From left to right, top to bottom – Dibbern pasta plate in brick from Safari Living ($130.00), Menu Norm complete tray four-piece set from Safari Living ($150.00), Lava candle holder three-piece set from Safari Living ($90.00), small dipping bowl by Anchor Ceramics ($10.00), two tone large temple plate in snow by Dinosaur Designs ($132.00), Art range cloud side plate by Dinosaur Designs ($72.00), and Shell teaspoon in black and snow by Dinosaur Designs ($25.00). Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files, styling assistant – Lisa Marie Corso.

From left to right, top to bottom – large fruit bowl by Anchor Ceramics ($180.00), Cantina tile jar by Country Road ($24.95), porcelain bones salt and pepper shakers (set of two) from Third Drawer Down ($45.00), small watercolour ceramic plate in black by Bonnie and Neil ($65.00), Variopinte medium enamel plate in blue from Ganim's Store ($35.50), and two tone temple dish by Dinosaur Designs ($54.00). Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files, styling assistant – Lisa Marie Corso.

From left to right, top to bottom –Tom Dixon hammered copper hex bowl from Third Drawer Down ($165.00), stone candle dish from Safari Living ($12.00), Arch tile sugar bowl by Country Road ($9.95), dinner plate in ocean by Mud Australia ($44.00), Joost white bowl from Safari Living ($61.60), Finch large jug by Country Road ($19.95), and flat serving dish by Anchor Ceramics ($25.00). Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files, styling assistant – Lisa Marie Corso.

It happens to be Melbourne Food and Wine Festival this week. We’re not actually attending / covering any events, as it’s not strictly TDF material, but perusing the MFWF program did get us thinking about food and design – which are, in all honestly, two of my most favourite things ever.

It struck me that the presentation of food has never been more important. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just for one – let's face it, everyone wants to make their lunch look pretty.  I think we all have Instagram to thank for that.

SO, for your viewing / purchasing pleasure, we have pulled together a little feature today about seriously stylish TABLEWARE! We sourced these party-perfect pieces from a bunch of lovely local retailers (most are also available online). Because the most photogenic meal always starts with a beautiful plate!

Table settings are not usually something you want to mess too much with. I reckon the most handsomely dressed tables are classic with a twist. White china is always a great starting point – but don't be afraid to add a few unexpected elements to liven things up a little! We've paired Anchor Ceramics' elegant, handcrafted vessels with quirky accessories, such as the 'Bones' salt and pepper shakers from Third Drawer Down. I'm also seriously LOVING Bonnie and Neil's brand new 'Watercolour' plates, launched just last week at Life Instyle.  Country Road makes a couple of appearances here because we can't get enough of their fabulous graphic 'Cantina Tile' range – such great value! And of course Dinosaur Designs' latest monochromatic collection also demanded inclusion because it is TOO photogenic for words.

We hope you like this special little round up of the latest tableware we are loving!

OH and one more thing. ASIDE from creating these eye-popping pics for today's post (thankyou Sean Fennessy!), we've also been working on our html skills by making all these shots CLICKABLE, for your convenience! OMG AMAZING WORK by the very nerdy, insanely clever Lisa Marie Corso! It's like the FUTURE IS HERE. So please make sure you CLICK on a bowl or two, or we'll be mightily disappointed. :)

We'd like to thank all the lovely shops who loaned us product for this shoot – Safari Living, Third Drawer Down, Mud Australia, Ganim's Store, Dinosaur Designs, Country Road. No it's not a giveaway. And just to preempt the inevitable, this is not a sponsored post either. No one pays for a mention on TDF – not now, not ever. We just really like shopping.

From left to right – Nathalie Du Pasquier placemat set from Third Drawer Down ($37.50), Konstantin Slawinski trivet in porcelain and leather from Safari Living ($65.00), Quake mugs (set of two) from Safari Living ($90.00), Arches wooden building set (only one orange block pictured) from Third Drawer Down ($60.00), Ruth Allen large jug/vase from Safari Living ($49.50), Ben Feiss utilitarian porcelain jar from Third Drawer Down ($100.00), straight edge medium shallow bowl by Anchor Ceramics ($40.00). Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files, styling assistant – Lisa Marie Corso.

From left to right, top to bottom – Peter Shire mug from Third Drawer Down ($48.00), Dibbern tea cup and saucer in pacific (saucer not pictured) from Safari Living ($58.00), Tom Dixon large eclectic form bowls from Safari Living ($176.00), Ben Medansky acrylic and ceramic bowl from Third Drawer Down ($72.00), Indeco table spoon from Safari Living ($40.00), small temple plate in black and snow by Dinosaur Designs ($60.00), and Nathalie Du Pasquier placemat set from Third Drawer Down ($37.50). Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files, styling assistant – Lisa Marie Corso.

From left to right – Doug Johnston cap'n'shape bread basket from Safari Living ($90.00), Peter Shire mug from Third Drawer Down ($48.00), Bistro strata bowl by Country Road ($7.95), watercolour large ceramic plate in blue by Bonnie and Neil ($85.00), and Indeco butter plate from Safari Living ($42.00). Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files, styling assistant – Lisa Marie Corso.