “It’s incredibly difficult for a small brand like ours to pour money into advertising and promotion,” Hullfish acknowledges. “So our story is told at trade shows, by sales reps, and by aligning with e-commerce marketplaces that are good at telling stories. The more folks that tell our story, the better.” Adds Casal: “Producing ceramics in a socially responsible environment is a vital element to us. We make it our mission to commit to ethical business practices, encourage environmental-friendly practices among employees and suppliers, and produce innovative products that satisfy our clients, keeping them loyal.”
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 25
SELLING THE TABLE
MARKETING DURING COVID-19 by DIANE SEIDLE The coronavirus
shooting many videos. Instead,
lockdown has had
he offered one-on-one brainstorming
many businesses
sessions to local businesses on Zoom. In
scrambling to stay
these sessions they discussed ways to uti-
afloat, but it has
lize video to help their business succeed.
also provided
I recently received two free face
ample opportunity
masks from Bellino, a manufacturer of
to take your mar-
fine bedding linens from Italy, appropri-
keting to a new level, try different things,
ate and unexpected gifts. I now have
and get creative juices flowing. Generos-
the same linens on my face as I do on
ity became a favorable strategy and I
my bed. The company also donates 15%
applaud the folks who got it right.
of future purchases to coronavirus relief
What did Michael Aram do on his
efforts. The option that touched me the
cornonacation? He gave us frequent looks
most was the fundraiser for furloughed
Maggie Mitchell was willing to train
at his life at home via Facebook Stories,
employees of a client, a hotel and
anyone interested in contributing, over
like making pancakes and dipping
restaurant chain.
FaceTime. There are Maggie Mitchells
marshmallows into a variety of toppings,
Are you a member of your Chamber
in every community.
each with his young children. Moments
of Commerce? Many chapters hold
like these gave us genuine slices of his
virtual networking groups on Zoom.
retailers with Facebook Shops, a new
life. Master designer Michael Aram is just
Attendees are often businesses with
version of an existing Facebook feature
like us! For me the kicker was the artist
long client lists. If I were an independent
with a similar name, Facebook Page
talking about the inspiration for his sculp-
retailer, I’d be taking copious notes on
Shop. The difference is Facebook Shops
ture, Grass. “Rolling down grassy hills with
the attendees, making connections and
allows retailers to upload product cata-
my nature-loving son, I re-experienced
offering corporate gifts. What you do
logs to their Facebook page or Insta-
nature through his eyes.” Aram stayed
during lockdown may pay off hand-
gram profile, with support from partners,
top of mind by inviting us in.
somely in December.
like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Woo-
When they were closed, Rose & Dove
We’ve never seen big advertisers flip
Even Facebook upped its game for
Commerce. Users will be able to find
Specialty Gifts of North Andover, MA
their strategies and executions so quickly.
these shops directly within the retailer’s
did a Facebook Live trunk show where
Flo and team, the Progressive Insurance
Facebook page or Instagram profile or
where Lisa Paratore, jewelry rep, and
people, are doing their regular shtick on
by clicking on an ad that redirects to
Kellee Twadelle, owner, presented a new
TV via a faux Zoom. Charmin promises
a shop inside Facebook instead of the
collection just before Mother’s Day. Face-
not to run out of toilet paper. Both are
retailer’s website. The main benefit,
book Live is effective because you can
great examples of newsjacking. The
as I see it, is that your customers are
schedule these broadcasts as events and
personal injury law firm, Sobo & Sobo,
already on social media. Just get them
promote them on Facebook. When you
with offices throughout New York, asked
where and when they are.
go live, your friends and followers – in
on Facebook, what color is the coro-
this case Rose & Dove’s more than 4,000
navirus ribbon, which was linked to a
how you’ve kept in touch with your
IDQV ² JHW D QRWLÀFDWLRQ WKDW WKH\·UH OLYH In a previous column I acknowledged Michelle Anderson of LaDentelliere for her authentic videos. Michelle has taken
Over the past months I’ve watched
downloadable PDF. This gave children a
customers. Some of it has been inspira-
project and an opportunity to retarget
tional, others missed opportunities.
parents via the Facebook pixel.
