ELEVATE THE LOOK
For an oriental-style garden-inspired look, Shanghai Tang’s Forbidden Garden collection will get you the look. With pieces made of Fine Bone China, expect nothing less than a grand dining setting complete with latticed patterns and botanical prints like bamboo. The Forbidden Garden collection includes teacups, plates, a bowl and spoon set and more. They retail from $150 to $280.
STYLE
1 FESTIVE FLORALS
Dreaming up a romantic candlelight dinner with your loved ones? Get the look with a colourful set-up accompanied by beautiful blooms and tableware in botanical or floral themes.
A FEMININE TOUCH
Designed by Italian fashion design Luisa Beccaria, the Artemest collection reminds us of a fairytale-like whimsical garden, thanks to its floral patterns and pastel hues that’ll easily add a touch of femininity into any dining space. A set of two dessert plates starts from US$250 ($342), and is exclusively available at www.artemest.com.
STYLE
2 DAPPER CLASSICS
The Classical interior design style is easily identified by its iconic combination of architectural details and delicate moulding. When styling a Classicalinspired table setting, select tableware with details such as ridges and trimming around the edges. This way, when you layer the plates and teacups, it creates a visually stunning look that showcases both dimension and texture.
A FORMAL SETTING
Royal Selangor’s Liberty collection is complete with pewter-finished metalware designed with intricately-sculpted curvilinear rims and polished surfaces. The Burke tray and Wallingon coffee pot are priced at $310 and $630 respectively.
FANCY HIGH TEA
With designs that embody elements from the Victorian style, Luzerne’s Lancaster collection is adorned with muted blue, grey and pink floral motifs. It offers a range of pieces including serving plates and a teapot; prices range from $6 to $100.
STYLE
3 STANDOUT MONOCHROMES
Experiment with black and white hues for a dining setting devoid of colours for a cool, edgy feel. Alternatively, layer several shades of the same hue to get a monochromatic look that is muted but elegant.
SUBTLE LUXURY
Serve up cups of coffee and tea in this goldspeckled black mug from homegrown ceramic specialist Ohleaf. Embrace the wabi sabi nature of this set, which retails for $34.
UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE
Like a chrysanthemum in bloom, the details on this handcrafted white plate is set to add a textural effect to any dining setting. Complete the look with other pieces in the collection like a ceramic platter. The Amari ceramic plate retails for $19.95 at Crate and Barrel.
SET THE SCENE
Plain white or black plates may be easy to find but if you are searching for plates and cups in polka dots or stripes, head to Danovel or Egg3. collection has pieces ranging from $6 to $75.
photography ANGELA GUO
STYLE
4 ENERGETIC & CONTEMPORARY
Go bold this season and embrace splashes of colours that’ll accentuate the modern contemporary look in your home. Mix and match stylish tableware in vibrant hues and patterns while impressing guests and whetting their appetites.
YOUNG AT HEART
Like colourful pieces of artwork, the Beatriz salad plates are printed with unique motifs in teal, persimmon, blush, black, and golden yellow to add a playful touch to your dining setting. The set of four glazed stoneware plates is available at Crate and Barrel for $64.95.
SPLASHES OF COLOUR
It’s all about the details with Luzerne’s Organic collection. The colourful tableware has subtle snail-like swirl designs on the base to add a textural look. Pieces in this collection are priced between $8 to $23.
OMBRE HUES
If you’re big on cooking, Le Creuset’s range of castiron cookware can double up perfectly as colourful serving ware on your dining table. The signature buffet casserole (from $569) is available at major department stores.
FUNCTIONAL PICKS
Despite the simple forms in the Besegra collection, they impress with their sky blue and mint hues that will easily add a cheerful and vibrant look at the dining table. Bowls and plates in this collection come in a variety of sizes, and retail for $7.90 for a set of four at Ikea.
STYLE
5 ORGANIC NORDIC
Clean lines, fluid forms and natural materials — these are elements that come to mind when you think of Nordicinspired interiors. So when planning a dining setting to match your Scandinavian-style home, bear in mind these features that will help you get the look.
SLEEK FORMS
The Stelton Theo collection of tea ware, from teapots to milk jugs to coasters, is both rustic yet chic. This stoneware range has a cast-iron finish, coupled with complementary lids or handles made with Asian bamboo to add a touch of warmth. The Stelton Theo collection ranges from $42 for a cup with coaster to $170 for a teapot, from Bibliotek.
BACK TO BASICS
Made with just earth and glaze, Muji’s Banko collection is understated, sleek and unassumingly stylish. Add a unique look by mixing and matching the different-coloured pieces including cups, mugs or plates within the range, priced from $9.90 to $39.
RUSTIC CHIC
Embrace the glaze with Luzerne’s Rustic collection. With the use of reactive glaze, the result is deep, vivid colours that accentuate the details from the natural process of glazing. With a wide variety of ware like plates, saucers and bowls in various sizes and shapes, prices range from $4 to $88.
PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS
Ohleaf’s Flambe Glaze series combines the minimalist design style with natural materials to create a unique range of tableware that embraces imperfections resulting from the glazing process. Prices start from $20 for a Flambe Glaze teacup.
