Tableware_MUK.qxp_Grid 02/04/2019 14:08 Page 28
Tableware focus
Inset: Royal Doulton’s Bowls of Plenty provides the perfect vessels for the artistic arrangement of healthy foods.
The
creative table With eating occasions that span from casual to dramatic dining, consumers increasingly want to show their personal style and originality when they set their tables. PH looks at some of the latest tabletop ‘stories’ and ways in which the tableware industry is encouraging its consumers to get creative.
Bowls for contented living Royal Doulton is embracing the ‘Hygge movement’ of making time to create peaceful moments and create a sense of contentment with its recent launch, Bowls of Plenty. Senior market manager, Antony Robson recognises that connection and comfort are at the “forefront of more casual lifestyles and food now needs to look photogenic for sharing on social media.” Antony highlights the need for tableware to complement today’s food trends. He states: “Bowl shapes are increasingly designed without a lip,” providing a frame for the food, while the rise of international cuisine and ‘nourish bowls’ are “helping to create a feast for the eyes as well as tastebuds”. Antony describes the new collection from Royal Doulton (with its “perfectly imperfect shapes”) as “visual, tactile and practical.” According to statistics from 2017, sales of bowls have increased by 5% compared to a 12% decline in the sales of plates. Food preferences – including diets, wellness and healthy portion-control - combined with the rise of casual dining habits have boosted sales of bowls. Antony emphasises that bowl food and
associated recipes are trending on social media: “Colourful photo-ready and Instagram meals are perfectly arranged in a bowl.” Furthermore, the stoneware used in the Bowls of Plenty range fits consumers’ desires for naturally crafted products. The collection includes a range of different sized bowls, nesting bowls, a low serving bowl, nesting jugs and accompanying plates. With bowls sold in sets of four, Antony notes that: “The range gives people confidence to mix and match.” Autumn will
Inset: Pieces of Apricot tableware in combination with Golden Orbit – from Porcel.
PROGRESSIVE
28
HOUSEWARES
see the addition of boxed sets and pasta and serving bowls. Royal Doulton’s recent launches also include Coffee Studio, which (states Antony) addresses “the trend for wanting to create the perfect coffee brews at home, and know where your coffee comes from.” The range includes a cup for every coffee drink along with small plates for the accompanying snack. Its single mugs are gift packaged in coffee bean styled brown bags.
Fine dining with a difference Hand-painted gold finishes are often associated with fine dining ranges – an area of expertise that is flourishing for porcelain specialist, Porcel. The Portuguese manufacturer recognises that consumers are keen to combine different collections. “We follow colour trends closely and consumers buy into inspirational colour accents to add to their existing tableware to create a new style for their table,” explains Filipa Ricardo, designer for Porcel. Filipa cites the “perfect combinations” of Porcel’s new Apricot range with its Golden Orbit gold range or platinum Pantheon range. The porcelain expert uses social media to show difference combinations that can be achieved from its ranges.