Design Darling

Products with character and attitude
© Rosenthal
© Rosenthal
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
13. November 2025 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
13. November 2025
|
Alexandra Gorsche

Sometimes it’s not the loudest that leaves an impression—but the most authentic. Whether it’s an iconic table or sculptural porcelain, these are products with character and attitude—and inspiration for spaces that can do more than just look beautiful.

Botero by Cattelan Italia—a table with expression

The new Botero table combines sculptural design with Italian craftsmanship. The centerpiece: a central clay base inspired by the voluminous figures of artist Fernando Botero – softly curved, solid, yet elegant. The tabletop is available in various sizes and exquisite finishes: in high-quality wood for natural warmth or in ceramic with a marbled look for lasting elegance.

Special features: sturdy, handmade base, wood or ceramic finishes, available in various sizes, versatile use from dining rooms to hotel lobbies.

cattelanitalia.com

Sonetto by Rosenthal – Poetry in porcelain

With the Sonetto collection, Rosenthal elevates casual dining to a poetic level. Floral shapes, highs and lows, floral reliefs, and refined textures combine to create a harmonious ensemble of the finest porcelain, stoneware, and glass. Cups with delicate handles, bowls on pedestals, and small jugs skillfully contrast delicate and rustic elements. White dominates the color palette, accented by matte-gloss glazes and fine gold rims.

Award: German Design Award 2025 (“Excellent Product Design – Tabletop”)

RRP: Plates from €14, stoneware jugs approx. €20

rosenthal.de

BORA grill pan – minimalism with sophistication

With the grill pan, BORA is expanding its design universe with a kitchen accessory that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Made of cast aluminum, it distributes heat evenly, ensuring juicy meat, tender fish, or aromatic vegetables – all year round. Its non-stick coating allows for low-fat frying and easy cleaning, whether on an induction hob or in the oven up to 250 °C.

The rectangular shape is perfectly matched to BORA induction hobs, but also fits other hobs just as well. Clever: four silicone feet protect the glass ceramic, and the handles are designed to provide a secure grip in the oven. Measuring 469 × 270 × 60 mm, the pan also fits perfectly into the BORA X BO steam oven.

The design is deliberately minimalist – a flat surface without grill grooves opens up a wide range of possibilities, from steaks to pancakes. This makes the grill pan a universal tool that fits seamlessly into the clear aesthetics of BORA: minimalist, durable, uncompromisingly functional.

bora.com

From the Genusspunkt Sept-Oct 2025

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© Rosenthal

Cast off

Tableware reimagined

Finely woven, locally produced, and stylishly presented: table linen from Austria is experiencing a revival. Why regional textiles are taking on new significance for the restaurant and hotel industries and connoisseurs, and how tradition, sustainability, and design are merging to make a strong statement.

At a time when authenticity, regionality, and sustainability have become the currency of upscale hospitality, an often underestimated element is coming back into focus: table linen. What used to be purely functional is now becoming a stylistic extension of the host’s DNA. And it is local companies that are inspiring the industry anew with their spirit of innovation and tradition.

Floral fantasy meets hospitality

The table as the center of life

An artfully set table tells more than the menu. For Björn Kroner, the table is not just a place to eat, but the center of life. With his new book Blumen, Glanz und Tafelfreuden (Flowers, Splendor, and Table Delights), he calls for a rethinking of table settings—as a stage for stories, design, and emotions. What the hotel and restaurant industry can learn from this.

Iconic comeback

Red Bull Hangar-7 and the Ikarus restaurant

Since its opening, Red Bull Hangar-7 in Salzburg has been regarded as a total work of art—a symbiosis of architecture, aviation, art, and cuisine. Following extensive renovations, the iconic building celebrated its reopening on June 7, 2025, followed by the relaunch of the two Michelin-starred restaurant Ikarus on June 11.

quick & dirty
Sonetto by Rosenthal © Rosenthal
Design Darling

Sometimes it’s not the loudest that leaves an impression—but the most authentic. Whether it’s an iconic table or sculptural porcelain, these are products with character and attitude—and inspiration for spaces that can do more than just look beautiful.