Direct from Market: Frankfurt
Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts and Dec, 2/16/2012 10:24:51 AM
The winter market season ended on a high note with the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt, Germany. In fact, Ambiente 2012 was fully booked. Another busy market 
has people wondering if things will finally turn around.
This market there were some surprises from established manufacturers. We've already seen Royal Doulton freshen up its ever-popular Old Country Roses, but this market we were treated to more contemporary designs. The company's Pop In For Drinks collection celebrates English wit and includes everything from tidbit plates, cocktail forks, spoons and spreaders, cocktail utensils, cocktail shaker, glassware and more. The collection features four iconic British symbols including, a cab, bowler hat, umbrella and a terrier. The line is young, fresh and modern.
Royal Doulton
Also new from Royal Doulton is Fable, a new dinnerware collection in a more folksy, but still modern pattern. Paolozzi is another new pattern that features a geometric design and is nothing like you've seen from the company before.
From WWRD's Wedgwood line, the Equestria collection emphasizes the Englishness of the company in a more traditional way. Known for its dinnerware, Wedgwood is exploring an interiors concept with leather stationery goods. The line is being complemented with dinnerware as well.
Royal Crown Derby
Royal Crown Derby has been introducing more contemporary styles to its collection for a few markets now. This time, the company highlighted its Birdhouse collection. The line includes birds in various sizes in modern shapes featuring the patterns Platinum Leaves and Aves, as well as a new Britannia which features the Union Jack. Its Royal Butterfly collection may be on a familiar shape, but the pattern is a bit more modern in that it is a lighter and less ornate pattern.
Portmeirion also surprised buyers with Vintage Kellogg's by Portmeirion and Pimpernel. The collection is just what you'd imagine, images of famous Kellogg's cereal brands including Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies. The company also has a new license with Sanderson and includes two collections - Porcelain Garden and Fifi. Each is a very feminine, one featuring modern illustrations of women and the other a floral motif.
Over at Rosenthal a new white pattern, called Nendoo, was introduced. It features a matte and shiny finish. At the company's Thomas brand a new collection of serveware was debuted. It is made of bamboo, cork and resin, and comes in a variety of bright colors. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the company's partnership with Versace. Rosenthal introduced one service plate and one bread and butter plate from each of t
Portmeirion
he patterns Versace designed over the years. The fashion house's new patterns pay tribute to the year of the dragon with two dinnerware collections: Legend of the Dragon and Asian Dreams.
Peonia is the new dinnerware pattern introduced at Villeroy & Boch. The yellow collection is featured on a square shape. A special edition of New Wave coffee mugs was introduced, including Rome, Berlin, Paris and London. A new stainless steel and porcelain serveware and decorative accessories collection also debuted at the fair. The modern pieces include vases, bowls, photo frames, candlesticks and more.
Revol introduced a new type of ceramic for its cookware that can go in oven, microwave and stove top.
Bodum has added several new appliances to its extensive collection of gourmet 
Villeroy & Boch
housewares. The introductions include a coffee maker which features and clear back so you can see how it works. The appliance uses borosilicate glass (the same kind used for test tubes) so it keeps the water at the optimum temperature and doesn't leave as much calcium deposits. Also new is a mixer and a mini barbecue grill.
Indoor Garden is a new company that made its debut at the Ambiente fair. The company offers an herb garden that is based on hydroponics. The device also features an attached light source, so the herbs not only get the right amount of water, but they also get constant light allowing them to grow more quickly. Right now, there is only one style available, but the company plans on expanding.
Bodum
Another new company at the show was Tulipop from Iceland. The company offers fun gift and decor items, as well as melamine plates aimed at children. The characters featured in the designs are from the creative mind of Signy Kolbeinsdottir.
Also new to the fair is Aveva a new company based in Sweden. The line includes business cards holders, wallets, fashion accessories, and kitchen items, including 100 percent wool trivets that are both retro and modern at the same time. In fact, all of the designs are clean, modern and colorful.
Danish company Hoptimist brought back a vintage character from the 1970s. The "bobble heads" were first brought to life by Danish furniture designer Hans Gustav Ehrenreich in 1968. Today, the company offers a variety of happy little creatures in different colors and sizes.
Ceramic artist Anne Black from Denmark made her debut at the Ambiente fair and offers a wide variety of products in porcelain - from jewelry to tabletop.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for reports starting in April with the New York Tabletop Market.
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