More on Craft

Steelite’s new Craft dinnerware is in a class of its own. Artisan glazes with commercial durability is an unbeatable combination for both restaurants and home. Here’s a video of Steelite’s design chief, Andrew Klemecki, discussing Craft.

AHHH!!!! Mixing Ivory and White!!!

It’s time for a serious discussion about dinnerware body colors, more specifically… mixing them on the tabletop. I’ve been trying to avoid this subject but I just can’t ignore it any longer!

The question is “When is it okay to not match?”

Now first of all, there are rules… though this just might be the first time they’ve ever been written down.  Previous communications have consisted of “that look.” Dinnerware that doesn’t match is akin to tilting all the pictures in your house very slightly to the left or right. You just know that something isn’t right but perhaps you can’t put your finger on it.  Okay, here it goes;

Rules — (and this goes for restaurants too…)

1. The basic 5 must match. That would be the dinner plate, bread n butter, soup, cup and saucer. PERIOD! Ivory doesn’t match white…. warm white doesn’t match bright white… EVER!
2. Accessories that stay on the table, like salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowls… must also match the basic 5.
3. Matching Exceptions – Dinnerware for appetizers, desserts, and specialty dishes. Appetizers and desserts should be be fun as well as tasty… so use your imagination. Infuse colors and decorations to highlight your presentation.  Specialty dishes might include an onion soup crock… I mean, how can you eat onion soup without one?

If you mix… make it obvious to everyone that your the plan is to mix.

Steelite produces two basic body colors, the Distinction body which is bright white and the Performance body which is warm white.  I’ve linked both. Everything under the Distinction category matches… it’s the same body. Same for Performance.

Steelite’s shape range within each line is enormous so you never have to worry about matching again…. at least now that you know the rules! Now look down…. do your shoes match?

Terramesa – Artisan Style With Commercial Durability

About 4 years ago, I visited quite a few Asian factories in search of artisan glazes that would withstand the rigours of commercial use. While I was doubtful that good product already existed, I just had to make sure since many factories were claiming that their crackle and reactive glazes were superior. After 2 weeks of “mind numbing” travel, I came back to the USA with a suitcase overflowing with representative samples. I then sent samples to Steelite’s UK lab for detailed testing and analysis. The lab results were predictable. None of the product was commercially durable and some wasn’t even safe for food service! This is the same product I see in un-enlightened restaurants… complete with chipped edges!

Terramesa

To fulfill a need in the marketplace without relying on inferior third party factories,  Steelite put its design and manufacturing teams to work  to develop the artisan “look” but with durability that rivaled Steelite’s other dinnerware. The result of this effort is Terramesa. The Terramesa dinnerware line encompasses reactive glazes for an artisan presentation while enjoying the commercial durability of Steelite’s Performance dinnerware body.

Terramesa comes in a choice of warm colors;  Mocha, Mustard, Olive, and Wheat… each trimmed in a reactive border. The dinnerware shapes are taken directly from Steelite’s highly successful Taste range… a winning combination of looks and durability for a fantastic casual home dinnerware presentation.

At Tabletopstyle,  you can purchase Terramesa by the piece and build a personal dinnerware set that compliments your lifestyle. Comfort foods will never taste better!