Entertaining sources from the 2007 Best list: dishware
Astier de Villatte 11" ceramic "Victor," $60 John Derian Company
- Allegra Hicks
(212) 249-4241 - Like her versatile caftans, the London-based Italian designer?s dishes and trays sport cheerful patterns that suit dinner guests of all sorts.
- Kate Spade
- The queen of preppy-retro's bone-china "Larabee Road" plates are ringed in polka dots in platinum or a plucky grass-green; more conservative black and white palettes are also available.
- John Derian Company
- In addition to the New York artist's signature decoupage plates, his shop sells other heirlooms-to-be, such as romantic terra-cotta dishes by Parisian company Astier de Villatte.
- Michael C. Fina
- The veteran retailer presents an array of special-occasion and casual dishware lines but has recently moved toward higher-end brands like Hermès.
- Nautica
- Imagine onboard dining with simple shapes decorated with yachtsmen's colors, flag-flying stripes and the occasional tropical accent—a smart translation of the sportswear to the table.
- Nicole Farhi Home
- The collection echoes the fashion designer's penchant for natural materials, organic shapes and artisanal eccentricities.
- Pearl River
- The first Chinese-American department store is an emporium of bargains, with dishes—many ornamented with Asian motifs—starting at $2.50.
- Royal Copenhagen
- The Danish porcelain legend's "Blue Fluted" and "Blue Flower" services are over 200 years old. Lovers of new traditions should choose "Blue Fluted Mega," in which the historic pattern has been supersized and cropped.
- Rural Residence
(518) 822-1061 - This upstate New York shop seems transported from the Victorian era. Of special note is the store's pearl ware, faithfully reproduced from 19th-century examples.
- Wedgwood
- The name evokes images of regal dining in Mayfair, but the storied company also has understated dish collections by Vera Wang and Jasper Conran that feature delicate forms and attention-getting chinoiserie.
