The mood at this fall’s New York Tabletop Market Week, held October 22–26 at 41 Madison/The Merchandise Mart and 7 West New York, was more or less upbeat, especially considering the current economic climate. Buyers who were attending the show were placing orders. “We’ve had triple the amount of appointments from last year. And that’s a good thing because it means that people are still out there and they’re still looking,” said Carole Topchik, tag showroom manager. Nevertheless, not everyone was as enthusiastic; there were several exhibitors who did say business was not as usual.

Still there was reason to celebrate this market: Wedgwood honored its 250th anniversary, Herend noted 150 years of its iconic fishnet pattern, Denby marked 200 years and 41 Madison bid adieu to long-time director Carole Dixon and welcomed her successor Laurie Burns.

As part of its anniversary celebration, Wedgwood hosted a party on Thursday evening with designer Jasper Conran, who entered into the bridal market with three dinnerware and three glassware patterns. The designer’s past patterns were much more casual. Lord Wedgwood was also in attendance, as were Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ REA finalists Larry and Marsha Dautch and Diane Wexler, of Jenss Decor

Attila Keczer at Herend

At Herend, in honor of the 150th anniversary of  its fishnet pattern, artist Attila Keczer was in the showroom demonstrating the technique of hand-painting the delicate design.

41 Madison hosted a party for Carole Dixon, director of 41, who is retiring after nearly 30 years. The soiree was well attended by many industry insiders who assembled to bid farewell to Dixon and to welcome Laurie Burns, her successor. Eric Rudin, executive vice president of Rudin Management, which owns the building, spoke highly of Dixon in a brief speech and introduced the crowd to Burns. Dixon, obviously moved, said “I will not say good-bye, but thanks for the memories.”

Carol Dixon's farewell party at 41 Madison shown here with Laurie Burns, her successor

Over at 7W New York, Sieger officially opened its first U.S. showroom with a party on Thursday night.

What’s New
While many vendors presented only a modest number of introductions, focusing on existing lines and offering extensions in those collections, there was still plenty to note.

Villeroy & Boch's Arden Lane

Arden Lane is a new bone china dinnerware pattern from Villeroy & Boch. The new pattern is featured on Anmut, an archival shape. Featuring a butterfly, the company uses warm, soft taupes in this line and the pattern gives the illusion of gold accents. Classic is the new crystal pattern and comes in tinted brown, amber or clear. This market New Wave pays homage to Indonesia. There are three patterns: Bamboo, Batik and Merah each feature spicy reds, golds and greens.

In celebration of its 250th anniversary, Wedgwood introduced Renaissance Gold in its Expressive Dinnerware Collection. It is inspired by decorative motifs favored by Neoclassical architect and designer Robert Adam. Anthemion Blue from the Prestige Dinnerware Collection is inspired by neo-classical elements, including the colonnade, laurel, Greek anthemion and classical figures. Each pattern is accented with cobalt blue and gold.

Wedgwood celebrates 250 years.

The company also introduced an Anniversary tea set and commemorative mugs. Known for his casual dinnerware collections, Jasper Conran introduced three bone china dinnerware patterns: Tulle, Whitework and Embroidered. Tulle features a platinum banding, Whitework is a white-on-white pattern and Embroidered features a platinum floral design with platinum banding. For this market, Vera Wang introduced two new patterns: Fleurs and Lotus. Fleurs is a simple, yet elegant design featuring a platinum floral motif and Lotus incorporates the flowers’ scalloped leaf pattern in bands of platinum.

Ballet Icing is the new pattern at Waterford. The fine bone china pattern uses neutral tones of white-on-white in Ballet Icing Pearl and white-on-mocha with Ballet Icing Mocha. The company also introduced a coordinating crystal stemware, also called Ballet Icing. Waterford went back to its archives to introduce Alana, a diamond-cut crystal pattern first introduced in 1952. The pattern is updated in the Alana Essence stemware and giftware collection. The highlight of this line is that it is dishwasher safe. Regency Beach is a new dinnerware and stemware collection from Michael Aram. Featuring an icy blue rim with bamboo edges, the coordinating crystal also features bamboo elements.

J. Chew Porcelain

New to the Tabletop scene is J.Chew Porcelain. Designer Jaimie Chew said the collection is “a mélange of East and West. I take design elements from the East and combine them with Limoges, that’s the West.” Chew said she drew from Chinese textiles and ceramics to create her first five dinnerware patterns. The line is produced in Limoges and features hand-applied decals.

Royal Doulton introduced Shimmer and Silver Sonnet, two new dinnerware patterns. Modern Love is the new pattern from Monique Lhuillier.

In response to its success with its “Buy 6 Get 8” configuration of the O Glass, Riedel is offering the same deal with its Vinum XL and Overture Collection. The sets are a great gift for both the giver and the receiver.

The new Peeps collection from Lenox

Lenox expanded its Simply Fine collection with a new Tablescapes line. It includes vases, frames, candleholders and centerpieces, and is available in three Simply Fine patterns: Chirp, Flourish and Voila. Flutter is a new dinnerware pattern in black, white and gray, featuring a butterfly motif. Also new is Chocolate, which uses a free flowing design. New bridal giftware is inspired by the Disney princesses, Jasmine, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel. The company has also teamed up with Peeps, the Easter marshmallow candy, to create a line based on the iconic bunnies and chicks.

The new Flowr dinnerware from Dansk is inspired by floral shapes and features pearlescent tones. There are new introductions to the Urban Picnic collection, including a pizza/ chip and dip, salad bowl, ice bucket, beverage holders, napkin rings, tray, coasters and a set of three nesting bowls.

