It's not always so bad to be part of the 1%. Tokyo-based nendo is showing his newest collection of 1% products this April in Milan. This second release follows his 2006 inaugural collection which included light bulbs, furniture, vases and tableware—my favorite piece was the "Fruit Template," a witty take on a fruitbowl.

Six years later, nendo's new collection continues with the project parameters of creating a limited run of 100, but this time around the collection is more focused with five sets of ceramic tablewares that reflect the designers considered and delightful aesthetic.

Only 100 of each object will be made.

100 is the perfect amount: they're neither one-off "works of art" nor mass-produced products made in the millions.

Whether its the skill of the artisans or new technologies,

we want to make things that are only possible.

because there are 100 of them. Not more, not less.

To give owners the chance to experience the joy of owing 1%.

This three-piece set consists of a cup, saucer and coffee filter holder whose form mimics that of the cup and saucer. With its stabilizing form when placed on top of the cup to pour coffee, and a volume of precisely one cup of coffee, the filter holder provides maximum function with minimal fuss. The saucer doubles as a tray for the filter holder after coffee has been brewed, and the entire set can be stacked for storage at half its height by placing the filter holder between the saucer and cup.

A teapot and cup set. The thick wooden lid provides good insulation to keep the tea warm, and its pointed center condenses steam into liquid and directs it back into the teapot, rather dripping down the sides. The lid becomes a top, and can be spun on the tabletop for amusement while drinking tea.

A set of small bud vases that can be stacked together like building blocks. The vase comes in four different sizes, carefully measured to fit together without disturbing the vase on the bottom. With careful stacking, the cases can accommodate a tall flower by running it through the vase on the top.

A sake set consisting of pitcher and cups, in the form of stacks of cups. The different sizes correspond to different types of drinks: one cup is a choko small glass, two cups stacked a slightly larger one, and four cups stacked a tumbler. The stack of five cups is actually a pitcher for sake. Because all of the cups have the same shape, they can be stacked together when not in use, and the one-cup choko doubles as a lid for the pitcher. When the pitcher is heated, for drinking warm sake, the cups can be warmed simultaneously, too.

shrink-plate

A design that takes advantage of porcelain's characteristics. When ceramics are fired, extreme differences in the thickness of the clay make the other side of the clay shrink away. Potters usually try to prevent this through a variety of techniques such as controlling the thickness of the clay and using curved rather than flat surfaces. The shrink-plate, on the other hand, makes what's usually seen as a problem into a design feature. By increasing the thickness of the decorative elements and making the slab of the plate particularly flat and thin, the plate's decoration stands out in relief.

The shrink-plate, on the other hand, makes what's usually seen as a problem into a design feature. By increasing the thickness of the decorative elements and making the slab of the plate particularly flat and thin, the plate's decoration stands out in relief.

The solo show will be on view during this year's Salone festivities in Milan.

1% products by nendo Palazzo Visconti Via Cino del Duca 8, Milan April 17- 22, 2012