Best Glassware: Bird Glassware by Laguna~B x Dusen Dusen
Murano glass has an illustrious history spanning centuries of Italian craftsmanship, but the esteemed medium is receiving a remarkably fresh perspective through a collaboration between Brooklyn-based designer Dusen Dusen and Milanese glassmaker Laguna~B. This animalian makeover reimagines traditional glassware by playfully altering classic silhouettes. The design transforms a water pitcher’s handle into a distinct fish fin, styles the spout to mimic a bird’s beak or a zebra’s muzzle, and crafts the coordinating drinking cups to resemble their respective animal offspring. Retailing at $1,650, this vibrant collection introduces a sense of whimsy and high-end artisanal execution to the modern tablescape, proving that centuries-old glassblowing traditions can successfully embrace contemporary, playful aesthetics without losing their sophisticated edge.
Best Tablecloths: Tree of Life Tablecloth by Block Shop x Shakers Collection
For the founders of textile brand Block Shop, exploring historic Shaker villages served as a formative experience during their childhoods. That early inspiration culminated in a meaningful collaboration with the historic Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts, resulting in a curated line of tablecloths, napkins, and wall art. Together, the partners breathed new life into the visionary drawings of artist Hannah Cohoon, who was active during the peak of the Shakers’ cultural influence. By applying the traditional Indian block-printing techniques that Block Shop is renowned for, the collection translates historic American spiritual art into vibrant, tactile home textiles starting at $190. This cross-cultural and historical synthesis highlights a growing appetite in modern interior design for pieces that carry deep narrative roots and authentic heritage craftsmanship.
Best Tableware: Arita Collection by Roman and Williams Guild
When the influential studio Roman and Williams introduces a new design concept, the broader design community takes notice. This was particularly true when the studio unveiled its custom table settings created specifically for Marcel, their restaurant partnership with Sotheby’s located inside the iconic Breuer building on New York City’s Upper East Side. The custom porcelain plates, bowls, and coffee cups immediately captured public attention by meeting the high-design moment with historical reverence. Crafted by skilled artisans in Japan, the collection features hand-painted, 17th-century-inspired pieces decorated with intricate archival patterns. Items such as the Arita Nishiki Kinrande Dinner Plate, priced at $270, and the Arita Coffee Cup, available for $210, demonstrate a seamless dialogue between historic Asian ceramic traditions and contemporary fine dining culture in Manhattan.
Best Countertop Accessory: Pot Carrier by Staub x Clare V.
The culinary community is well-acquainted with the practical challenge of transporting heavy, piping-hot cookware to gatherings without risking burns or damaging standard carriers. Addressing this universal dilemma, Staub, the 52-year-old French cookware institution, joined forces with Los Angeles-based designer Clare Vivier to create an exceptionally chic carrying case for signature cast iron pots. Priced at $195, the resulting pot carrier functions as equal parts utilitarian gear and fashion statement. Described as a sporty tote, the accessory offers an adorable and secure way to transport heavy Dutch ovens to dinner parties, neighborhood picnics, and potlucks, effectively eliminating the need for makeshift, hazardous transit methods.
Best Countertop Accessory: Bal Paper Towel Carrier by Upton
Items that serve strictly utilitarian purposes are frequently overlooked in kitchen interior design, with the paper towel holder typically ranking as an afterthought. California-based brand Upton, however, decided to give the humble dispenser its full creative attention. Reimagining the standard countertop accessory in powder-coated burgundy and chartreuse steel, the Bal Paper Towel Carrier elevates a mundane necessity into a deliberate design statement. Retailing at $42, the piece invites homeowners to let functional kitchen accessories occupy a more prominent role in their spatial layout, proving that even the most basic domestic items can benefit from thoughtful industrial design and rich color palettes.
