BIOBU by EKOBO

Whimsical barware, eco-friendly bamboo fiber dishes, and products featuring woods for a modern organic look were hot at this year’s summer gift shows.

BIOBU by EKOBO is a line of tableware made from biodegradable bamboo fiber and other natural plant materials. The dishes are designed for everyday use and are as durable as plastic or melamine, but better for the environment since bamboo is a highly renewable natural resource. BIOBU has a decidedly contemporary look to the line with plates that have rounded corners that softly curve upward so there are no hard lines to be found on any of the dishes. The GUSTO collection is aimed at adults and professionals and is available in six different colors, while the BAMBINO collection was designed especially for kids and features six bright color options to choose from, with Lagoon as a neutral teal color that appears in both collections. The dishes are all stackable, dishwasher safe and intended for indoor or outdoor use. BIOBU has suggested retail prices ranging from $5 for a single bowl to $99 for a set of 12 pieces.

Magpie Ahoy! Collection Bamboo Fiber Trays, Modern Home Collection Catch-All Trays and Platter

Also making a splash with bamboo fiber was Magpie, a London-based line of all vegan housewares and gifts that launched in the U.S. last year. Among the collections from Magpie, that are designed in collaboration with numerous artists, both The Modern Home collection and Ahoy! collection feature items with bamboo fiber. The Modern Home line shows off 26 of the last century’s most iconic homeware designs from A to Z. A set of four bamboo fiber Catch-All Trays feature a different design on each 5.5-inch tray including a midcentury modern swivel chair, a retro kettle, a blocky asterisk clock, and a vintage shelf. A Large Platter in bamboo fiber shows off even more of the designs in a grid across the 12.7-inch diameter. The Ahoy! range is nautical-inspired and features maritime items in a color palette of blues and greens. A large Bamboo Fiber Tray measures 11.2-by-14.9-inches and displays a sailboat, while the Bamboo Fiber Tray Duo showcase either a narwhal and a lobster or a whale and an octopus and measure 7.4-by-5.9-inches.

BIAmboo from B.I.A. Cordon Bleu

Even B.I.A. Cordon Bleu, known as a manufacturer of porcelain and stoneware serving accessories, bakeware and dinnerware, has come out with a line of bamboo fiber, BIAmboo. The range consists of square plates and bowls, trays, and serving pieces available in two different shades of blue, a light green and white. New this year is the Flora pattern that features colorful abstract flowers and can mix and match well with the existing color options. BIAmboo Flora pieces include new 14-ounce tumblers, an 8-inch salad plate, and two sizes of rectangular trays. BIAmboo is all-natural, food-safe, free of chemicals and biodegradable. Suggested retail prices ranges from $6 for an 8-inch round salad bowl to $20 for a large17-by-13-inch tray.

Bottle Openers from zestt

Bar accessories were to be found around every corner of the summer markets, and while they are certainly a mainstay of many brands, some of these barware pieces combined the luxe trend of last year while leaning more towards the whimsical. Take for example the golden bottle openers from zestt, a home accessories design brand. The extremely giftable bottle openers are available in four different designs, including a lobster, fish lure, antler, and hexes shape. The Lobster Bottle Opener, with its claws and body in gold can instantly add a touch of sophisticated whimsy to any bar cart, while also being a completely functional and unique piece.

Spitfire Girl Shot Glasses and Flask

Brands like Spitfire Girl and Trixie & Milo presented bar accessories with a vintage feel to them. Spitfire Girl’s Gold Spirits Glass Flask has a swingtop with the word “Spirits” printed across it in gold and embellished with flourishes, reminiscent of old fashioned print you might see at a saloon. A set of two matching 12-ounces glasses is also available. The brand’s Animal Menagerie Shot Glass Set feature portraits of four different animals in suits. There is a cat sporting an eye patch, a bear with a top hat, a lion in a Kentucky bow tie, and a debonair fox in a Victorian-style frock coat and tie, giving the set a whimsical gentlemanly appearance.

Trixie & Milo Old Buffalo Nickel Portable Shot Glass

Trixie & Milo’s Portable Shot Glasses are just like the collapsible travel cups used for camping when space is at a premium. The 2-ounce stainless steel shot glass has an antique brass finished snap-on cap that is available in a variety of motifs, all featuring vintage designs with old-timey charm. The designs are laser engraved and there are eight to choose from for a suggested retail price of $18.00.

Wink Cat Wine Box Purse

Wink’s newest Wine Box Purse is designed with cat ears and eyes in black and white, and is as over the top as it is full of tongue-in-cheek whimsy. The insulated shoulder strap purse is made to hold a 3-liter boxed wine pouch and has a hole on the side to accommodate the spout. It has a suggested retail price of $40 and is also available in other styles.

Tovolo Skull Ice Mold

Tovolo debuted new ice molds shaped like Tiki figures and skulls. The two separate sets are the latest to roll out from the brand’s many different ice molds and would be great for any themed cocktail party. Each set has three different molds and they are also available as ice pop molds.

Bromance Freaker

Freaker beverage insulators are made in the USA and designed to fit a multitude of different drinks, from wine and champagne bottles, to cans and glass beer bottles. They are essentially knitted socks with elastic at the top that allows them to conform to any shape and then be thrown in the washing machine to get restored to the original form. Freakers aim to end drink condensation while also keeping drinks cool. They are available in over 75 different designs, including a collegiate collection and a states collection, with fun names like Bromance for a teal Freaker featuring a red heart with the word “BEER” in the center. Freakers have a suggested retail price of $10.

Picnic Time Mesarita Margarita/Chip and Dip Serving Table

Another trend spotted around the markets was the use of woods to add a touch of warmth to products. Picnic Time uses acacia wood in its Mesarita Margarita/Chip and Dip Serving Table, giving it a most elegant appearance. The dark acacia wood is combined with two ceramic dip bowls, a ceramic chip bowl, four 8-ounce margarita glasses, and stands on steel legs that fold compactly for storage. The Mesarita has carved out nooks to hold the included glasses and bowls, and has two specially carved out sections to hold salt to rim margarita glasses. It has a suggested retail price of $133.95.

Core Home Bark Edge Cutting Board

Core Home also uses acacia for the new Bark Edge Cutting Boards. The high quality boards lend a natural feel through the vibrant wood grains that are prominently displayed alongside the contrasting rugged edge of exposed bark. The Bark Edge Cutting Board has a suggested retail price of $24.99.

Kate Spade All in Good Taste Cutting Board

For Kate Spade’s new All in Good Taste collection of kitchenware, the cutting boards featured cheeky sayings atop the board’s acacia surface. There is a rectangular 16-inch cutting board, with green enamel along the edges for a pop of color, and the saying “Don’t Cut Corners” in the right corner. It has a suggested retail price of $40. A round 9.2-inch board has a light blue enamel edge and says “Almost Always Above Board,” it retails for $30. A set of four acacia and enamel coaster is also available for $25.

The French Chefs Medium Roaster

The French Chefs showed off white porcelain bakeware and dinnerware along with rattan accent pieces. The Medium Roaster is 9 by 13 inches and comes with a rattan holder for oven-to-table presentation. The use of rattan certainly differentiates the roaster from others and also lends a touch of rustic charm. Accent pieces include a bread basket, tray, bottle caddy, placemats, and a set of coasters.

This story was originally published in the September 2015 issue of Kitchenware News, a publication of Oser Communications Group.