It’s the season, for family and friends to break bread – and to break out those special items from the china cabinet. While dessert plates with snowflakes and reindeer have an undeniable charm, holiday meals in sunny Southern California don’t have to be a wintry wonderland. These delightful pieces will dress up your dining room tabletop in classic white, gold and an unexpected splash of Pacific Ocean blue.
What would a holiday table be without a splash of red? Made in northern California, Heath Ceramics, a purveyor of modern pottery since 1948, releases its Classic Red collection, available now through the day after Valentine’s Day is an ideal shade all year long. The espresso set is comprised of one cup and saucer, $40.
Heath Ceramics, 7525 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323.965.0800 :: heathceramics.com
One way to invigorate white dishes and clear glass is a colorful backdrop, such as the Hattarakukka floral print tablecloth, $198, which measures 5 by 8 feet. It’s a 2015 design from Marimekko, the Finnish design house which also produces the Oiva collection of plates, $26 to $78 and Socks Rolled Down tumblers, $45 for two, goblets, $49 each and pitcher, $79 shown here.
1316 1/2 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.451.5524 :: us.marimekko.com
The Jardins De Louise pattern by Robert Haviland & C. Parlon is made of porcelain with an intricate mandala-style floral pattern designed by Isabelle Barthel in turquoise and green with gold accents. This bread and butter plate is $75.
Michael C. Fina, 500 Park Ave., New York, 800.289.3462 :: michaelcfina.com
Iittala’s Kastehelmi glass tumbler by designer Oiva Toikka elevates both cocktail trays and dinner tables with a raised dot pattern that evokes Nordic holiday sweaters. A set of two is $25. :: didriks.com
Kim Seybert’s Spider Beaded Burst napkin rings explode with color. The long tendrils fan into a firework accent adding whimsy and texture to a formal dining table. Available in autumnal neutrals and metallics, or in vivid bright colors such as the turquoise version carried at Between the Sheets.
377 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.640.9999 :: betweenthesheetsinc.com
Inspired by 17th century Chinese porcelain made for a Portuguese nobleman, the Indigo Wave pattern by Mottahedeh, which produces china for the White House, is made of porcelain with deep cobalt blue in an intricate fish scale pattern and 22k gold trim. The five-piece set is $385 from Michael C. Fina. :: michaelcfina.com
Known for her elaborate jewelry-like tabletop accessories, designer Kim Seybert fashioned this napkin ring from delicate champagne-colored gems. Available at Bliss Fine Linens. $64 for a set of four.
3321 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.566.0304 :: blisshomeanddesign.com
With a bisque porcelain base and a hand-painted metallic gold glazed top surface, the handmade Dauville Cake Stand, $98, adds a glimmer of sophistication to dessert.
503 31st St., Newport Beach, 949.877.0147 :: 503found.com
Silverware needn’t be in cool toned metals. The hottest tabletop trend is cutlery in matte black and warm metallic finishes such as copper and gold. The Almoco Flatware collection, designed in 2001 by a Portuguese manufacturer, is $53 for a five-piece place setting at Design Within Reach. 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa 714.427.0628 :: dwr.com
Delicately handcrafted in the tradition of Limoges porcelain, the Toundra Winter pattern by Jean-Louis Coquet is decorated with dramatic gold accents that resemble sunbursts and seaweed. The five-piece place setting is $1095 from Michael C. Fina. :: michaelcfina.com