All summer long I have been searching for a reusable melamine plate for barbecues and parties. I think that I've found it! Decoupage artist and East Village staple shop owner for all things that one might find in curio cabinet, John Derian just launched his collection for Target, featuring among other assorted prints on platters, a line of fabulous melamine plates!


[1-5. Target]

I was looking for an attractive plate on which to serve our housewarming buffet and at first, I thought of durable melamine plates like the Liberty of London collection for Target or the Thomas Paul sealife collection. However, I never thought that I would stumble upon such a beautiful biodegradable and compostable option from the Japanese brand Wasara. Designed by Shinichiro Ogata of Simplicity, the plates and cups are made from 100 percent tree-free materials: sugar cane fiber, bamboo, and reed pulp. Buy them at A+R store.

Even the package design is beautiful. I can't wait to visit Japan again this fall.


[1-5. Wasara]

I really like these whimsical dog silhouette plates by artist Mike Miller for West Elm. Can you guess which one I picked up today?

[1. West Elm]

I think some of Victore NYC's artist series of Dirty Dishes (marker pen on plates) are really great, although others are a bit racy. They are the bad-ass version of the decorative plates that your grandmother might have displayed on her wall.

(Milton Glaser is one of the most celebrated graphic designers in the United States--he created the "i heart New York" logo.)