‘A metallic, reflective element always adds drama and glamour to the table scene,’ says Wallpaper* entertaining director Melina Keays. ‘Just one piece lifts everything.’ Take your pick from these shining tableware examples – from a silver-plated coffee pot to cute stainless-steel cups – as selected by interiors editor Olly Mason (arbiter of taste at the Wallpaper* gleam team).
‘SR’ cups and saucers, €108 each, by Sophia Roe and Louise Roe Andersen, for Louise Roe. ‘Victoria’ fabric in Blu Madonna, price on request, by Rubelli
Coffee is served with a bold dose of Bauhaus-inspired allure thanks to these stainless steel cups and saucers, adorned only by assertive geometric handles. Part of the new ‘SR’ collection by Copenhagen-based designer Louise Roe Andersen and her daughter Sophia Roe, they are available online from the family firm, louise-roe.com.
‘Interconnect’ candleholder, price on request, by Colin King, for Audo Copenhagen. ‘Taper’ candle, £12.50 per pair, from The Conran Shop. ‘Underwood’ fabric in Muschio, price on request, by Formafantasma, for Rubelli
Ably demonstrating that tablescaping is a question of balance is this ‘Interconnect’ candleholder by Colin King. The American interior stylist and product designer studied dance before changing paths, and it shows in this perfectly poised design, described simply as ‘a sphere, an angle and a line’. Available in two sizes and various finishes from audocph.com.
‘Artefacto’ cutlery, €481 for set of three, by Natalia Criado. ‘Albi’ bread plate, €245, by Christofle. ‘Marabou’ fabric in Canyon, price on request, by Dedar
Cutlery rarely prompts a double-take. These pieces, designed by Natalia Criado and handcrafted in Italy from plated brass, will give your guests a conversation starter; available from nataliacriado.com and artemest.com. Pair with a silver-plated plate from christofle.com and reflect on your impeccable table-setting skills.
‘Fem’ bowl, £70, by Normann Copenhagen. ‘Amoir Libre’ fabric in Saumon, price on request, by Dedar
Resembling a 3D geometry puzzle more than a bowl, this stainless steel centrepiece has plenty of edge(s) and an architectural appeal. It is formed from five triangular segments and is supported by a star-shaped, five-piece, hand-welded base. Available from normanncopenhagen.com and nordicnest.com.
‘Lava’ plate, €390, by Natalia Criado. ‘Albi’ caviar spoon, €420, by Christofle. ‘Argo 2’ fabric in 0982, price on request, by Raf Simons, for Kvadrat. Oscietra caviar, £450 for 250g, from Amélie
A pair of dinky lava-stone spheres on either side of this silver-plated brass plate, artisan-made in Italy, are an unexpectedly cute detail, and a welcome shot of earthy tactility – a bit of rough to go with your smooth. Available from nataliacriado.com and artemest.com.
‘Gigogne’ coffee pot, €4,000, by Christian Fjerdingstad, for Christofle. ‘Splendido’ fabric in Pumpkin, price on request, by Dedar
Not a retro-futuristic telecom tower, but a clear signal that coffee is ready to be served, the ‘Gigogne’ coffee pot unstacks into three deliciously modernist pieces: a sugar bowl, a milk jug, and the coffee pot itself. Designed in 1926 by Danish silversmith Christian Fjerdingstad for Christofle, the ‘Gigogne’ has been reissued and is available from christofle.com and netaporter.com.
‘Menhir’ espresso maker, €159, by Michael Anastassiades; ‘JM16’ dessert bowl, €152, by Jasper Morrison, both for Alessi
For espresso lovers, go Italian with Alessi, the country’s shining star of kitchenware. The new ‘Menhir’ espresso maker by Michael Anastassiades, its form echoing the eponymous upright standing stones, has an air of strength and simplicity – like good coffee. Available in three-cup and six-cup sizes, from selfridges.com and alessi.com. Don't forget Italian ice cream for dessert while coffee's brewing – double your shine factor with Jasper Morrison's ‘JM16’ bowl, also from alessi.com.
‘Orta’ tray, £40, by Bettina Ceramica. ‘Nouvelles Vagues’ fabric in Rubis, price on request, by Dedar
Forget mundane melamine. This stainless steel tray brings a subtly deco refinement to proceedings, whether you're serving up afternoon tea or postprandial liqueurs. Find it at bettinaceramica.com.
‘Fountain 01’ vase, €750; ‘Fountain 03’ vase, €940; ‘Fountain 02’ vase, €1,020, all by Louise Roe. ‘Victoria’ fabric in Ametista, price on request, by Rubelli. ‘B108’ fabric in 0006, price on request, by Sahco
Last but not least, silvery vases make a light-catching backdrop to a tumbling floral display, and will always offset whatever colours you've chosen. For these examples, hand-welded in polished stainless steel, we've looked again to Denmark's louise-roe.com.
May your next dinner glimmer.
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