IN THE GARDEN WITH OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Spring is here, so what better time to celebrate all things garden than with a collaboration with a most famous one? Oscar de la Renta has just unveiled a new entertaining collection, created with The New York Botanical Garden,  that takes its inspiration from all things jardin, including trellis details, leaves, blooms and more.  By researching the archives of the Garden, ideas for the 15 piece collection arose from 18th and 19th Century studies and is perfect for those that appreciate the beauty that comes from growing and living with the bounty a spring garden has to offer. Available through Oscar de la Renta boutiques and Oscardelarenta.com.

Photo courtesy of Oscar de la Renta Home

New York Botanical Garden Trellis Salad Plate of stoneware with blue on cream tracery details

 A mossy green swirled earthenware Marbleized Charger, while full of pattern, works when mixed with a variety of large or small scale motifs.

Taken from a rare botanic study in the NYBG archives, the Apple Leaf Salad Plate features an oversized green leaf against an octagonal cream stoneware plate.

CLASSICALLY- INSPIRED PORCELAIN GARDENING POTS FROM CULTIVATED GARDENS FOR MIDDLE KINGDOM

Photos courtesy Rosie Sauser of Cultivated Gardens for Middle Kingdom

Now that we are into March, I think it is safe to start thinking about gardening and flowers in general. On that note, I have been biding my time, waiting for the right moment to share one of my gift show discoveries. Taking their cue from classical Greek and Roman urns, Cultivated Gardens for Middle Kingdom's bisque-finish porcelain Oggee Vaso footed bowls possess extraordinary beauty. The appeal lies in their utter simplicity--  a pared-down form with the cleanest of lines, in a matte gesso finish. They may appear delicate, with their thin silhouette and whisper thin edge, but their durability comes from being fired in a kiln at high temperatures.  You can find them at leading home and flower shops around the country, as well as from Washington, D.C.-based Cultivated Gardens directly.

In matte grey,  white hydrangea provide a robust filler for the bowls. I would love to see a loose arrangement done with drapey material too.

Available in two sizes in pale hues of retro green, grey, and biscuit,  the footed bowls are perfect for fruit, centerpiece arrangements, or as a vessel to throw mail in by the front door.

WHIMSY AND WONDER: LINEA CARTA'S A-Z ALPHABET CANAPE PLATES FOR ANTHROPOLOGIE EXUDE NOSTALGIC APPEAL

Berkeley, CA-based Linea Carte makes charming notecards with loopy calligraphy and images of sweet things like zebras and ocean dwellers painted in watercolor. Dina Piyari, the designer behind the line, recently created an exclusive collection of small canape plates for Anthropologie, complete with the letters of the alphabet paired with everything from animals to sea creatures and varied joyous motifs. The stoneware plates, made from a vintage mold, have a wonderful retro feel, providing their nostalgic appeal. Hang them on the wall of a nursery or use them for tea time, either way, they add a touch of whimsy and wonder.

Photos courtesy of Anthropologie
The plates from A-Z

Each one is cuter than the next, but grouped by animal or theme, they could also be hung as a monogram

The story book quality of the design makes them look like the pages of a book that came to life

The anchor is wonderful-

STYLEBEST: CHINA WITH HEART: ART FOR YOUR TABLE FROM GRAFFITI ARTIST MR. BRAINWASH

Photo courtesy of Barneys New York

Have you seen the amazing documentary film, Exit Through The Gift Shop? Its a fabulous look at the secret world of street art, created under the cover of darkness by a set of scrappy indie and daring set of renegades. The film, released in 2010,  really focuses on master graffiti artist the elusive star Banksy, but explores the artistic blossoming of another type of celebrity, the marketing machine, Thierry Guetta, or, Mr. Brainwash. Pushing the boundaries of what is art and why, the film tracks the LA-based Frenchman, showing his evolution from watcher to doer, as he becomes part of the scene he is covering as an obsessive amateur filmmaker. Mr. Brainwash is a creation spurred on by Banksy, and his Warholian tendencies have led him to create pieces in other mediums, such as a collection of bone china for the forward thinking English heritage brand, 1882 Ltd. I love the splatter heart design of Fragile Hearts, centered on an all white plate for maximum impact. You can find this, and additional pieces at Barneys. They are fun to serve dessert on, or chocolates, with their dark contrast.