I hope your customers come back in
The making of masks became a
droves, but those businesses that keep
it up a notch, mastering Facebook and
nationwide calling. In late March
their fingers in the digital pot will prob-
Instagram stories. Some are videos, some
during the shortage, governors called for
ably have an easier time getting back
are still photos, complete with eye-catch-
healthcare companies and individuals to
to the new normal. I hope that’s you.
ing stickers and graphics appropriate to
provide gloves, gowns, and masks. Many,
the medium. During the lockdown, Tom
from Giorgio Armani to Pearl Street
Langdon of Talex Media, a video pro-
Alterations in Woodstock, NY, stepped
Diane Seidle is a marketing and social media consultant at The Idea Store.
duction company in Stormville, NY, wasn’t
up to the challenge. Pearl Street owner
diane.seidle@gmail.com
26 TABLEWARE TODAY
RESTAURANT TABLEWARE
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON DINING by GAIL BELLAMY Americans changed
feature the plated menu items and pre-
their dining habits
pared cocktails complete with garnishes
during stay-at-
and classic glassware. These visuals are
home recommenda-
a reminder of what awaits customers
tions and restrictions
when they return to restaurant dining.
arising out of
Tableware remains an integral part
the COVID-19
of the restaurant ambiance. It often ties
outbreak. During
in with dining trends and cuisine styles
April, four out of ten restaurants were
and helps create repeat business. Qual-
closed, according to the National
ity ingredients are a vital part of ethnic
Restaurant Association (NRA). Other
specialties as well as regional dishes and
restaurants quickly pivoted to implement
classics. Authenticity can also expressed
The pandemic may fast-track the growth of existing restaurant trends. Some customers were already sold on the convenience of having their restaurant meals delivered before restrictions set in. Look for patio and rooftop dining to gather momentum, due to social distancing opportunities.
by tableware choices, such as bowls. At Jewel of the South in New Orleans,
At Peppervine in Charlotte, NC, artconscious design features a built-in wine display wall, custom paper lamp shades, a wood sculpture screen, and seasonally changing artwork. Executive chef Bill Greene’s progressive menu incorporates
new pickup and delivery options for
regional dishes include trotters and
customers. Some operators have found
beans (left) and bone marrow cream
locally sourced small plates and
creative ways to keep consumer enthusi-
with potato waffle and caviar (right).
wine-friendly entrées. Contemporary
asm high. Café Ugo in L.A., for example,
Both are served in generous-sized white
dinnerware, whether dark and artisanal
offers customers a hands-on experience
bowls that highlight the artistry of the
or sleek and white, sets off the colors
with pizza kits and cannoli kits to go.
food. Beaker & Gray in Miami presents
and style of various menu items.
With an estimated million-plus
its glass noodles with green papaya,
At the new Annabelle Restaurant in
restaurant locations across the country,
peanuts, and
Washington, D.C., plating presentations
the NRA says 63% of customers would
chili vinaigrette
are part of the experience. Specialties
rather spend on an experience than
in an earthy
range from executive chef Frank Ruta’s
purchase an item. For restaurant-goers,
looking asym-
locally inspired appetizer plates (left)
dining out is indeed an experience, a
metrical bowl.
to menu items such as the colorful Yukon
social or celebratory occasion, as well
At beachfront
as a form of entertainment that connects
Lona Cocina
them with family and friends. And while
and Tequileria
takeout orders are a way of American
in Fort Lauder-
life, they simply don’t provide the same
dale, the crab
level of experience as on-premise dining.
guacamole is served in a rustic bowl that
gold gnocchi (right). Pastry chef Aja
references south-of-the-border ingredients.
