Merritt International, a leader in the casual tableware industry, today announced its latest design collaboration with Maine artist, Kate Nelligan. Three designs will be added to Merritt’s heavy-duty melamine collections for 2020 during the summer markets including the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta, the Las Vegas Market and the Chicago Casual Market.
An accomplished artist and designer, Nelligan, founder of Kate Nelligan Design, presents a crisp, colorful palette and graphic imagery evoking the artist’s coastal hometown of Kennebunkport, ME. Dinner plates, bowls and serving pieces as well as acrylic drinkware are included in the three collections comprising this robust collaboration.
Nelligan’s inspiration comes not only from her close connections with the ocean, but from her family of origin.
“I grew up in a rich, creative environment where we were making things all the time,” says Nelligan. “You know how some families always play sports? In my family we were always painting, drawing, writing and sewing.”
Headlining the 2020 introductions from Nelligan are the Clamshell, Buoy and the Striper Collections. In the Clamshell Collection, Merritt captures graphic simplicity and a navy and white nautically-inspired color palette. Featuring this high contrast motif, the plates, bowls and serving pieces of Clamshell allow for elegant outdoor dining.
With bursts of color and a playful yet nautical design style, the Buoys Collection represents the New England design sense of the artist in high quality melamine.
Each plate, bowl, stemless wine glass or loaf tray creates a canvas for this whimsical design. A splash of the coast is on display in Nelligan’s Striper Collection that features striper fish in a color combination of blue and white.
“Our collections for 2020 are especially exciting as we partner with Kate and present her iconic New England and nautical sensibilities,” said Kimberly Plummer, Sales and Marketing Manager for Merritt Designs. “For this season, her work offers color and artistry for table tops with a coastal vibe.”
Merritt Designs will exhibit at the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta at Building 2 – 219, at the Las Vegas Market at C-691 and in Chicago on the 7th floor – booth 7-7102. During the markets, each of these new collections will be showcased in attractive dining vignettes utilizing color and motif themes and complementing solid dining pieces, drinkware, placemats and serving pieces.
For more information about Merritt International and its lines of table ware, contact support@merrittusa.com or visit www.merrittusa.com.
