The cup and saucer keep the rough geometry of Philips’ cardboard models. The saucer has a cut, almost polygonal outline. The cup has an angular handle and a slightly uneven rim. The black painted line follows the edges, making the piece look drawn without turning it into a cartoon.

That is the strength of the design: it treats a small espresso cup as a complete object. The cup is useful for a single espresso, a short macchiato, or a small after-dinner coffee, while the saucer gives the piece a stronger table presence than a cup alone.

It also works as an espresso cup gift idea for someone who already cares about coffee gear, tableware, or design objects. It is specific enough to feel chosen, but still practical enough to use every day. The white porcelain is dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and food safe. The black detailing is hand-finished, so small differences in line and edge should be expected.

Annebet Philips shaped Carte Blanche from cardboard prototypes. On this cup, that shows in the cut-looking rim, the bent-paper geometry of the body, and the sharp little handle. The black line is not decorative trim in the usual sense. It draws attention to the object’s edge, almost like the outline in a sketch.

The cup holds 95 ml, or just over 3 fl oz, which makes it right for a double espresso, a short macchiato, or a small coffee. It can also be used outside coffee service for a small dessert, a tasting portion, or an espresso-sized drink at the end of a meal.

The white porcelain keeps the piece practical; the hand-finished black detailing gives it the slightly off-register character that defines Carte Blanche. Small irregularities in the finish should be expected.

It is sized for cappuccino, flat white, coffee with milk, or a small tea. The 220 ml capacity gives it a practical coffee-service scale without turning it into a large mug. The saucer is part of the design, not an afterthought; its irregular edge and painted contour give the cup a wider graphic footprint on the table.

The white porcelain body keeps the piece usable every day, while the hand-painted black details make it clearly part of the Carte Blanche collection. Small differences in the painted lines and finish are expected. They come from the hand-finished process and belong to the character of the piece.

Use it on its own, pair it with the matching espresso and tea cups, or build a full Carte Blanche table with the breakfast plates, bowls, teapot, jug, egg cup, and salt and pepper set. The cup and saucer are dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and food safe.

Designed for travel and small spaces, this set packs a complete tea ritual into a solid-walnut Luban-style box with a leather carry handle. Split sliding lids lift off and work as serving trays; inside, padded compartments hold each piece so nothing rattles.

The core is a Ling Long Zisha (Yixing) Shuiping teapot—high profile for clean pours and quick heat response. Four thin-walled “mutton-fat jade” porcelain cups feel light on the lip, while a Fangxin gong dao bei (glass fairness cup) lets you portion evenly and watch the liquor’s color. A small incense stick holder adds a quiet note to the setup.

Park bench, hotel desk, kitchen counter—the box parks neatly and the lids set the stage. Brew, decant, sip; pack down in a minute and you’re out the door.

Designed by Sebastian Herkner for Blomus, VAHLO pares tableware back to soft curves and easy edges. The cup sits low and comfortable in the hand; the saucer’s elongated shape steers drips and gives space for a biscuit or tea bag.

Up close you’ll see the glaze: a fine, natural speckle that varies slightly from piece to piece. It’s the quiet character that makes stoneware feel lived-in from day one—morning coffee, afternoon tea, late-night cocoa.

Set of two cups with two saucers. Stackable, sturdy, weekday-ready. Pull them from the shelf when friends drop by, or keep a pair by the machine for the daily ritual.

The set takes inspiration from the Ikari-Jinja philosophy, integrating the idea of sacred spaces and meditative practices into the design. Just as the Ikari-Jinja (a shrine for divine reflection and balance) holds deep spiritual meaning, this tea set serves as a tool for mindfulness, inviting peaceful moments and a sense of calmness during tea rituals. Each piece has been meticulously crafted, maintaining a unique texture, with attention to sustainability, making it a lasting addition to any home or collection.