Table Talk - houseware items - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, Nov, 1999 by Danny Seo

These dishes, glasses and cutlery are as eco-conscious as the food you serve

If you love to entertain--from festive holiday feasts to simple family dinners--setting an inviting table is a big part of the fun. And yet, you may feel hard-pressed to find tableware that's as good for the planet as the food you serve is for your friends and loved ones.

There's good news on the designer front. Just a few years back, eco-friendly dishes and accoutrements were hard to come by, but today there's a wealth of stylish and practical options. Objects made from natural and recycled materials top the list of "green" tableware, but remember: Buying vintage items or doing a little kitchen recycling of your own goes a long way toward preserving our precious resources.

1. Vermont artisan Luke Mann salvages fallen trees and loggingsite remnants; then, with a lathe and a steady hand, he creates these one-of-a-kind, food-safe serving bowls ($135). Available from Simon Pierce: (212) 332-3293.

2. This lightweight flatware set is the future of eating utensils. Authentics' 4 TIMES cutlery ($5/4 pieces) is made from superstrong 100 percent recycled polypropylene plastic, is dishwasher-safe and comes in ice (shown) and royal blue. Call (414) 598-8977 or visit www.authenticsusa.com for a retailer near you.

3. Design Idea's Re:Generation series features affordable recycled-glass pieces. These tumblers ($2.50 apiece) are made from refinished wine and water bottles and come in cobalt (shown), light green and Mexican green. For a retailer near you, call (800) 426-6394.

4. Nutzy-Azcast Products' squirrel-shaped bottle opener ($7) combines whimsy and practicality in this staple of the home bar or kitchen. Made in the USA of 100 percent recycled sand-cast aluminum. To order, call (626) 330-2177.

5. Buyers from Anthropologie scour tag sales and flea markets the world over to find eclectic, stylish items for the home. This charming 1920s cafe au lait bowl ($38) was found in a French flea market and is perfect for serving soup, ice cream or your favorite frothy hot beverage. Other unique objets are always in stock at Anthropologie stores nationwide. Call (800) 309-2500 or visit anthropologie.com for a store near you.

6. From B&B International's exclusive new product line B1 comes this delightful coconut shell dessert bowl with sterling silver base ($150), made in Colombia. With such clever designs, no wonder B&B is a favorite of such celebs as Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts. Call (212) 243-0840 to order.

7. To make this dinnerware set, Fire and Light hand-sorts old glass bottles and jars by color, breaks them into tiny pieces then melts them in a kiln, From there, the glass is poured into molds to create these dishwasher-safe dishes that add sparkle and warmth to any table, Also available in light green. For additional info, call (800) 844-2223.

8. Fish's Eddy has made quite a name for itself by buying up unique dinnerware around the country from hotel bankruptcy sales and overstocked restaurants. These attractive chargers ($12 to $22) are just a small sampling of their wares (which also include glassware, servers and much more). For more information or to find a store near you, call (877) 347-4733.

9. These ultramodern "Corners" candleholders ($42 for set of three) from Design Ideas are made from 100 percent recycled aluminum. Used separately or as a set, they're a sure bet to light up your next dinner party. Call (800) 323-5461 for a retailer near you.

10. Toast your commitment to a more eco-conscious New Year with these recycled-glass etched "Apple" flutes from Greenglass ($18.50 apiece). Three South African entrepreneurs had the bright idea of turning a bottle upside-down to form a drinking glass. Unlike with conventional recycling, this glass is not melted down; rather, it's cut and refastened, which results in this distinctive shape. Visit www.greenglass.com or call (413) 274-1111 to order.

11. These autumnal plates from Fisher's Eddy ($4.50 to $12 apiece) make a simple table more fun and festive: (877) 347-4733. The hemp/cotton tablecloth from San Francisco's A Happy Planet comes in two sizes and is stronger than all-cotton ($35/$42). The twill napkins ($6 each) are of unbleached cotton from Oxford Hemp Exchange ([800] 411-5728), and the stainless napkin rings with colored stones ($20) hail from B&B International ([212] 243-0840).

12. We found this Bombay tea service ($28) at Terra Verde, an eco-friendly home furnishings shop in NYC's chic Soho district. It's perfect for serving up homemade mint juleps or fresh-brewed iced tea. Best of all, it's made entirely from recycled glass and salvaged aluminum wire. Call (212) 925-4533 to order.

13. Hard to believe this handsome "Barcelona" serving bowl ($50) was a pile of aluminum soda cans in its last life; from Modulus: (800) 486-2580, And the pewter "Disco" pitcher with green center stone ($90) is made in Colombia and sold exclusively at B&B International in New York City ([212] 243-0840).

14. Thanks to home-decor company Carnevale, this famous 1950s olive dish is being reissued ($15/16 in.). Made from local mud by Mississippi artisans Lee and Pup McCarty, the dish is spacious enough to accommodate olives, crudites or even breadsticks. To order, call (800) 548-9979 or visit www.carnevale.net.