Eating well in Italy is a given, but so too is the true art of setting the table. The Made in Italy relates to an important tradition of artistic ceramics (each region has its own speciality), porcelain resulting from the creative hands of design maestros, and manufacturing districts linked to the production of glass, crystal, home textiles and steel.

Speaking of maestros and artistic steel, Sambonet unveils a previously unknown project by Gio Ponti, a centrepiece of unwavering contemporaneity that gives way to a capsulecollection dedicated to the designer and comprising sophisticated furnishing items that change up the mise en place and give character to any location.

Elegant, lightweight, durable, resistant and sustainable, melamine responds to the need to eliminate disposable plastic and plays a starring role in the Dressed en plein air tableware designed by Marcel Wanders for Alessi. With a design as fresh and unconventional as its creator, the set is aimed at the outdoor world, ideal for open-air lunches or afternoon teas, buffets, catering and banqueting.

Is there a common thread that links these types of configuration? Considering the focus on ergonomics, quality materials, practicality, resistance, sustainability and functionality that shines through in the products on display at Homi, what prevails is a contamination of styles, materials and inspirations. As well as the desire to amaze. A trend that continues to grow is that of photographing a beautiful set table, plates with the chef’s latest creations, the designer centre piece, the most original mise en place, and sharing them on social media channels.