STYLEBEST- A LITTLE LOCAL COLOR: INDEGO AFRICAN BASKETS

I love a good pop of bright color, pretty much anywhere.  A shot of color adds a bright ray of sunshine to a room needing a lift. All of January has been a deep freeze, so it makes me like it even more. Decorative accessories like bowls and trays are an easy way to inject a room with a shot of uplifting color.  Woven by skilled women in Rwanda, Africa, Indego artisan baskets have a wonderful graphic geometric pattern, painstakingly woven out of fine threads of dyed plant material. The effect is smile-inducing, making an age-old traditional craft modern and fair trade in today's color palette.

Photos courtesy of Indego 

Burst Plateau Basket in red white and blue.

Color The World Platter with handles makes it great for cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres.

Orange Burst Plateau Basket paired with a zesty teal 

Olive Burst, in a chic olive drab and cream combo

STYLISH SPONSOR WELCOME: GRACIOUS STYLE

I have long admired the incredible depth of assortment California-based Carolina Con has on her luxurious, tabletop-laden home decor website, Gracious Style. When she said she wanted to become a Stylebeat sponsor, I knew it would be a great fit-- she has a steady eye and the ability to find items that are useful as well as beautiful. To introduce you to her great sense of style, here is a round-up of items for the table that will see you through the holidays, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and all the parties in between. I chose an autumnal palette of greens and browns, with mixed metal accessories for good measure. May your table sparkle as brightly as the family and friends around it.

Photos courtesy of Gracious Style

Bring old-world influence to the table with Juliska's Firenze stoneware patterned china, where a marbleized pattern like those found on Florentine end-papers is designed large-scale in shades of pistachio green and brown.

Tiny canape plates serve multiple functions, from plating appetizers to small amuse bouche.  Juliska's  Firenze pattern can do the job, and also be used on the dinner table, as a saucer for a ramekin of cranberry sauce at each guest's placesetting.

The matte gold finish of Herdmar's Rocco flatware adds a subtle glamour to the table, dressing it up. The finish does not tarnish, so it can easily be used everyday.

Sferra's Filetto napkins in linen with contrasting borders and hemstitch detail in rich wintry hues.

This bird can keep you big bird company-- birds of a feather. Intricately detailed gold placecard holders from L'Objet have crystal eyes and comes in a set of 6.

Salt and pepper shakers are a must, so why not get some that are a conversation starter? Little pewter and wood acorn S and P shakers from Vagabond house are just too cute. For those of you that would rather not gather around a table with your wacky relatives (I am looking forward to it, I'm happy to report), here's a topic: how many variety's of Oak trees are there?

Thinking about Thanksgiving may have you pining for some Americana, so Vietri's splatter ware platter fits in perfectly.

Don't be afraid to mix metals on the table, it is almost impossible to have everything match, and the mix is much more interesting. A classic pitcher can earn its keep year round, and I especially like this lidded version from Vagabond House. Pewter accents make it more interesting than just glass or crystal, and the decorative handle makes something functional pretty.

I have never met a hurricane I didn't like. They keep the table from wax drips, cast a beautiful reflection, and the candlelight makes everyone look their best. In keeping with the classic silhouette Match's Convertible Hurricane with pewter base and ball feet can hold tapers or a wide candle.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: ALICE PETO'S CHARMINGLY BRITISH AVIARY TABLETOP DESIGNS

Photos courtesy of Alice Peto

Peto's beautiful spare logo of a detailed monochromatic aqua pineapple is set against a pale grey box. So chic

There are certain designs British designers just get right. Capturing a particular refinement and sensibility, there is an artisan movement there that designs things that just feel so English. Artist Alice Peto is a creative talent with a love of  feathered friends. Coming across her darling china designs, festooned with stark, brightly-colored sihouettes of feathered creatures ranging from penguins to flamingos, I knew I had discovered something.  In the great tradition of English-made bone china, her oven to table designs, with mugs to plates and serveware, evolved out of her love of art, specifically illustrations. Studying in Florence, as well as teaching children art, she established her whimsical, sweet sensibility. I love the playfulness of her work, and the way it updates living creatures by elevating them in a sophisticated way. You can find her designs through her website, and she ships to the US.

Little birds all in a row- the Parakeet in kelly green, Guinea Fowl in grey, and pink Flamingo

 The Guinea Fowl side plate with a border of blue eggs joins the rest of the Guinea pattern.