Cage’s sweet endings include the pav-
Tableware draws customer focus to
lova dessert, an eye-catching roasted
As customers have discovered recently, seeing their favorite menu items
drinks as well
pine-
as food. The
apple
milkshakes
compote,
at Pizza &
ginger
Burger by
cremeux,
Michael Mina in takeout containers rather than on
in Miami Beach have a definite wow
stylish restaurant tableware lacks a little
factor. Traditional style milkshake glasses
glamor. On the other hand, restaurant
show off the contrast and color of the
website images for orders to-go often
shakes and garnishes.
28 TABLEWARE TODAY
and passion fruit sorbet combination. Gail Bellamy has been writing about restaurant food, drink, and design trends for more than 30 years. Her seven books include Design Spirits and Cleveland Food Memories.
WHAT’S NEXT STARTS NOW Access thousands of furniture, gift and home décor resources: • Join Us at Las Vegas Market LVMKT.com/Register • Explore & Source Online LVMKT.com/Exhibitors
NEW DATES August 30 - September 3, 2020 Explore at LasVegasMarket.com
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FE ATURED LINES: Abbiamo Tutto, E. Lawrence, Ltd., Aesthetic Movement ©2020 International Market Centers, LLC
SHOW TIMES
AUGUST
OCTOBER
JANUARY
13-18
13-20
6-12
ATLANTA
NEW YORK
DALLAS
ATLANTA MARKET. AmericasMart. Temporaries: 8/14-17 (800) ATL-MART www.americasmart.com
TABLETOP SHOW 41 Madison (212) 686-1203 230 Fifth Avenue (800) 698-5617 www.41madison.com www.230fifthavenue.com
TOTAL HOME AND GIFT MARKETS Market Center (800) DAL-MKTS www.dallasmarketcenter.com
19-25
12 -19
DALLAS
ATLANTA
GIFT AND HOME SHOW Market Center. (800) DAL-MKTS www.dallasmarketcenter.com
INTERNATIONAL GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET AmericasMart. Temporaries, 1/13-17. (800) ATL-MART www.americasmart.com
13-21
30-Sept. 3
HIGH POINT
LAS VEGAS
HIGH POINT MARKET (800) 874-6492 www.highpointmarket.org
LAS VEGAS MARKET World Market Center Las Vegas Temporaries: 8/30-9/2 (888) WMC-SHOW www.lasvegasmarket.com
18-20 NEW YORK NY NOW: RETAIL RENAISSANCE Javits Center (800) 465-5514 230 Fifth Avenue (800) 698-5617 41 Madison (212) 686-1203 www.nynow.com www.230fifthave.com www.41madison.com
PARIS
20-22
MAISON & OBJET. Paris Nord. (703) 589-4850 www.maison-objet.com
NEW YORK
AUTUMN FAIR National Exhibition Centre (609) 921-0222 www.autumnfair.com
19-22 MILAN HOMI MILANO. Milan Fairgrounds www.homimilano.com
23-25
SHOPPE OBJECT Pier 36 @ 299 South Street (718) 797-5750 www.shoppeobject.com
20 -23 HONG KONG MEGA SHOW PART 1 MEGA SHOW PART 2, Oct. 27-29 Convention and Exhibition Centre www.mega-show.com
23-27 GUANGZHOU CANTON FAIR. International Pavilion www.cantonfair.org.cn
DALLAS GIFT AND HOME SHOW Market Center. (800) DAL-MKTS www.dallasmarketcenter.com 30 TABLEWARE TODAY
NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO Javits Center. (800) NRF-HOW2 www.nrf.com
MILAN
4-8
BIRMINGHAM
NEW YORK
22-25
SEPTEMBER
6-9
17-19
Check with market organizers for date changes due to COVID-19.
HOMI Milan Fairgrounds www.homimilano.com
22-26 PARIS MAISON + OBJET Paris Nord (703) 589-4850 www.maison-objet.com
24-27 DUBLIN SHOWCASE IRELAND RDS Ballsbridge (212) 371-3600 www.showcaseireland.com
24-28 LAS VEGAS LAS VEGAS MARKET World Market Center Las Vegas (888) WMC-SHOW www.lasvegasmarket.com
Turning the tables, together. Visit 41Madison.com for updates and more information.
