When putting a tablescape together, whether a simple setting for your immediate family or an elaborate affair for hosting wider family and friends, there is nothing more important than the dinner set you use, bar none.
Of course, your glassware and cutlery need to work in harmony with your best dinnerware sets, but it's the plates, side plates, and bowls where the magic happens — the eating. And these items are the canvas with which you display your edible masterpieces (a far-fetched notion in my house, but for the seasoned cooks out there), so don’t underestimate them.
So when I came across this 12-piece bobbin dinner set from Habitat, a new addition that’s giving me Neptune tableware vibes, I was sold. The bobbin detail is what makes it — it’s so on point for style this year (and beyond) and for £35? Well, you can’t argue with that. Here’s why I love it.
This simple yet super-effective Habitat 12-piece stoneware dinner set in classic cream has both organic charm and timeless style. Containing four dinner plates, four side plates, and four bowls, this set will add visual interest and character to your tablescape with an artisanal feel, with the practical bonus of being both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, too.
This dinner set taps into one of this year’s biggest table setting trends — the joy of texture. The tactility of bobbin detailing — which dates back to the 17th century, where factory offcuts were used to create practical yet elegant furniture by artisans — feeds into that desire to feel design, as much as appreciate it visually.
“I am drawn to dinnerware that feels classic, but still interesting,” says interiors editor Emma Breislin. “I've actually had my eye on something like this bobbin set for a while now — it nods to tradition, but feels a little bit more whimsical, playful, and fun, which are all big trends we're seeing on the table right now.
“My advice is to keep the rest of your table setting quite minimal and modern, to let the bobbin details really shine without making the overall setting feel too cluttered or busy.”
The perfect blend of traditional and modern design, this dinner set can be easily incorporated into any design style with understated elegance.
"Bobbin detailing has this wonderful way of bringing craftsmanship and tradition into our homes," says interior designer Hannah Prescott.
More Habitat Bobbin Tableware
I am so into this bobbin wooden tray — it's currently in my basket (shh don't tell my husband, as I literally don't know where it will live). Crafted from acacia wood it could be used for food or decorative objects, it's that versatile.
Part of our design writer, Olivia Wolfe's, roundup of the best new homewares this month, these bobbin wine glasses also have matching champagne glasses in the collection, as well as cocktail glasses, and are so chic.
I think you'd be hard pushed to find a cake stand, made of acacia wood, that looks as elegant as this for £18. It's the ultimate table centerpiece for displaying your bakes and adding warmth and character to your setup.
Alternative Bobbin Tableware
Crafted from stoneware, this dainty and elegant set of four dessert plates has a hint of vintage charm whilst being perfectly contemporary. The Akoya stoneware cake stand would also complement these plates nicely.
I am a fan of so many products by Addison Ross, and this salt and pepper grinder is no exception. Crafted from wood with a lacquered finish, it comes in a selection of vibrant colors and gives me all the bobbin vibes I'm loving.
Available to pre-order now — and I certainly would at this price — these pom pom napkins give the decorative touch of a bobbin detail and can be combined with the matching Girona placemats and Girona tablecloth or Girona table runner.
No table is complete without some candles, and this set of three metal bobbin candlesticks would make the perfect display, either together as a centerpiece or staggered across the table. Also available in all white, though I'm loving the colors.
Oliver Bonas' cocktail glasses range includes a few stylish bobbin options, including these margarita glasses, which will be sure to add a fun and playful twist to your table. Margaritas not your tipple of choice? These Bobbin Gin glasses might be for you.
I love these sophisticated stoneware dinner plates in this dark gray hue, though they are also available in white, and you can buy matching side plates, cereal bowls, and pasta bowls from the same range, too.
Now that you have some refined yet statement-making dinnerware to add to your table, all that's left is to know how to set a table properly for the ultimate dinner party that oozes style and effortless sophistication.
