Object Lessons: Kaj Franck's Teema Dinnerware - Remodelista
Created in 1952 by Finnish designer Kaj Franck, Teema is the embodiment of Franck’s minimalist design ethos. The dinnerware set, which includes platters and lidded casserole dishes, is inspired by the simple forms of the circle, square, and rectangle. Ironically, the designer almost flunked geometry in school, and instead credited French Cubist artist Georges Braque as one of his greatest influences. The dishes comes in a range of colours and are oven-, dishwasher-, and microwave -safe. Photograph by Suki Vento. Franck was born in 1911, when one’s social status could be distinguished by a table setting. Celadon, a new Teema color introduced this spring, comes in a multitude of shapes. The Teema 10.25-inch Dinner Plate is $24 at All Modern. Photo via Common Kitchen. “Color is the only decoration needed,” Franck said, and the range of colors at Teema are well suited to the indecisive. The Teema Mug is available for $22 at Fjorn.com. Teema was designed for the Finnish glass company Iittala, which takes its name from the area in Finland where the factory began in 1881. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. For more basics, go to 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Dinnerware and browse our Tabletop Image Gallery for ideas. Object Lessons columnist Megan Wilson is the owner of Ancient Industries and curator of the Remodelista 100 presented in the Remodelista book.