Culinarycore: The food-inspired decor trend we can't get enough of

Food-inspired design has long been the go-to for bringing joy to the simplest table settings, from 18th-century botanical pieces and mid-century cabbageware to today’s fruity table decor.

“People have decorated their tables with fruit and vegetable-themed ceramics for centuries, and these pieces have made a comeback as culinarycore takes over social media and our tables,” says Lucy Fenton from Fenton & Fenton, a long-time devotee of food-inspired ceramics. 

Taking its design cues from the colours and forms of different foods, the culinarycore trend incorporates them into daily essentials from platters, paints and pillows to glassware and candles. Hot on its heels since last year is TikTok’s Grocery Girl Fall trend, accompanied by endless videos of food-inspired wares and styling.

“Decor is often inspired by fashion, and fruity, fun statement prints are a staple this season,” Fenton says. “It feels natural serving food on food-inspired creations, but in a fun, colourful and playful way.”

Fenton stocks fruity ceramics by artist Patrizia Italiano, who handmakes statement pieces – such as her popular Prickly Pear platters – in Sicily. “Tableware is a canvas for creativity and a way to bring your individual style to life, and we mix it to the max,” she says. “We love styling with real produce and playing around with the subject of ceramics.”

Textile brand Bonnie and Neil’s Waikiki linen range draws inspiration from the Hawaiian archipelago known for its tropical fruit, which inspired the mangos, melons and pineapples. “When styling, take your cue from the print featured on your tableware,” suggests designer Bonnie Ashley.

“Amplify a mood, styling a beautiful fruit tablecloth with matching fruit, like our Papaya tablecloth styled with bananas and papayas. I love styling with fruit and vegetables – tomatoes, lemons and artichokes all look fantastic.”  

Candle purveyor Nonna’s Grocer was inspired by sisters and co-owners Madeleine and Isabel Hoy’s family history. “Our great-grandfather Giuseppe migrated from Italy to Daylesford in Victoria in the 1930s and started his first fruit shop,” says Madeleine, whose first product, a lemon candle, is an ode to his food artistry.

Today, their range includes sumptuous tomatoes, grapes, juicy citrus, plums, quince, vibrant chilli and fennel, all handmade in their Sydney studio.

“Design trends are increasingly reflective of our idealised states of beings, which, for many, revolves around food and bringing friends and family together,” says Isabel. “Burn our candles with loved ones over a delicious meal or light an orange candle next to the bathtub; it’s very relaxing.” 

The pair have spread their love of food and design through collaborations, including a muscatel grapes candle with Maison Balzac, a butter candle with ceramicist Milly Dent and a burrata candle with Vanella Cheese. “We are busily cooking up our first scented range and running a candle-making course at the Sydney Opera House with All About Women,” says Isabel.

Delicious foodie memories from her 1980s childhood are behind French-born designer Elise Pioch Balzac’s current collection for her glassware brand Maison Balzac. Her hand-blown, food-adorned stemware, platters and wine carafes studded with stylised foods, including olives and citrus, have been a staple on some of the most interesting dining tables.

“Using [food] as trompe l’oeil on elegant glass pieces makes my heart smile,” she says. “What better way to celebrate the iconic prawn cocktail than adorning a coupe with a single pink glass prawn?”

Pioch Balzac finds joy in imbuing a sense of surrealism in her styling.

“Add a real olive to our martini glass to elevate it to a Baroque experience, or place oysters and half a lemon on our Grand Soleil platter with its lemon-like base,” she suggests. “Blurring the senses is such a playful activity for us, and my goal is always to create a talking point and a smile from every guest.”

Bon appetit.