DESIGN & ARCHTIECTURE

A NEW TAKE ON TRADITION

Three of Portugal’s most celebrated design houses—Vista Alegre, Bordallo Pinheiro, and Casa Alegre—join forces to reinterpret the iconic Bicos glassware motif into a bold, collectible tableware collection that celebrates texture, color, and craftsmanship.

SAMANTHA GREENE

Portugal’s iconic Bicos motif has been adorning fine glassware since the 19th century, its distinctive diamond texture a familiar sight on elegant tables across the globe. This season, three of Portugal’s most revered design houses—Vista Alegre, Bordallo Pinheiro, and Casa Alegre—come together to reimagine the timeless pattern in a bold, collectible tableware collection that is as festive as it is refined.

The result is a visual conversation between porcelain, ceramic, and stoneware. Each material tells its own story, yet together they speak fluently in the language of celebration, hospitality, and style. This is not a revival of the Bicos pattern. It is a reinterpretation that invites the modern host to layer color, texture, and personality into every holiday gathering.

Vista Alegre brings quiet elegance to the table with a porcelain collection that plays with matte and gloss finishes. The crisp white surface, with its subtle texture and sculptural forms, feels just right for winter celebrations. Clean, classic, and ready to mix with metallic accents, evergreen foliage, or candlelight. From coffee and teacups to generous platters, this set moves effortlessly from morning brunch to evening formal.

Bordallo Pinheiro offers a vibrant twist. Known for its playful ceramics and vivid glazes, the brand introduces mint green, amber, pink, blue, and white into the mix. These are the pieces that bring personality to the table. Conversation starters with both charm and cheer. They are especially suited for casual dinners, weekend lunches, or adding a splash of color to a more traditional setting. Their texture is bold, their energy unmistakable.

Then comes Casa Alegre, grounding the collection with rich red stoneware pieces designed for impact. The centerpiece bowl and jug are standout items. Confident, sculptural, and deeply tied to the spirit of the season. Whether filled with fruit, florals, or simply standing alone, they provide an anchoring element to any tablescape and signal a sense of occasion. In a room filled with sparkle, these pieces add depth and quiet drama.

What makes the Bicos Tableware Collection especially exciting is its adaptability. Each line was designed independently, yet the shared heritage and design logic allow them to blend beautifully. Mix porcelain with ceramic, soften bold colors with crisp white, or build a tablescape entirely around one finish. There are no rules. Only options. And the chance to build a holiday setting that reflects your taste, your rhythm, your version of celebration.

As the season of hosting and gathering begins, the Bicos Tableware Collection offers more than function. It delivers a feeling. A sense that the table, whether for two or twenty, is a place where beauty matters, tradition evolves, and design can be both timeless and expressive.

Now available through each brand’s official website and select retailers, this is the kind of collection that invites collectors, stylists, and design lovers to build their own traditions. One textured plate, one festive table, and one unforgettable holiday at a time.