A West Elm Modern Dining Table sets a particular tone - clean lines, contemporary silhouette, thoughtful proportions. While West Elm's own accessories certainly work, we've discovered several independent brands crafting extraordinary tabletop pieces that bring fresh perspectives to modern dining. From experimental glasswork to heritage ceramics, these selections emphasize innovative materials, traditional craftsmanship, and design that transcends trends.
Trulli Tall Olive Oil and Vinegar Bottle
In Milan's bustling design scene, R+D.LAB stands out for their distinctly cerebral approach to glassware. Their Trulli Tall Olive Oil and Vinegar Bottle in Diamine Green reflects this philosophical bent, drawing from Italian rationalist architecture while maintaining a thoroughly modern presence.
We're intrigued by how the bottle's form references the conical trulli structures of Puglia's olive-growing regions, yet feels decidedly contemporary. Each piece emerges from collaborations with traditional manufacturers who've preserved centuries-old techniques. The subtle variations in the green glass create an ever-changing play of light across dining surfaces, while the carefully calibrated pour spout transforms the simple act of dressing a salad into something more considered.
Why we like R+D.LAB
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Architectural Influence
Draws inspiration from Italian rationalist architecture and regional structures
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Heritage Craftsmanship
Collaborates with traditional manufacturers using centuries-old techniques
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Functional Beauty
Features a precisely calibrated pour spout for practical elegance
When fashion designer Margaret Ahearn pivoted to home goods, she brought an unexpected perspective to traditional materials. M+A NYC's Alabaster Round Tray exemplifies this fresh approach, treating the ancient stone as a medium for contemporary expression.
Working with fair trade artisan collectives in India, the studio creates pieces that honor both material and maker. We appreciate how each tray's unique patterns tell the story of its geological formation, while the proportions feel precisely calculated for modern table settings. The alabaster's natural translucence creates subtle lighting effects that shift throughout the day, adding an element of performance art to static displays.
Why we like M+A NYC
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Ethical Production
Partners with fair trade artisan collectives in India
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Natural Beauty
Each piece features unique geological patterns
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Dynamic Design
Translucent material creates evolving lighting effects
A tray like this one can tie a room together or give a focal point to a coffee table!
From their Birmingham workshop, Civil Stoneware and founder Katherine Tucker are reimagining everyday tools through an artist's lens. Their Mortar + Pestle in Sage demonstrates how functional objects can transcend pure utility without sacrificing practicality.
The studio's signature sage glaze emerged from years of material exploration. We're drawn to how it shifts between subtle and assertive depending on the light, creating a visual dialogue with surrounding objects. The proportions reflect careful study of traditional forms, optimized for both practical use and visual harmony with contemporary furniture.
Why we like Civil Stoneware
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Artisanal Evolution
Reimagines traditional tools with contemporary aesthetics
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Signature Finish
Features a unique sage glaze developed through years of research
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Thoughtful Design
Optimized proportions for both function and visual harmony
French-American designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen approaches glassware as functional sculpture. The Bilboquet Carafe reads like a meditation on flow, both visual and literal, challenging our expectations of what a vessel can be.
The form emerged from extensive collaboration with glassmakers who understand their medium's possibilities and constraints. We find ourselves captivated by how the carafe's curves seem to capture light and hold it, creating different effects as you move around it. Jacobsen's industrial design background shows in the thoughtful details - the perfect balance point, the precisely calibrated pour angle, the comfortable grip.
Why we like Sophie Lou Jacobsen
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Sculptural Approach
Treats functional glassware as artistic expression
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Expert Craftsmanship
Developed through close collaboration with master glassmakers
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Technical Excellence
Incorporates precise engineering for optimal functionality
Everything from this brand is so fun! Such great gifts!
Society Limonta brings centuries of Italian textile expertise into conversation with contemporary dining. Their Bon Placemats Set showcases their signature garment-dye technique, where each piece develops subtle variations while maintaining harmony with the set.
The Limonta Group's heritage in tapestry and jacquard (dating to 1893) infuses these modern pieces with historical depth. We're particularly interested in how the natural textures create visual interest without competing with other table elements. Their approach to seasonal color updates offers flexibility in styling while maintaining sophisticated foundations.
Why we like Society Limonta
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Heritage Expertise
Draws on centuries of Italian textile craftsmanship
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Signature Technique
Uses unique garment-dye process for subtle variations
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Versatile Design
Offers seasonal updates while maintaining timeless appeal
Large Donut Bowl by Elise McLauchlan
LoQ's expansion from footwear to home goods maintains their commitment to material exploration. The Large Donut Bowl, created in collaboration with Elise McLauchlan, demonstrates how traditional woodturning can yield thoroughly modern results.
Each maple bowl emerges from careful consideration of form and function. We're drawn to how the water-resistant finish preserves the wood's natural character while ensuring practical durability. The architectural influence shows in the precise proportions and clean lines, creating a piece that works equally well as a functional bowl or sculptural object.
Why we like LoQ
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Material Innovation
Brings fresh perspective to traditional woodworking
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Practical Beauty
Combines water-resistant durability with natural aesthetics
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Versatile Design
Functions as both practical vessel and sculptural piece
Manhattan's Chinatown holds many treasures, but Wing on Wo & Co. stands apart as its oldest operating store. Their Double Fish Vase represents five generations of porcelain expertise, sourced from Jingdezhen's master craftspeople.
Under Mei Lum's leadership, the store balances preservation with innovation. We're fascinated by how they've maintained traditional motifs while adapting proportions and lines for contemporary spaces. Each piece carries cultural significance wrapped in modern sensibilities, creating connections between past and present.
Why we like Wing on Wo & Co.
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Cultural Heritage
Represents five generations of porcelain expertise
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Authentic Sourcing
Partners with master craftspeople from Jingdezhen
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Modern Translation
Adapts traditional motifs for contemporary spaces
Peter Sheldon's Los Angeles studio brings laboratory precision to ceramic art. Their Stoneware Salad Bowl demonstrates how scientific methodology can yield extraordinary results in craftwork, particularly in their approach to glaze development.
The studio's commitment to creating glazes from raw materials allows unprecedented control over the final appearance. We're particularly impressed by their signature green glaze, which seems to absorb light rather than reflect it, creating an unusual visual effect. The technical rigor extends to practical considerations - each piece undergoes extensive testing for everyday use while maintaining its artistic integrity.
Why we like Sheldon Ceramics
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Scientific Approach
Applies laboratory precision to ceramic creation
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Custom Glazes
Develops unique formulations from raw materials
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Rigorous Testing
Ensures durability without compromising aesthetics
Fresh Perspectives
These pieces demonstrate how independent makers are expanding the possibilities of tabletop design. Each brings its own narrative and character while maintaining harmony with contemporary furniture. Through thoughtful curation, these accessories can transform dining spaces into dynamic environments that reward close attention and regular use.