Glass caddy in Porcelain

Some things are such an obvious good idea that you wonder why it took so long for someone to come up with it. The young design team of Andrea Grossfuss and Olaf Kiessling has burst on the international scene with a portfolio of lifestyle products that are head-shakingly sensible -- and well, fun. Take the James. This glazed porcelain plate has a  notch -- perfect for holding a wine stem. No more fumbling with wine and plate while you figure out how to shake hands or eat. While we have seen something similar in novelty magazines out of plastic, this butler plate has a wide unglazed brim so you can get a good grip. Kiessling tells us that the plate is being manufactured by German firm Rastal and be available world wide for around US$5.

The James was designed by German firm Sternform Produktgestaltung.