Oct 13 – 16, 2020 April 13 – 16, 2021 10 Strawberry Street Alessi Anchor Hocking ARC ARC Cardinal Artland BauscherHepp Inc. B.I.A. Cordon Bleu Blue Pheasant Bormioli Rocco Glass Cambridge Silversmiths Canvas Home &DVDƃQD &HUWLƃHG ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &KULVWRƄH Circle Glass Costa Nova Crystalite Bohemia Inc. Darbie Angell Daum-Haviland Degrenne Paris Denby USA Deshoulières Eleven75 Home Ercuis Euro Ceramica, Inc. FIESTA® Gibson Overseas Godinger Group Gourmet Settings Hampton Forge Herend Hermès Home Essentials
A Rudin Family Building
Homer Laughlin China Iittala J. Seignolles The Jay Companies John Jenkins Hospitality joseph joseph Juliska Kosta Boda L’OBJET LAV Lee’s Group International Lenox Corporation Libbey LSA International Luigi Bormioli MATCH Mepra Moser Mottahedeh Mr. Christmas Nambé Nikko Ceramics Noritake Oneida Orrefors Over & Back Pasabahce USA Portmeirion Prima Design Puiforcat Qualia Glass R Squared RAK Porcelain Ralph Lauren Home
Raynaud Reed & Barton REVOL Ricci Argentieri Richard Ginori 1735 Riedel Crystal Robert Haviland & C. Parlon Robinson Home Products Ronnie Fischer & Co Rosenthal USA Royal Albert Royal Copenhagen Royal Doulton Royal Limoges Royal Worcester Saint-Louis Sambonet Signature Housewares Spode Steve Dolce Marketing TarHong Typhoon Homewares Tzeng Shyng Vietri Vidivi Villeroy & Boch Vista Alegre WMF Waterford Wax Lyrical Wedgwood William Yeoward Crystal Zrike Brands
A golden anniversary for a golden collection 32 TABLEWARE TODAY
BUTTERFLY MEADOW, LAUNCHED BY LENOX IN 2000, may be the most popular and salable tableware collection of this millennium. Certainly, it’s Lenox’s best-selling pattern and has grown so large over the years that in some ways it’s become a brand of its own. It’s fitting that china is the traditional gift for a 20th wedding anniversary because Butterfly Meadow is celebrating its 20th with limited edition pieces spotlit with a lone gold butterfly or dragonfly. Over the decades, this singular sensation has been splendidly leveraged with a variety of dinnerware designs, flatware, glassware, giftware, figurals, melamine, and serveware, keeping collectors happy as well as welcoming a broad range of first-time purchasers delighted by the colorful butterflies, bumblebees, dragonflies, and flowers. The pattern was designed by freelancer Louise Le Luyer who grew up in the British Isles and was inspired by its verdant gardens and natural environs. The shape is courtesy of one-time Lenox creative designer Tim Carder, who was tasked with creating a casual collection that would propel Lenox into a less formal arena. “We started with a unique shape, a coupe I developed with scalloped edges and a decorative bead, a shape that works well in casual ware,â€? he said. The mix and match collection has skyrocketed in sales and SKUs over the last two decades, culminating with the gold-accented 20th Anniversary Collection. The microwave-safe gold design sports a special backstamp indicating it’s from the 2020 anniversary series and is only available this year. Fawn Ostriak is /HQR[¡V FKLHI FUHDWLYH RIĂ€ FHU DQG OLNH PDQ\ FRPSDQ\ H[HFV LV SOHDVDQWO\ EHPXVHG E\ Butterfly Meadow’s phenomenal success. “I can’t believe how many different pieces we’ve created and how we’ve reinvented the pattern so many times,â€? she says. “And that’s the fun of it, really. Butterfly Meadow is a classic with
www.lenox.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 33
34 TABLEWARE TODAY
a timeless look. With each new addition we try to find moments that feel fresh and capitalize on current trends. It’s definitely a creative challenge, but one that we have a lot of fun with.” Ostriak has been with Lenox almost as long as Butterfly Meadow has been around. “During that time you can see how the design has evolved,” she says. “We’ve tried all kinds of things to stretch the look, from toile to birds to herbs. There’s definitely a lot of variety in what we’ve done, but what resonates most is when we stay true to the pattern. It’s feminine and soft and cheerful.” Still, there must be a fine line between jumping the shark and venturing into new creative categories. It’s tricky, Ostriak allows. “At some points we stretched outside the core with all kinds of figurals, taking it into the barnyard with roosters and pigs and chicks. But our customers seem to love whatever we do and can’t get enough of the new. We always stay true to the ethos of the pattern.” According to industry analysis expert NPD, Butterfly Meadow has been tableware’s top-selling tableware pattern since 2006. “It’s a significant part of the Lenox portfolio,” affirms Ostriak. “It was a hit from the start, the right product at the right time.” Today there are more than 200 active SKUs, but there have AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 35
