Top of the Table: Market Review

Last week was Table Top week in NYC. Twice a year, the industry involved in the design + manufacturing of stunning plates, dishes, flatware, glasses + a host of other gifty items presented the newest designs to industry buyers + press.   These taste-makers are treated royally in hope of these wares ending up on department / specialty store shelves + ultimately in your home...the end consumer.

All is well when we see buyers from all over the map, globe-trotting around the city, still with their corporate buying jobs. All doing what we love to do: spot trends + shop, shop, shop.

Our ultimate goal is to create an individual "Home" that is  a pleasing, peaceful place to be. After all... living well is ultimately the best revenge.

A little Zen from Donna Karan for Lenox.

On the opposite side of the design spectrum is this typical busy pattern from Versace by Rosenthal.

Just the proper dash of preppy blue, courtesy of Hermes.

We saw these recognized designers licensing their names to well known china companies. All presented concise collections with their signature point-of-view.

The name Lenox, immediately denotes ivory fussy objects trimmed in gold, that people used give as "Engagement" gifts. Never would I think of the collections above. Pretty.

Reed + Barton featured this very nice Chain Link Collection, better seen on their site.

Glam was still gleaming  with showy crystal masterpieces only fit for a mansion {maid required to insure the shine factor}.

This chandelier absolutely took my breath away, by Saint-Louis, in the Hermes showroom.

Major sticker shock at Waterford, where furniture was the theme of the day. So movie-star paparazzi to have the frame of the mirrors light-up + throw a glow! Actually, it was the juxtaposition of the high + the low, the showroom's natural concrete floor - that was the real winner.

Maybe this market temporarily filled my insatiable appetite for world class inspiration.

In reality, yesterday I purchased some simple basic  white salad bowls from Corning. I know ~ SO plain Jane ~ but the size + squarish shape are perfect, $8.99 each.