Nambé brings together metal and wood and metal and crystal in several of its introductions. Even though Nambé’s pieces are oven-safe, the company has introduced Sculptured Ovenware by Nambé, featuring casseroles and bakers with a non-stick coating on Nambe’s metal alloy.

Libellule ornaments from Lalique's Daydream collection

Lalique’s new Daydream collection takes on an ethereal look. The line uses a soft ocean blue hue in its latest collection, which includes new shapes this market. The line incorporates René Lalique’s favorite themes: woman and fauna and flora. The new Libellule ornament is based on one of 27 motor mascots Lalique designed for Delage, Hispano-Suiza, Voisin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Haviland, which opened its first U.S. showroom in 41 Madison, introduced Sensations, a new dinnerware collection using a rustic color palette of dark bronze with gold accents. Also new is Matignon, a traditional relief pattern in white and platinum, ivory and gold, white and gold and black and gold. The company also introduced gift sets by artist Véronique Lataste. Le

Le Noël de Mademoiselle par Véroniqe Lataste from Haviland

Paris de Madame par Véronique Lataste features illustrations of an elegant lady out on the town in Paris on four assorted plates. Also new is Le Noël de Mademoiselle par Véroniqe Lataste which features playful illustrations of a young woman in holiday scenes, including shopping, skiing and ice skating.

Fitz and Floyd introduced several Christmas collections including Winter Garden in a green and white color story. The company also introduced several dinnerware collections, including Seaside, Mod Floral and Stripe. The company’s new Beau Verre line of decorative glass includes a collection of pieces in several themes, shapes and sizes.

Beau Verre from Fitz and Floyd

Spode has expanded its popular Baking Days oven-to-table and dinnerware collection by adding a white body so customers can mix and match with the existing line. New from Royal Worcester is a collection of mugs from Jamie

Jamie Oliver's Cheeky Mugs from Royal Worcester

Oliver. There are two collections to choose from: Cheeky Mugs, which feature sayings like “Party Animal” and “Big Spender,” and the Bottoms Up line, which includes sayings like “Over Worked Under Paid.”

Christofle introduced two new dinnerware patterns, something we haven’t seen from the company for some time.

Towle introduced a new Sentiments line of frames and boxes. The nickel plated pieces feature a laser etched sentiment for just about any occasion. 

New shape and chocolate color from Fiesta

Fiesta has expanded its color palette to include a new chocolate color, as well as a new square shape.

Mikasa introduced several new patterns including Indigo Bloom, a transitional dinnerware collection featuring a blue floral motif, and Love Story, a formal pattern which features a heart motif in platinum.

While up at 7 West ...

Mediterranean Holiday from Rosanna

Rosanna had several introductions this Tabletop market. Paris continues to be a favorite theme for the company. Les Jardins a Paris is a floral pattern and has an April in Paris feel. Mediterranean Holiday is another new collection and includes four dessert plates featuring maps of Majorca, Amalfi, Cannes and Santorini. Also taking on a holiday theme, Rosanna introduced a line of mugs called Wish You Were Here. The mugs feature vintage pictures and come in a gift box. Also new is La Mer, a sophisticated dessert set featuring shells and other sea life. The collection includes four assorted dessert plates, four assorted mugs and an oval platter.

New to the Tabletop show is Manhu Designs, a line of custom Italian dinnerware. The plates are all embossed with the customer’s monogram

Manhu Designs

and come in three patterns: Basket Felice, Simply and Provvista Generazione in Lavender and Creme.

Tag had several introductions this market. Flora takes on a bohemian look and uses shades of blue, purple and green. The collection includes everything from textiles to dinnerware to decorative accents. Fresh Herb is a green and white story with a garden look. The line incorporates bamboo and uses more terra cotta in its tabletop items. The Seaside Collection is more serene, using softer hues of blues, seafoam and sand. The company added a lot of textiles to this collection, including placemats, napkins, runners, guest towels and a tote bag. The spring line wouldn’t be complete without an Easter collection. Tag brings together bunnies and chicks for a sweet Easter line this market.

Flora collection from tag

New to The Mary Harper Group showroom is French Look International, which represents 11 companies under the one name. Among them is Coté Bastide, a dinnerware line, and Tadé, which includes glassware and lighting. 

Isadora & Mizrahi also added a couple of new lines to its showroom: Ocean Lavender, a collection of sachets, and Lyla, a new line of sculptures, vases and other decorative accessories in porcelain and spun glass.

Timber Mountain is the new Woolrich dinnerware pattern from The Zrike Company. Also new in the Zrike brand is a Rooster dinnerware collection and Felicita, a dinnerware line

Woolrich's Timber Mountain from The Zrike Company.

featuring a fruit border. The company is adding Coca-Cola to its family of licensed product. The line is expected to launch in Atlanta this January.

Vietri introduced one dinnerware pattern this market called Bellezza, meaning beauty in Italian. The collection comes in three colors: white, sky blue and butter cream.

Zak! Designs introduced the Amore collection of heart-shaped pieces, which includes bowls, ice cream bowls with matching spoons and more. The company also expanded its Confetti collection with a new color, white, as well as some new pieces, including a napkin holder, salt and pepper shakers and a four-piece bowl set.

IMISO Ceramics

Kahla Designs is new to Gallery on Six. The line includes accessories made from crocodile, as well as wooden accents. Olivia Riegel, known for its collection of enamel and crystal frames, added new media to the line, ceramics and aluminum. Design South Africa Home is also new to the showroom. Three handcrafted product lines are in the showroom: Carole Nevin hand-painted table linens, Diana Carmichael flatware and serving pieces and IMISO Ceramics.