Less precious than porcelain and also more lively, these colorful patterned plates and chargers riff modern on traditional themes like the royal crest. Perhaps it's only fitting that the patterns are emblazoned on a highly democratic material: melamine. Someone at the Savannah College of Art and Design, which incubates Working Class Studio, must have decided it was time for the student product design group to live up to its name.

On a more practical note, melamine is great for outdoor dining: hard to break, easy to carry and clean.

Available at the SFMOMA store, for $8 - $15 apiece.