been thousands of items launched over the past two decades. The consumer has evolved over the last 20 years, necessitating that Butterfly Meadow also evolve. “We always seem to come up with new ideas,” says Ostriak. “We’re developing art all the time. We have the usual repertoire of florals and butterflies and find fresh things to add, like a trellis, which really captured the look of the time. (Page 35.) It’s almost like wallpaper was handpainted behind the butterflies and florals. We went through a pastel period. We developed shades of blue and turquoise which fit interior trends, always with an eye on the way people live and entertain and the types of food they eat. One of our strengths is we never go in and out of trends. Not only are we reinterpreting the design and aesthetics, but we’re evolving the functionality. People are into one-dish meals so we added more bowls and dinner bowls, more versatile items. Bowls are a big deal in Butterfly Meadow. We have every possible size and shape. We also moved outdoor with melamine and acrylic because outdoor entertaining is such a big deal.”
nd that helps explain why Butterfly Meadow has become such a great collectible in an era when collecting is so passé. “Once people fall in love with the collection it becomes contagious to own many coordinating accessories,” says Beth Baer, V.P. of dinnerware. “Consumers look to the accessory pieces for their entertaining needs and, in the past two years, we’ve seen a significant boost in sales with the introduction of the kitchen category.” Kitchen includes decorative and functional baking and mixing bowls, knife sets, and cutting boards. “This is a big category for us,” adds Ostriak. “The patterns are decorative so they can be kept out all the time.” Despite the range of accessory items, dinnerware is and always has been the best selling SKU. “What attracts consumers is the mix and match ability,” says Baer. “In our best-selling 18-piece set there are six different dinner plates, six different accent/ salad plates, and six different mugs. Each has different florals and butterflies, providing consumers with the freedom to mix and match and create a beautiful English garden.” The beauty of Butterfly Meadow, $15 to $438, is its robust year-round sell through, mostly at department stores. “Butterfly Meadow 36 TABLEWARE TODAY
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 37
38 TABLEWARE TODAY
appeals to a broad range of consumers, those looking to update or replace their dinnerware, and even younger consumers and brides,” says Baer. “We saw a big increase in bridal registries at Macy’s specifically this past year.” Adds Ostriak: “We’re seeing an uptick with younger consumers. We’re delighted to see Butterfly Meadow resonates with all customers.” The blockbuster has been licensed to numerous home furnishings categories including linens, kitchen and bath accessories, stationery, bedding, and paper goods, and is a global, not merely national, phenomenon. For the 20th anniversary, in addition to the new gold pieces there’s exclusive anniversary packaging. “We wanted this year to feel special,” enthuses Ostriak. “And although the accents are gold, they’re subtle so it doesn’t scream super-formal.” Looking ahead, Ostriak says we can anticipate Butterfly Meadow Easter in spring 2021 as well as a line of kitchen gadgetry. “What can we look forward to is always a big question for us,” says the design exec. “And we’re all excited to see what we come up with as well. We understand that Butterfly Meadow is a treasured favorite and we treat it with the specialness it deserves. It’s Lenox’s big success and will go down in tableware history as one of the best all-time American classics.” AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 39
ROSANNA BOWLES
30 TABLEWARE TODAY
BLOOM is an innovative collection, teeming with a variety of tableware and giftware, the latest in a long line of designs from ROSANNA that layers patterns, shapes, and materials to fascinating effect. " Layering in tabletop is just as valid in the home as it is in fashion," says Bowles. Using 12 very common flowers, Bowles has created one very uncommon collection. by Amy Stavis
