Zeisel at Hillwood

Eva Zeisel may be familiar to design aficionados and Crate and Barrel shoppers (the latter is now selling her Tomorrow's Classic line), but the industrial designer's body of work is more fully realized in a new retrospective at the Hillwood Museum where a small show packs a stunning array of her ceramic tablewares and decorative items.

The Hungarian-born designer lived a storied life, working in Berlin in the 1920s and later Russia, where she was imprisoned under Stalin for 16 months (most of that time in solitary confinement). After immigrating to the U.S. in 1938, she quickly established herself and within years was showing her work at the Museum of Modern Art. Her concepts of good design are still with us today -- cookware that goes from oven to table and stackable dinner services for economy of space. These modern designs are spare in ornament, but sculptural, even playful at times. A beauty to behold.

Today, at the age of 98, Zeisel is still actively creating new designs. Some of her latest works are on view, including metalwares for Nambé and ceramics for KleinReid. Even the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles has picked up her "belly button" room dividers.

One extra note: The gardens at Hillwood -- some of the city's prettiest -- are at their peak, so it's a terrific time to visit, but reservations are required. Call now.

-- Maura