Designist Dream

For some reason I’m so tired these days - well having a head cold doesn’t help I imagine - and I find myself craving for and dreaming of coffee. Had a great cup last week at the new Cafe Joe chain that just opened here in Modiin. Joe takes their coffee very seriously. In fact, they were the first coffee place in Israel to roast their own beans. That perfectly piping hot, minimal milk-frothed, rich espresso has me still hankering for some more - and the energy boost that came along with it. So as the day winds down for me, the only thing I can do is plan my next morning cup and I scouted out some supremely fitting antique coffee mugs and saucers to do the trick. These are all available from Israeli antique auction sites (in Hebrew) and date back to Israeli ceramic coops from the 1950s through 1970s. Pretty neato, huh? I can’t tell which is more stimulating here the caffeine potential or the crazy retro patterns?!

For those of you interested in more contemporary ceramic tableware, check out the mugs by Israeli artist Efrat Gommeh. The ‘lock cup’ featured below, dissuades office coworkers from using your cup because of the drain hole which only you have the key or plug that allows you to use it! Gommeh was recently featured alongside ten other contemporary Israeli ceramicists making waves internationally at the Designboom Handle with Care exhibition in October 2007. Checkout the snapshot gallery for more amazing works for your table, home and imagination.