Back to the 90s

Casual tableware was big back in the 1990s, taking in a plethora of fruit motifs, geometric prints and mosaic themes – not forgetting the easy-going hand-painted look. The interior trends of the time were bright and bold, and tableware certainly followed suit.

It might be hard to believe… but the 90s are back! After a long wait, interior style from this decade has successfully pushed its way to the front and is being appreciated once again. Move over 1970s!

Let’s take a look at some 90s favourites…

The fruit motifs of Royal Worcester Evesham, named after the nearby fruit-growing region, were actually introduced in the 1960s, but by the 1990s – some 30 years later – they were so popular that one in five homes had embraced the pattern. A fruit motif tableware pattern was commonplace in the 90s, with popular dinner sets including Marks & Spencer Ashberry, Johnson Brothers Fresh Fruit and Wedgwood Provence.

Denby led the move to a strong geometric and mosaic theme in 1992, launching Denby Marrakesh. Quite stunning, the design incorporates a statement tribal-esque mosaic pattern on a crisp white background, with the reverse side of each piece featuring a mottled matt brown colour with subtle grainy texture.

Marrakesh made such an impact in the tableware market that it was selected for acquisition by the V&A Museum at the 1996 International Spring Fair, in Birmingham.

Continuing with the geometric and mosaic theme came Wedgwood Aztec and Wedgwood Florence – Home, both offering a softer touch in turquoise and jade, and yellow and pink, respectively. These were also popular as bright tones back then.

Mosaics continued strongly through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, with standout collections including Villeroy & Boch Twist Alea, with its bold-and-bright mix-and-match approach in lemon yellow, lime green and white, and Wedgwood Samurai – an eclectic mix of chequerboard, stripe and geometric touches. Samurai appeared on many a wedding list during its 10 years in production.

A round-up of the 1990s wouldn’t be complete without reference to the casual hand-painted look much-admired in interior design. From a tableware point of view, here are two patterns that perfectly combine the hand-painted look with the fruit and mosaics of the decade.

Poole Dorset Fruit has such a pretty and homely feel, with the stencil-effect hand-painted fruits – every type you could possibly imagine – sitting symmetrically at the centre of each bowl and plate.

The look of Churchill Ports of Call – Kabul couldn’t be more 90s. For those growing up during that time, the Aztec-style pattern and colourway probably has a very familiar feel. Maybe it appeared on an item of clothing or some curtains, or perhaps the tableware collection itself was used for family dinners.

Whether you remember 90s design fondly or are only beginning to embrace it now, pieces from these collections are perfect for introducing to your tableware.