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It started in Portugal. In the early stages of designing her much-awaited second collaboration with Crate & Barrel, Leanne Ford took a trip to Lisbon; but where most of our souvenir hunting usually just results in a new catchall bowl, hers formed the basis of an entire collection. “I love ceramics—I love the feeling of beautiful, heavy pieces,” Ford tells us. “This was the right country to get that experience in.” She took the inspiration gleaned from popping into tiny boutiques and chatting with local artists and spun it into a 28-item servingware range that’s officially available to shop today.
“Entertaining is not as important now, but tabletop is more than ever: We’re not going out to restaurants. We all have to have plates—let’s make them pretty,” explains the designer. “I wanted to create something that, even piled up in the sink, looks chic.” Everything is multifunctional, too: When the pitcher isn’t employed at the bar cart, Ford recommends letting it freelance as a flower vase. It’s time to make setting the table fun again.
Luckily, her signature monochromatic palette makes it easy to mix and match. Her go-to pairing right now? “All the different bowls together!” says Ford. “We very consciously created each one with different glazes and shapes, so they feel found and curated but live well together.” She likes to group them and fill them with whatever she has handy. Stack one to the brim with seasonal fruit for a quick centerpiece, and use the littlest vessels for small bites. Even if you’re not big on cooking elaborate meals these days, there’s always time for tapas-style snacks.
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