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From porcelain textures to retro silhouettes, vintage dinnerware is characterized by its chic and timeless style. The allure of these pieces lies in their ability to blend the charm of the past with the practicality of the present, offering a unique dining experience that is both elegant and nostalgic. Whether looking to wow your dinner guests or elevate weeknight dining, bring your table settings to the next level with our round-up of six vintage-inspired wares.

dinnerware
dinnerware

Edge drinkware collection. From $12, at Crate & Barrel.

CLEAN CUT
Balancing straight lines with dramatic proportions, the Edge drinkware collection embodies today’s merging of old and new. Available in a variety of styles, like old fashioned and high ball, the ultra-clear glass allows for the beauty of your drink to shine through.

dinnerware
dinnerware

Salad plates. $79 per set of 4, at Fable

INSALATA

Crafted with durable porcelain, the Salad plate’s minimalist design adds elegance to any table setting, perfect for everyday use or special occasions. Designed in Vancouver, crafted in Portugal.

dinner plates
dinner plates

Barro dinnerware collection. From $38, at Finnish Design Shop.

RED CLAY
A tribute to terracotta’s warmth and simplicity, the Barro collection by designer Rui Pereira embodies tradition and meticulous artistry through the use of simple form and daring colour.

dinnerware
dinnerware

Nesting bowls. $175, through LJM.

PERFECT FIT

Made of stoneware and dressed in a Warm White finish, ceramicist Laura Jean Marie’s Small Nesting Set of bowls features 5 handmade vessels to adorn your dining table. Inspired by the Sonoran Desert, these bowls infuse textures and shades evoking the landscape.

EQ3
EQ3

Oiva bowl. Approx. $43, at EQ3.

MORNING GLORY
The Oiva bowl from Marimekko’s Spring/Summer collection of dinnerware boasts a vibrant floral-inspired design courtesy of artist Antti Kekki. Paired with a porcelain white finish reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen table, this collection is both current and classic.

Dinnerware for Spring
Dinnerware for Spring

Short Night & Day glasses. $100 per set of 4, at Our Place.

ROUND-THE-CLOCK
The retro-inspired Short Night & Day glasses are just the right size and shape to serve morning iced coffees and evening cocktails alike. Sturdy, restaurant-grade glass made from a portion of recycled glass and sand make this dinnerware item a sustainable addition to your collection.

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Okay, but it clearly is

For the first 16 years of my life, the bat cave at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)—a reconstruction of an actual cave in Jamaica—was among my favourite places in the city. The cave was decorated with cast stalactites and wax bat models, which hung from the ceiling and threw jagged shadows on the walls. A few other features imbued it with spooky verisimilitude: the drip-drip-drip sound effects, the mirrors arranged to create the illusion of infinite depth, the strobe lights strategically placed to make the shadows flutter. When I visited as a five-year-old, the bat cave scared me. When I visited as a stoned fifteen-year-old, it scared me even more. Then came the renovation.

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