www.rosannainc.com
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 31
30 TABLEWARE TODAY
ROSANNA BOWLES IS AN INSPIRATIONAL DESIGNER, bursting with range and creativity. Since 1982, she’s amassed a prolific portfolio of giftware, dinnerware, and accessories, complete collections perfect for self-purchase or gifting, thanks to inventive packaging often as compelling as the product itself. Recognized as a design and entrepreneurial leader, Bowles has been featured in scores of favorable press reports as she’s launched her business to the top of a competitive, male-dominated market. As the industry, the consumer, and lifestyles have changed, Bowles has maintained and repeatedly motivated a change of pace.
BLOOM includes a selection of organic tableware and inspirational stones. "The stones are small enough for desks and coffee tables and make great giftables," informs designer Bowles. The floral collection (her fave is the sunflower) has a hand-hewn vibe which feels like it's from an artist's atelier. Stunning boxing that can be displayed or presented as a special gift completes the look.
And while the COVID crisis (“the challenge of our lifetime,” she says) has entrenched numerous companies in an economic purgatory, after four decades of riding the waves coronavirus is merely another crest to be bested. “We’re finding ways to weather the storm,” says the Seattle designer. “We were first city to get the virus so we had an early closure of the warehouse. The first month was tough; we couldn’t ship anything. But we focused by boosting our presence online and rebooting our website, spending more ad AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 43
dollars on Facebook and Instagram. We made it easier for mom and pops to drop ship and took discounts off merchandise in lieu of freight allowances. We sent them ideas for storytelling our product. We’re all cooking more; I’ve been cooking three meals a day which I normally don’t do. The home is the center of everything. Our products are more important than ever before. Tableware has moved to every room of the house, it’s not just in the kitchen or dining room, and that’s been very good for our industry.”
"I just adore these irregular nesting bowls," enthuses Bowles. "They're asymmetrical with a semi-matte glaze and look like a small grouping of art." BLOOM is beautifully boxed. "The packaging is handmade and makes it easier for mom-and-pops to sell. Our descriptive cards offer info about the flowers."
And that plays right into Bowles’ strengths. Her distinctive signature design aesthetic has snared a shelfful of awards and honors. The Rosanna catalog is also distributed abroad and she’s developed programs for Starbucks, Nordstrom, Macy’s, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Smithsonian Institute, and The White House Historical Association, bolstered by deep-seated relationships with factories. Bowles’ appreciation for delicate objects started early. “I have always loved to set a table,” she enthuses. She was just five when she started collecting Limoges. Every summer she and her family vacationed on the Oregon coast where she was able to purchase a new piece for her collection. Bowles still has a vacation home on the Oregon coast; it’s where she’s sitting out the shelter-at-home order with her daughter, a RISD student. “It’s been 44 TABLEWARE TODAY
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fun having her home, setting tables, using dishes and bowls we haven’t used in long time. Table setting and styling has helped me get through this.” Early this year, before COVID quarantined us, Bowles launched Bloom – a giftable tabletop collection of pedestals, message stones, trays, dishes, flower vases, bowls, mugs, butter dish, dipping dishes, planters, platters, $12 to $80 – that revel in hand-painted watercolors in vibrant tones and hand-hewn organic forms that hearken to a potter’s studio or artist’s atelier. “This collection gives us the opportunity to live closer to nature by bringing it into our homes,” says Bowles. Each piece comes with an insert card explaining the meaning behind certain flowers. (For instance: aster = wisdom; cornflower = wealth; daffodil = rebirth; daisy = innocence; heather = luck; lavender = devotion; lilac = passion; sunflower = adoration.) “Do you know that flowers have a secret language of their own,” Bowles posits. “I chose flowers that were old-fashioned, that could grow in peoples’ gardens. I went to the flower market and bought a bunch for us to recreate.” The us is Bowles and her design staff of five who went to work creating floral still lifes. “They all have their own styles and they do like to compete,” she chuckles. Even the handwritAUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 47
