Guest Picks: Flatware to Make You Look Twice

If you're like me, you will search through all of the spoons in the cutlery drawer until you find that one-off that has something extra special about it, just to make an ordinary bowl of oatmeal a bit more exciting. Considering that we all pull out the flatware at least three times a day, why shouldn't we have sets that spice up our routines?

There are lots of cool options to consider, some more novel for special occasions and others that are unusual yet totally appropriate for daily use. This ideabook offers some ideas for making mealtime a bit more lively, stylish and fun. — Denise from The Swelle Life

Guzzini Feeling Kitchen Cupboard Cutlery - GBP 90.50 » I love colorful lunches and, better yet, vivid breakfasts to get the day going. These cheery, bright orange acrylic handles are just the thing to wake up the table and inject some sunshiny energy into mealtime.


iD Cutlery by Bow Wow - EUR 299 » This nature-inspired design brings the outside in with tree-branch-like appendages, but I think it's more fun to see my fork or spoon as waving hello or hitching a ride. It's interesting flatware, however you view it.


Yamazaki Gone Fishin' 5-piece Place Setting - $117 » I've always loved the whimsical qualities of children's cutlery but wasn't willing to eat with a stumpy plastic fork that wouldn't cut butter. This stylish fish-inspired set, complete with eyes and fins, offers all the fun of eating with unusually shaped utensils while maintaining adult dignity — possibly.


Tronada 5-piece Stainless Flatware Place Setting - $39.95 » The texture freak in me is intrigued by how the etchings on these handles would feel in my hand, and the aesthetics freak in me imagines how elegant this set would look next to clean white china.


iD Cutlery by Richard Hutten - EUR 199 » This is a really quirky set of flatware. The rectangular spoons and donut-like handles would tempt me to pick one up and ding my glass with the end. Broken glass aside, how about playing around with graphic napkins to play up the shapes found in the cutlery?


Eat Fit Cutlery - $145 » What a great set for those who are relentlessly masochistic when it comes to their workouts, as they can now continue pumping iron as they replenish their protein. Each utensil is proportionately weighted, the knife and fork coming in at 1 kg — really! — while the 2 kg dessert spoon makes your fingers work hard for your treat.


Italian Travel & Outdoor Silverware - $79 » I like the idea of having my own little set of beautifully designed cutlery to pull out whenever the occasion arises. Kept neatly together on a brass key ring, this is a handy thing to have at the ready for alfresco dining, traveling, camping or when you're about to dig into your take-out — only to realize you forgot to get something to eat it with. The knife also doubles as a bottle opener.


Haiku 5-piece Place Setting - $49.99 » It might take some time getting used to how this split-handled, chopstick-looking flatware feels in the hand, but it looks good enough to try. I like how the fluid curves of the knife complement the slim lines of the fork, which would be perfect for spinning vermicelli.


Paddle 5-piece Place Setting - $60 » A rather curious design, each utensil is almost symmetrical, appearing as if it's been twisted in the middle to create a droplet effect. The deviation in the set comes in the form of the slightly sinister-looking fork prongs.


Marchesi 24-piece Cutlery Set - GBP 392 » Just what I like: elegant minimalist design with a little surprise in the form of a geometric twist in the knife to spice things up. I'm seeing a soup bowl and dinner plate with angular edges sitting beautifully between the pieces of this intriguing set, all on a black linen placemat.


Seletti Keytlery, Gold - $395 » Skeleton key cutlery! How utterly charming. I'd hang a couple place settings from a special hook in the kitchen; this set is too cool to hide away in the drawer.


Taste Spoon with Stand - $50 » One day I hope to prepare and serve a five-course tasting menu, and I'd love to incorporate this neat gadget. This stainless steel tasting spoon rests on a salt pot, and not only will the presentation make an impressive addition to the service, but it opens up all kinds of creative possibilities for your opening course.


Baladéo 52 Gram Cutlery Set - $49 » I'm scared and intrigued all at once. Upon further investigation, this robo-esque knife and spork seem far less menacing when their practicality is considered. They incorporate a can opener and bottle opener so you have five handy implements for use on the go, or to make your dinner table considerably more edgy.


Butterfly Cutlery - $25 » This butterfly-adorned set features inscribed quotes of wisdom on each piece, which would come in handy for those awkward dinner party moments when the conversation has all but dried up.


Salvia Cutlery - $211 » Like liquid metal, this set is so shiny you might expect it to dissolve as you pick it up. If your table is like mine and in the line of direct sunlight, you may want to shift things over to avoid blinding yourself as you attempt to eat your bisque.


Hammered Steel Rivet 5-piece Place Setting - $39 » Rustic charm is evaluated a little differently when you're putting it in your mouth. Luckily, this set is more refined than crude, created by a metalsmith and hand-forged with a hammered brass rivet accent. The perfect accompaniment for a vintage-themed or country table.


Goth Flatware - $69.99 » This is the set you want on the table when Ozzy Osbourne comes to dinner. Its edgy goth style also makes the perfect place setting for a Halloween feast along with black tableware. All that's missing is a black rose centerpiece.


Almoco Flatware 5-piece Setting, Gold - $60 » While the design may be straightforward and traditional, the unexpected finish of this flatware makes it instantly special; how often do you get to eat with a golden fork? Going for gold is a great way to mix things up at the dinner table while maintaining classic style.


Mono 5-piece Place Setting - $400 » A splurge indeed, but you get a sleek and striking update to your table in black stainless steel. I love the elongated design, chopstick-like handles and unusually rounded spoons. The perfect dinner companion would have to be matte black tableware.


Laguiole Rainbow Flatware Set - $251 » I have the dessert forks in this style and love the set's array of bright colors and the slightly disjointed look of the handles. It's like "happy" cutlery with a bit of an edge, which can be a tough find. Have fun mixing and matching with different colored plates and bowls depending upon your mood.

Next: Designer's Touch: 10 Divine Dining Rooms

URL: Guest Picks: Flatware to Make You Look Twice http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-21293.html