Plates: the backdrop to every meal. We use plates everyday, so it only makes sense that the essential is both beautiful and practical. The cupboards of most Finns’ homes are stocked with iittala plates, or iittala plates drying in their astiankuivauskaappi (a clever invention by Maiju Gebhard in the 1940s). Iittala plates also make for fantastic art when hung on the wall using a plate hanger!
iittala Plates ‘Teema’
Designed by Kaj Franck in 1952, Teema is an undisputed classic of Finnish dinnerware. A simple circle with a raised lip, the smooth beauty is modest yet substantial. The Teema iittala plates stack beautiful and like all iittala dinnerware, are made from microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe porcelain. Teema iittala plates are available in a wide range of solid colors, with the addition of a new dotted glaze in grey and blue coinciding with 100 years of Finnish independence. The new Teema Tiimi collection is especially catered to plating Asian cuisines with Scandinavian style.
iittala Plates ‘Taika’
Meaning “Magic” in Finnish, Taika turns iittala plates into stunning works of art. Finnish artist Klaus Haapaniemi designed the Taika pattern in 2007, and it’s quickly become a favorite among fans of Scandinavian design. The imagery of fanciful foxes and owls inhabiting a whimsical forest is a daring deviation from the simplicity of traditional Nordic design; but it pays ode to Finland’s wonderful wildlife and is scaled back by simple shapes of the iittala plates. Though the stunning collection has the look and feel of fine china, it carries the convenience of daily dinnerware; each porcelain piece is freezer, microwave, oven and dishwasher safe. It comes in variations of white, black, blue, as well as red during the winter holiday season. A special anniversary edition was recently released to celebrate a decade of the design.
iittala Plates ‘Tanssi’
Like Taika, Tanssi (Dance) also features enchanting animals in mysterious woods. These iittala plates were based on the work Klaus Haapaniemi did for the Finnish National Opera production of The Cunning Little Vixen. Influences from Oriental and Slavic imagery, traditional storybook illustrations and even Art Deco can be found in the detailed line work. Though rich, Tanssi is surprisingly versatile and beautifully paired with other iittala plates and glasses such as Teema and Kartio. Each porcelain piece is dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe, making the dinnerware as sensible as it is stunning for special occasions and everyday dining.
iittala Plates ‘Origo’
Instantly recognizable for its timeless stripes, Origo is colorful, playful, and combinable with other iittala plate. The Origo collection was designed by Alfredo Häberli in 1999, and in 2002 it was awarded the iF Design Award. There have been many colorways released over the years, but the two mainstay version are an orange multicolor and a beige multicolor. The Origo iittala plates look especially striking paired with the iittala Teema dinnerware. Like all iittala dinnerware, each porcelain piece of Origo is microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe, so the bands of color can brighten your mood at everyday meals.
iittala Plates ‘Sarjaton’
An ever evolving pattern, the 2013 spring Sarjaton collection features a matching mismatch iittala plates and other dinnerware. Meaning “no series” in Finnish, the Sarjaton range redefines traditional dinnerware collections by offering varying prints, patterns, and textures which relate to each other in shape but differ in print. This flexibility allows the iittala plates and other essentials to be mixed and matched to suit your needs. A playful range, Sarjaton pieces were shaped by tradition but tailored for today. A collaboration of 4 different designers; Harri Koskinen, Aleksi Kuokka, Musuta and Samuji, iittala Sarjaton brings something new to the table.
iittala Plates ‘Kastehelmi’
Porcelain not your thing, or want to mix up the materials? These Kastehelmi iittala plates are made from stunning glass. The Kastehelmi was designed by Oiva Toikka, creator of the famous Finnish glass birds. Each of the iittala plates is decorated with concentric rings of rounded glass. Named Kastehelmi (Dewdrop) after the bubbled detailing on the pressed glass, this collection was originally produced from 1964-1988 and brought back to celebrate Oiva Toikka’s 50 year mark as a designer. The larger ones also act as beautiful chargers for staging other iittala plates.
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