ten Bloom font on the boxing was painstakingly created. “The art department drew several iterations by hand until the lettering looked like it was blooming.” Bloom’s myriad shapes were created specially for the collection. In fact, most Rosanna designs sport their own unique shapes. “We have an industrial designer on staff and we’re able to do a lot of 3-D modeling,” informs Bowles. “I listen to my gut what people want and my feeling is people want authentic merchandise that’s not junk, that’s quality, with a story behind it. With Bloom, we returned to the potters, the people who make things with their hands. I wanted the shapes to be irregular looking, like they just came out of the kiln, all hand-drawn in 48 TABLEWARE TODAY
watercolors. Storytelling means something to customers. We develop collections with authenticity to fit in their everyday life and give retailers ways to tell those stories to customers. People want authentic merchandise.” Bowles’ design process is intriguing. “Once we developed the shapes we xeroxed the art, cut them apart, and laid it on the actual shapes of the bowls, platters, and plates to make sure they worked. To place every flower by hand is unusual, but I wanted to see how every single flower looked on the form.” The six-month process culminated in a 35-piece collection. “In tableware we have to be really inventive and not scare people away,” cautions Bowles. “We design pieces that integrate in every area of the home. Pieces you can see in different parts of the house, like celebratory cake pedestals or inspirational stones. For the stones, I really wanted to do something American.” The stones are handpicked from the Rogue River in Oregon, sandblasted and hand-engraved by a small family business owned by Native American veterans. “The stones from the earth of America place the collection in nature,” says Bowles. “We have stones and beautiful blooms because I envisioned eating outdoors in a forest. I want people to think about the outdoors and how it nourishes us.” Response was immediate and exuberant. “Dozens of retailers just stared at the collection when we debuted in Atlanta,” she says. For the peripatetic and productive Bowles, Bloom is merely the latest in a long line of dazzling and arousing design solutions. “I have a vivid imagination,” she says. “I grew up in nature and went to school in Europe, so art history is my go-to for inspiration. I try to be sensitive to how we live today and what we’re longing for. How can I answer that longing? What tableau can I create that will feed that longing?” Inspiration comes from many vehicles: the New York Times, fashion, music, recreation, current events, technology. And it’s a constant hammering away at staying original, but not always. “I do return to my archives and refresh looks for today’s living,” she says. “I get inspiration from classic tableware. Flowers have always been a big component on dinnerware design. It’s just about making them fresh for how we live currently. And that’s what we’ve done with Bloom.”
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(877) 343-3779
Costa Nova ..............................................(845) 277-5700 Diane Seidle............................................(516) 642-4411 Lenox ........................................................(800) 223-4311 Rosanna ...................................................(877) 343-3779
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 49
THE LAST WORD
FINDING POTENTIAL IN A PANDEMIC by MARY ANN O'BRIEN These are unbeliev-
on to work, live, and play. As they shut
ably crazy times.
down the beaches, trails, bars, and parks
It’s natural to feel
around us, we’re finding new ways to
overwhelmed and
explore, connect, and refresh. Those
afraid; we wouldn’t
forced into a corner will use these
be human other-
circumstances to invent something that
wise. I always see
will change the way we live for the bet-
the upside in any
ter. These inventions will make life easier,
situation. Perhaps it’s because I’m an
which will give us back time and which
entrepreneur that I can’t help but see the
will lead to further innovation.
