Easy care, sexy and super colorful, resin has garnered attention from the art world as a way to realize artistic vision since the mid-20th century. A substance that can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, natural resin has historically been used in art to create glossy finishes and longer lasting paints, but has also been used to create jewelry or embed objects. But as fashion and home frequently imitate art, we are seeing a growing trend of resin popping up in home décor of late—one of the most popular being dining tables with epoxy finishes weaved in to create a “river” effect between two pieces of wood. But its application in tableware is growing. Since resin is washable, water resistant and can be designed in any color imaginable, and even with swirl, glitter or glowing effects, home designers are turning to resin to set tablescapes that feel modern, unique and fashionable while also being family friendly.
“We love that resin can be a décor piece or a highly functional serving piece,” says Pam Burke, global sales director at Blue Pheasant, a wholesale and retail company blending vintage style and modern design in a collection of mix-and-match pieces that can be combined to create countless tablescapes. The company makes each item by hand, using natural materials. The brand, among those in 365 Collective’s online and brick-and-mortar boutique has a range of swirled serving items that make for conversation starters on any table. “I love using the pink swirled resin bowl for jewelry or candy,” says Burke, who has also served up her share of decadent chocolate cakes with berries on top using the white swirled cake stand.
Those opting for resin should be mindful that while this material washes easily with mild soap and water, it cannot go in the microwave, and the dishwasher is not recommended. It can be susceptible to scratches. Periodically, massage some coconut oil into your natural resin products to prolong their life.
But despite its restrictions, home design brands love working with resin because of its limitless possibilities. “All of my clients, boutiques and studios I work with, keep asking for as many colors and shapes as possible,” says Shah Alam, director and designer at Gibb & Daan, a company that launched five years ago, which designs flatware, tabletop and gift items. The growing collection of resin is a testament to its appeal and versatility.
The resin salad bowl and serving set hand-poured to give it an organic and unique look, is a beautiful centerpiece for the table and large enough to serve salad at a dinner party, with a matching serving set. “We weren’t sure about an irregular cut, but the response has been amazing,” says Alam. “Everybody loves the rugged look on the edges. Each piece is hand-carved using sharp tools to create the edge. It’s a great variation that makes each piece really unique.”
Meanwhile, the colors and textures of the large resin trough, create an almost seashell effect. “This tray is a kind of transformation from a previous iteration,” says Alam. With a bit more weight to provide heft to the piece, and a shape that is neither oval or rectangle, it makes for an interesting conversation piece to the front entry, or the tabletop.
The growing appeal of resin, says Alam, is its versatility. “You can integrate it with different materials. It has similar properties to plastic, it is food-grade, lead-free and malleable.” The growth of the industry, he says, is “only just starting” as companies explore new ways to mix resin with different materials. For example, expect future collections to blend marble dust with resin for a stone effect. “We’re going to see a lot more of it in the coming years,” adds Alam.
Its ability to merge with other materials, like marble or wood, is what drew interior designer Lara Michelle, founder of Westchester County-based Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors, to incorporate a striking dining table with a “river” of resin into her Rye Brook, NY, client’s open-concept dining room. “It’s very unique and highly customizable,” says Michelle, which is what draws her to pieces incorporating resin. She has worked with a maker in Vermont for pieces like the tabletop she had custom made. While not pictured, a coordinating buffet incorporates the same resin river effect on its doors. Black epoxy inserts highlight the wood tones and create a focal point for the eye. An artisan pendant and custom dining chairs made with wooden backs carved from hand-picked tree trunks and velvet cushioned seats, bring the dining area together.
“The furniture maker who makes these pieces lets you pick out your wood based on what they have in stock,” says Michelle. Then epoxy resin is poured into the tabletop in the color of your choice and molded to fit perfectly with the wood. “I think that’s why myself and other designers really like working with it,” she says of resin. “You can really get creative and match it perfectly to your design.”
