Crockery sets, like these from ASA, that look as if they have been made by hand is more popular than ever. — ASA/dpa
The plates are not quite round, the decorative lines are crooked and, overall, the pieces look unfinished.
Cups and bowls with one or two flaws are trending in the tableware industry, you may have noticed.
Why? Visible mistakes and a more casual aesthetic at dinner invite us to relax, industry experts believe.
Tableware like this makes the “atmosphere at a table cosy”, says Julia Dettmer, an author on table presentation.
Where diners might once have seen floral designs or golden rims, you’re now increasingly likely to see an imperfect circle, a rough texture and unique bumps that speak against mass production.
Flaws, it seems, are the new decorations.
“Drinking your coffee from a cup that is not quite smooth to the touch feels slightly more relaxed than from a plain, thin-walled porcelain cup.”
Villeroy & Boch's Chateau Septfontaines white tableware collection features lush golden rims and accents. — NIKOLAS HAGELE/Villeroy und Boch/dpa
Rough vs perfect
But the crockery scene appears to be increasingly polarised in its design.
On the one hand, there are rugged and flawed-looking sets. On the other, there are immaculate whites where designers are underlining perfection and timelessness.
In other words, white crockery is making a comeback after a long absence. Although it never entirely left our sight, it is now being depicted as a timeless classic.
Trend-setting manufacturers are now advertising white sets of crockery among their latest products, sets that can be brought out of the cupboard for special occasions – or bought for everyday use.
This comes as no surprise for experts like Christina Barton-van Dorp, who represents over 4,000 shops specialising in table, kitchen and home accessories in Germany.
“It’s the antithesis of the other major trend right now: rough-looking, handmade ceramics,” she says.
A white crockery range from Dibbern.
White porcelain is exactly right for upscale dining.
“The emphasis here is on subdued decorations that go slightly against the zeitgeist.”
Many amateur chefs want to offer their dinner guests an experience similar to fine dining in exclusive restaurants, but at home. Matching, discreetly designed tableware therefore brings the dishes and their exceptional presentation more to the fore.
“We are talking about the latest white and more expensive porcelain sets,” says Barton-van Dorp.
Good Sunday tableware
The trend towards flawed tableware has proven a challenge for retailers, as they have to first convince customers that the flaw was both real and intentional, says Barton-van Dorp.
However, not everyone is convinced.
“Some customers like it, others prefer pure white porcelain,” she says.
But good old white crockery is still going strong – whether you already have it in your cupboard or want to buy a set. There’s plenty to choose from as there are novelties aplenty on the market.
Crockery manufacturers like Kuetahya Porselen think a mix of black and white plates is where tableware is headed. — Photos: FRANZISKA GABBERT/dpa
Tableware expert Dettmer even recommends investing in classic “Fine Bone China” – a particularly fine, high-quality white porcelain made of bone ash, among other materials.
“It appears delicate, but is very robust. So, it lasts for decades,” says Dettmer. “If you choose a pure, white set, you definitely have a classic for every occasion in your cupboard that never goes out of fashion.”
Dark tableware
Those looking for a stand-out set between immaculate white and flawed individuality may be interested in the dark tableware trend.
Plates, cups and bowls in dark colours are trending at the moment.
One crockery trend, albeit still a niche one, is everything in black, as seen in this set from Kuetahya Porselen.
“Ten years ago, that was unthinkable,” says Barton-van Dorp.
“But more and more tableware designs – especially porcelain in dark green, blue and purple – have come on the market in recent years. Black tableware, on the other hand, remains a niche.”
Similar to the trend towards white crockery, dark tableware also reflects the latest cooking and eating habits. Many dishes like white rice, red tomatoes or greens look better on a black background. – By SIMONE ANDREA MAYER/dpa