Flamingos! They are definitely having a design moment across the pond, and are migrating here slowly.

The way Peto has styled her collection in a homey setting adds to the appeal of her work, creating a  comfort zone.

A CROCKERY PURE AND SIMPLE: ARTIST MAX LAMB'S FINE BONE CHINA

I love what modern British artist Max Lamb has created for 1882 Ltd, Johnson Brother's Stoke on Trent-based bone china manufacturer. The name comes from the year the company was founded, and it celebrates the Johnson Brother's ceramics heritage. Pushing forward with innovation and a new modern sensibility, this distinctly British brand, part of Wedgwood, captured an entirely new audience with the addition of Lamb's pure white Crockery designs. Both naive and modern, the bowls, jug and mug have a stone age quality to them.  Not only do they bring about a smile, they are substantial, simple and not too precious looking, which is kind of cool for a material that is usually fairly dainty. They would look fantastic in a modern kitchen with open shelving, or paired with an old, well worn farm table. Made from molds carved by Lamb, the Crockery goes through a traditional crafting process to achieve the desired results. The collection is being carried at one of my favorite modern incubators, Garde in LA. 

 Photos courtesy of 1882 Ltd and Garde

The Crockery mold

Matte and smooth make a nice juxtaposition

 The Jug

 The Mug

 The Large Shallow Bowl

The Deep Bowl

ROUND AND ROUND: CONTEMPORARY POTTERY FROM SOUTH AFRICA'S POTTER'S WORKSHOP

Wonderful, textural dots don the surfaces of the artistic South African pottery made by Potter's Workshop. Utilizing the talents of skilled artisans, the Cape Town-based pottery studio was started in 1991, by Chris Silverston. What began as a craft done by women she expanded, as she began teaching Xsoha men the art of glazing pottery in a fresh new way.  It is a touching story, how she taught a group of people to embrace art that may never have been exposed to it before. They are now true artisans. Brightly saturated glazes and precise, detailed patterns decorate serving pieces in light-hearted, joyous way. The studio now employs 23 people that create the beautiful,  elaborately detailed glazed bowls and dishes for which they have gained a devoted following.  You can find Potter's Workshop designs at Aero Studio in New York City,  Design Solutions in New Canaan, CT, and more stores found on their website. A modern take on age - old medium has reinvigorated the art form, making it part of the contemporary South African design scene today.

The Large Bowl with concentric blue and orange rings and complex graphic patterns.

An Oval Fruit Bowl makes a great display and serving piece, it is so intricate and detailed.

The Tulip Dinner and Salad Plate in rich blue and red glazes

Intricately painted Nut Bowls with a linear dot pattern.

Poppy Pudding Bowls in psychedelic prints

Poppy Bowls with dots and intricate patterns

Ramekins painted to resemble individual blooms

A tiny flower vessel, the Inca Bowl

SUNNY DISPOSITION: SETTING THE TABLE WITH A TOUCH OF CORAL

A touch of bright color on a summer table can raise the style quotient as the temperature does the same. A robust orangey coral color has been on the radar for some time, and it is showing up in wonderfully patterned tabletop designs. I love the color so much that I decided to upholster my chairs in it. The color's sunny disposition will go to your head, and these plates will encourage festive all fresco dinners all year long.

Photos courtesy of Roberta Roller Rabbit

My favorite classic Roberta Roller Rabbit print has made its way onto china. Crafted from Limoges porcelain, the Amanda printed scalloped plate in an all-over orange and fuchsia floral print comes in a set of 4, in either dinner or dessert size.

Have some fun an mix in the solid orange plate with fuchsia border to add dimension to the printed plate. Available through Roberta Roller Rabbit.

Photos courtesy of Barneys 

The French know how to design beautiful china, natch, so Site Corot's geometric glazed porcelain plates from Barneys provide a playful spin on the medium.  The Florida patterned dessert or salad plate will make any sweet the star.

A zig zag hand-created border on the Florida Dinner Plate from Site Corot at Barneys  has a white center as to not compete with the main event.

A low soup or cereal bowl completes the  "touch of whimsy" look. From Barneys.

Photos courtesy of Terrain

Like a glowing sun, these South African- made, hand-crafted ceramic plates from Terrain are punchy and strong.

A circle pattern and linear rays echo the rays of the sun, the Petals Plate, also from the same collective at Terrain.