I had the unique opportunity to get a sneak peek at “Flamingo” the fantastic new Fiesta Dinnerware Color, which Homer Laughlin China Company debuted at the Home Housewares Show.  This new color will be available in fine department stores starting this Summer, and Flamingo color dinnerware is sure to quickly become coveted by Fiesta collectors.

Fiesta Dinnerware Adds “Flamingo” to Color Lineup

The Homer Laughlin China Company Debuts

New Color at Housewares Show

Each spring, The Homer Laughlin China Company launch of the new Fiesta Dinnerware color brings much anticipation among Fiesta enthusiasts, retailers, and color aficionados.  This year, a cheery, inviting hue enters the Fiesta spectrum – Flamingo!  Flamingo pink was introduced at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago, March 2012.

“Not only is it a delicious, enticing, appetite-enhancing, warm hue, but a beautiful backdrop to the food placed on it,” says color expert Leatrice Eiseman, www.colorexpert.com and eisemancolorblog.wordpress.com.

“Flamingo has been several years in the making due to the challenges in producing the glaze, but we’ve finally perfected it,” says Rich Brinkman, VP of Sales &  Marketing for Homer Laughlin.  “It is a color people have requested for a long time and we’re  thrilled to add it to the color lineup.  Flamingo has such versatility and complements many different color combinations.”

Producing the Glaze

Fiesta Dinnerware is fired at an extremely high temperature, making it the most durable casual dinnerware on the market today. Because of this high-fired process, certain colors can be very difficult to make, for instance, any shade of pink.  All glazes utilize various metals to form their vibrant colors.  Incidentally, pink hues require significant amounts of gold, which can make it very costly.  The color specialists at Homer Laughlin have spent several years working with different ingredients to develop the glaze recipe that enables the Flamingo hue to come alive on the dinnerware – and at the standard Fiesta price point.

“There is an art to developing just the right shade to fit in with the other colors. It’s also important to have consistency in the color, no matter how many pieces of ware  we make,” explains Brinkman.

Color Combinations

Flamingo will join the lineup of Fiesta’s iconic colors, some of which have been in production since the reintroduction of the line in 1986.  Forty-three colors have been produced since the brand was launched in 1936 – more than 75 years ago.  The entire 2012 spectrum includes: White, Black, Shamrock, Cobalt, Peacock, Turquoise, Paprika, Marigold, Lemongrass, Ivory, Sunflower, Tangerine, Flamingo, Scarlet, and Plum.  With the introduction of Flamingo, Chocolate will retire.

Flamingo lends itself to a wide variety of versatile color arrangements, on trend with the latest in fashion and home decor.

• Citrus Palette: One of the hottest color combinations for 2012, the citrus lineup includes Flamingo, Marigold, Sunflower, Tangerine, Ivory, Lemongrass, with accents of Shamrock, and Peacock.  This palette evokes the optimistic cheerfulness seen on the runways and in high-fashion for the last few seasons – and now it’s making its way into the home.
• Retro Chic: With a touch of whimsy and a nod to nostalgia, go retro with a combination of Flamingo, Turquoise, Scarlet, and Ivory.
• High Fashion: Feature bright tones of Flamingo, Tangerine and Peacock.
• Modern Sophistication: Sleek and formal, dine in modern sophistication with Flamingo, Black and Ivory.
• Back to Nature: Flowers make everyone smile.  Why not bring those smiles to your tableware with a color palette inspired by nature?  Combine Flamingo with Shamrock, Lemongrass and Ivory.

Nearly all standard dinnerware pieces will be available in Flamingo, including 4- and 5- piece sets and a variety of plates, platters, bowls, cups, vases, the signature disk pitcher, and serving pieces (sold separately).  Suggested retail price for the 4- and 5-piece place settings is $28.99 (MAP) and $50 (MSRP).

Presale starts May 15, 2012 and items will be in better department , .Coms and specialty stores late June 2012.

Join  the conversation about Homer Laughlin Company and Fiesta Dinnerware on Facebook

About Fiesta Dinnerware, Made In The USA

Designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead in 1936, Fiesta Dinnerware is now the most collected china in the United States and among the most collected china in the world. It has been featured on many popular TV programs, including ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover and the Today Show. The product was discontinued in 1973 and reissued in 1986 with new contemporary colors to mark its 50th anniversary. I ts unique Art Deco style has landed Fiesta Dinnerware in the collections of numerous museums from the Smithsonian Institution to the Andy Warhol Museum. For more information, visit: homerlaughlin.com.

About The Homer Laughlin China Company

The Homer Laughlin China Company is the last major plate, saucer and cup manufacturer in the country, employing more than 850 employees at its factory in Newell, WV.  In the restaurant and hospitality category, the company’s china dates back to the late 1800s and the production of white “ware”.  It was in 1936 that Homer Laughlin introduced its colorful Fiesta dishes.  Today, this distinctive brand is featured on dining tables across the country and coveted by a large, enthusiastic group of collectors.  Backed by a 130 plus history in the industry, Homer Laughlin continues to dominate in dinnerware—committed to its craft, its workforce, its region, and its country.  For additional information, visit: hlchina.com.

I hope that you enjoyed this sneak peek at Fiesta Flamingo, more to come about fantastic new foodie finds at the Home Housewares Show.  Thank you for reading Eatnlisten.com foodie blog.

Brad