Blink and you might miss it – squint or set it against a white tablecloth and you can see it. The effect appears at the periphery of the senses, but is powerful in its subtlety.

The series is called “Undertone” by Kristine Bjaadal, and it’s a brilliant way to bring the slightest bit of color and interest to an otherwise monochromatic table setting.

The underside of each dish is painted around the rim right up to the edge, but from above each plate, cup and saucer appears entirely simple and white.

Designer Kristine Bjaadal remarks,the plates are coloured on the underside of the rim. This colour is not seen directly, but is reflected onto the table or onto another plate underneath, and is merely seen as a coloured shadow. You may not notice this subtle decoration at first glance; hence it may come as a surprise when you finally notice it.”

“Every plate is unique. The rims are hand painted, and small masked out butterflies are hiding in the colour to give you an extra greeting when you turn the plate to see where the coloured shadow comes from. For use in restaurants the pattern can easily be customized. The prototype of the decoration was made by Figgjo on Figgjo’s set Europa, designed by Olav Joa.”

As for the designer herself:

“Kristine Bjaadal is an Oslo-based Norwegian designer whose work combines the functional with the sculptural. In her work she focuses on everyday life; her practice is driven by the desire to turn daily routine into rituals that can be appreciated. Her works have a poetic quality where use of materials and design united give associations to sculpture as well as to their intended use.”

“Bjaadal’s work spans from product design for commercial clients to handmade small scale production of crafts objects. The latest few years she has also been working increasingly with exhibition design.”