Ah, it’s that time of year when the design gods start showering us with new collections. And I’m certainly not complaining – I’m super excited about these new pieces from Heath Ceramics. The Summer 2010 collection represents an ongoing series of glaze experiments, where two glazes overlap to create a third color. I don’t know about you, but I like this new direction!

To me, these colors just ooze ’summer’. I can almost feel the warm sun and taste the homemade lemonade just by looking at them! Each piece is hand dipped and the result resembles “the horizon line of a summer meadow – the inspiration for the Summer collection.” Sounds absolutely dreamy.

This new collection is comprised of a pitcher; 12×12 platter; large modern cup; tumbler; bud vases; 6×12 platter; deep serving bowl; vegetable bowl; and a vase collection: bulb vase, single stem vase, and multi-stem vase. These items may be purchased individually or as sets of various configurations.

If you’re eager to get your hands on these little bursts of sunshine, be patient. The Summer ‘10 collection debuts April 1st. Until then, feel free to “Oo” and “Ah” over Heath Ceramics’ other collections!

www.heathceramics.com

I stumbled across Terofoma yesterday and was impressed by the collection of dinnerware and flatware that they have. My favorite is the Oyyo White collection shown above ($17 – $130) but I am also a sucker for their new felt flatpack breadbasket shown below. Why is it that I get so excited about anything made of felt? Pricing on the breadbasket is still pending, but it should be available this spring in soft white, spring green, deep brown, and quite grey.

Available from Teroforma.

Poketo received a lot of blog press last year for their wall decals, but it’s their melamine plates that are really getting me. It’s nice to find someone treating something as mundane as a melamine plate as art. If you look at it that way, it’s affordable art, too!  The Middletons complete set (pictured) will only set you back $40. For those who prefer to be a little less adventurous with their homeware, check out their awesome mugs. (My fave is the Octopus Raygun Mug.) I think Poketo gets it spot on when they say “art for your everday”.

Poketo Mugs and Plates: $12 – $40

Yasha Butler creates some of the most beautifully simple ceramics I’ve ever seen! I really love her Off Circle collection, with its subtle color glazes and organic shapes. Each of her ceramic pieces has an incredible tactile quality – I just want to reach through my monitor and touch them! Be sure to check out her gorgeous porcelain jewelry as well.

About:
Taking cues from nature, such as the smoothly textured surface of a sand dollar, the malleable shape of a jellyfish, and the clean curves of a sand dune, I create forms that calm and encourage the act of touch. I employ the pure feel of bare porcelain with the hues of bone, water, stone and small splashes of intense color. Utilizing the stark contrast of light and shadow, I emphasize the contours of my pieces and delineate their boundaries. Although my inspiration draws on organic matter, I aim to create forms far from those found in nature.

www.yashabutler.com

Yasha Butler ceramic vessels and jewelry: $28 – $46

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Not Neutral has been kicking out great affordable design for some time now and their newest kids melamine snack set doesn’t disappoint. Designed to be easy enough for your kid who is just learning to eat, and hip enough for your preschooler, this set does it all. It comes gift-boxed in eco-friendly packaging and includes two trays/dishes, cup, bowl, and an easy-to-hold fork and spoon.

Available from 2Modern for $25.

I love this series of ceramic drinkware from Up In The Air Somewhere. The Dip Cups are quite lovely and unique – each earthenware vessel is hand-dipped in yellow rubber after being glazed in either a light grey or white glaze. Each piece from Up In The Air Somewhere is hand built and totally unique – a perfect gift this holiday season!

About:
Up in the Air Somewhere is Chicago-based artist and designer Susan Dwyer. Three years after graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she focused in sculpture, Dwyer began creating a line of ceramic and papier-mâché vessels inspired by the clean, minimal lines found in industrial architecture. Because they are individually hand-built without the use of molds, every vessel has its own organic, one-of-a-kind character.

Drinkware available from Up In The Air Somewhere: $28 – $38

I love these bright and cheery dog bowls from Richie Tanaka. Made from glossy melamine and available in 7 colors, the Twins bowl is stylish and modern. Consider it color therapy for your dog!

Available as a set from GNR8: $39

Hannah’s handmade ceramics have a delightful retro quality that I absolutely love. Her birds are comical and cheeky – and very reminiscent of 50s cartoons. Be sure to check out her tableware collection and her line of ceramic cats!

Birdies by Hannah Turner: $46 – $125

If you’re looking for a simple yet elegant dinnerware set, consider the Classic Century pieces from Crate & Barrel. I am especially enamored with the salt and pepper shakers – they remind me of quail, albeit a little abstracted. The sauce boat would definitely make a statement at Thanksgiving, as well! See the whole collection here.

About:
Originally designed in 1952 by world-renowned designer Eva Zeisel, this timeless tabletop art makes a comeback in a creamy neutral. Zeisel, considered one of the foremost designers of the 20th century, created sculptural pieces with rounded curves, arches, teardrops and wave motifs. Even the plates are a soft oval, just this side of round. Out of production for many years, during which time it became a collector’s item, this pattern has been resurrected just for Crate & Barrel.

Classic Century Dinnerware from Crate & Barrel: Sets from $62 – $267 | Individual and Serving pieces from $10 – $72

I wish this existed when I got married. CB2 is offering a 42-piece dinner set for four for a mere $99. That’s right people. Four square dinner plates, dessert plates, and soups bowls. Four marta coolers and double old-fashioned glasses. Six sets of knives, forks, and spoons. And four basket weave placemats in your choice of green, blue, black, or white. FOR $99!! That is absolutely nuts! Even though I already have a flatware set.. and drinking glasses.. and placemats.. I really want to get this! You can never have enough glasses, right? That’s what I thought.

42-piece Dinner Set for Four from CB2: $99