opportunity in every situation. Like all of
Just as consumers are learning to
The social distancing and quarantine forced upon us will force the hand of something larger and more long-lasting. The technologies that were playing at the periphery of our lives have moved front and center. These inventions will make our lives easier.
us, I was shocked and paralyzed with
adopt new technologies (think of all the
fear at the onset of the coronavirus crisis.
grandmothers out there using Zoom,
However, I quickly moved from fear to
Skype, and Facebook Live for the
can’t let coronavirus change the way
opportunity. Two perspectives helped me
first time), advertisers are learning to
we innovate.
make that mental shift.
leverage the power of new platforms
Those who emerge successful on the
to connect with their audiences. We
other side of this crisis will be the people
about the ripple effect this economic
know that consumers want to hear from
who didn’t give up. Who – when faced
seizure could have on the families of my
brands right now. Advertising has always
with layoffs and loss of revenue or stay-
employees and the clients we serve.
involved finding connection points with
ing silent instead of developing retooled
I don’t want to see anyone suffer and this
audiences and delivering relevant,
messaging and creative – kept moving
reminds me of the pain I lived through
motivating messages at those points.
forward until a new opportunity for
during the 2008 recession. Remembering
Today, those points are changing. More
profit presented itself. At my company,
the past was the first perspective that
conservative brands and their marketers
we’re giving away resources that we
helped me chart a positive path forward.
are learning to advertise on streaming
would normally charge clients for. Those
Back then I lingered. I didn’t want anyone
platforms and in gaming, since that’s
resources are helping other companies
to know my business was hit by the reces-
where people are spending their time.
communicate better and have a better
sion that was overtaking us all. My wait-
While this can be scary for some, it will
chance of surviving this crisis intact. This
ing nearly wrecked my company. I wasn’t
propel us forward. Progress involves
act of generosity is for the good of our
going to let that happen again. I set my
strategic risk and innovation. Thankfully
larger community. I understand that crisis
ego aside and made the moves needed
that’s something that marketers excel at.
is the time for brands and businesses to
Like other business owners, I worry
to secure the future of my business. After
During this time of crisis, it’s easy to
build trust by showing their true colors.
looking back, I shifted my focus forward.
go to a dark place mentally. If you’re a
As marketers, we understand that while
This future-oriented mind-set is the second
business owner, leader, entrepreneur, or
everyone is hurting, some of our clients
perspective that helped me chart a posi-
marketer, this is your time to shine. The
have been harder hit than others. Even
tive path forward. The instant I looked
responsibility is ours to be a ray of light
companies with strong contingency plans
forward, I remembered that necessity is
that reveals new paths forward for busi-
couldn’t have anticipated the complete
the mother of invention.
ness and community. Are you a manufac-
economic seizure we’ve seen unfold.
The social distancing and quarantine
turer? What can you make right now that
When the world does start turning at
forced upon us will force the hand of
people need? How can you contribute in
full speed again, brands that built trust
something larger and more long-lasting.
a way that moves our country and our
and kept talking will be the first ones
The technologies that were playing at
world forward? Facilities that made fiber
people turn to. The seeds of innovation,
the periphery of our lives have moved
four months ago could churn out masks
diligence, and generosity we plant now
front and center. Telemedicine and
tomorrow that will help our healthcare
will bear the fruit of increased opportu-
telecommuting are suddenly necessi-
workers treat us safely through this storm.
nity when this is all over.
ties. No longer choices, food delivery,
Now is not the time to cower in the dark,
virtual payments, digital currencies, and
clinging tightly to what’s slipping through
video conferencing are what we rely
our fingers. We are lateral thinkers and
50 TABLEWARE TODAY
Mary Ann O’Brien is the CEO and founder of OBI Creative, a research-based, innovation-driven advertising agency in Omaha, Nebraska. www.obicreative.com
USA, Inc.
(203)729-8255 www.portmeirion.com