'Bistro Belle' Is the New Coastal Grandmother — And Jonathan Adler’s Newest Dinnerware Collection Pitches It Perfectly
Somewhere between laissez-faire luxury and unabashed cool, summer 2025 takes its cue from the unbothered je ne sais quoi of the Bistro Belle

Summer 2022 birthed the Coastal Grandmother — quaint, cardigan-clad, reading paperbacks between flower runs and Nantucket strolls. By 2024, we dove headfirst into Brat — a movement that took a color usually reserved for clubwear and splashed it across our kitchens. Now, in summer 2025, we’ve landed somewhere in between: the laissez-faire luxury of Coastal Grandmother meets Brat’s unabashed cool. If Jonathan Adler’s new Le Dinnerware collection is any indication of the changing tides (he usually is), then this summer is host to a new cousin-core: Bistro Belle.
The Bistro Belle does not chase "vibes" — she is the antithesis of recent New York transplants flocking to scene-y spots filled with long legs and even longer waitlists. She is the vibe — because every café, every flat, every corner of her Parisian-style home just exists in a state of casual perfection. Jonathan’s dinnerware collection captures that effortless nonchalance, steeped in Parisian tri-colors and retro sensibilities — unpretentious yet totally so. Like lingering three-hour lunches, indulging in something cool: a coffee, a bar of chocolate…
“Social gatherings can be fraught — sibling rivalries, parental neglect, the whole megillah,” the potter and designer quips to Livingetc. “Want to know what’s not controversial? A colorful table.” His approach is bold but not brash (lest we slip back into Brat), the kind of easy maximalism that suits any crowd. Because really, who doesn’t j’adore Paris? “Everyone can rally around a setting that’s sunny, optimistic, and chic,” he muses. “So pile on your favorite pieces, and don’t worry about over-scaping.”
The Frenchified, 70s dinner party-coded tableware encourages exactly that: slowing down, taking it easy. So you pour yourself Le Glass of water from Le Pitcher, lazily picking at a fresh pastry on Le Dessert Plate, flakes of buttery croissant spilling across Le Placemat — because of course you have one handy. You’re a Bistro Belle, and here, there’s no rush.
Price: $58/set of 4
You don’t need to see the le to recognize the nostalgic French typography emblazoned across this set of napkins. They’re the not-so-understated star of the table — one simple fold over plain white plates, and instant je ne sais quoi.
Price: $18
This glass takes even the simplest sip of water and gives it a certain panache, thanks to its signature stripes and effortlessly cool branding. It works year-round, but there’s something about it in the summer — catching the light on a sun-drenched table, making even small talk feel a touch more interesting.
Price: $58
If Bistro Belle were hosting, she’d serve her sides in Le Big Bowl — a seamless match to the collection’s red, blue, and white dinnerware, but just as striking on its own. Maybe placed on a woven charger, a quiet nod to casual French dining.
Price: $65, Was: $82
Bistro Belle is perfectly content flying solo, but she doesn’t mind a little entourage. Stack Le Bowl atop Le Petite Plate, then layer it over the larger Le Plate, with Le Mug off to the side. Chic on their own, but even more charming as a set.
Price: $78/set of 4
Ground the scene (or should we say, the Seine) in deep navy blue — a shade that’s both nautical and effortlessly summery. Its Parisian prep feels polished enough to go straight onto a bare table, which, save for the most special occasions, is often the French way: refined, but never overdone.
Price: $48
Whether or not a flight is actually booked, quench your guests’ thirst for a French-girl summer with Le Pitcher — the kind of gift that keeps on giving. Elegant yet unfussy, it invites the inevitable: Where did you get that? But Bistro Belle doesn’t gatekeep.
A bit like the Brat trend, Bistro Bell pulls on a cool, 90s-inspired aesthetic in a way that feels very right for the moment. Of course, it's not an aesthetic that's for everyone — I can see its bold, graphic quality being a put off for some — but I guess there's always the Coastal Grandmother trend to fall back on, if that's more your vibe.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Formerly covering fashion at L’Officiel USA, style maven Julia Demer brings her love of design to Livingetc’s world of interiors. As the title’s New York-based Style Editor, Julia's work reflects a sharp eye for detail and an innate passion for aesthetics. Her journey began with a strong foundation in design, honing her craft at renowned establishments like The Row and even establishing her own eponymous fashion brand. Julia’s design background is evident in the way she thoughtfully curates shopping edits, always maintaining a focus on emerging trends while preserving timeless sensibilities. For Julia, fashion and interiors go hand in hand, reflecting her lifelong commitment to perfecting the art of style.
-
How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel — The 10 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way That Make Your Project a Lot Easier
First-hand advice on how to reduce overwhelm and stress during the remodeling process (from someone who's been there and done it more than once)
By Natasha Brinsmead Published
-
How to Light Your Bathroom Like a Spa — 11 Ideas That Will Take Your Space From Everyday to Luxurious Retreat
From soft, glowing wall lamps to dimmable bulbs, experts share their top lighting tips for a spa-style bathroom at home
By Lara Sargent Published
-
Japandi Decor Is the Cure to Chaos — 6 Buys That Will Instantly Bring This Style to Life
A fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian sensibilities, this distinct style strips away the noise in more ways than one
By Julia Demer Published
-
This Isn't Your Grandma's Mother of Pearl Decor — Shop 9 *Actually* Stylish Pieces
Once considered dowdy and kitsch, some of the coolest designers are reimagining mother of pearl decor, giving it a whole new ethereal elegance
By Devin Toolen Published
-
I Spent Way too Long Smelling Glasshouse Fragrances Last Weekend — But Also Worked Out the Best 6 Scents
From 'Arabian Nights' to 'Midnight in Milan', candles by Glasshouse Fragrances transport you to luxurious destinations around the world with just one whiff
By Devin Toolen Published
-
This is the 'Old-Fashioned' Detail You're Forgetting on Your Table — "They Add a Layer of Height and Texture," Says a Stylist
Got all the ingredients for a good table setting but something still feels wrong? This is the detail you're likely missing
By Devin Toolen Published
-
This Big 12-Seater Dining Table Turns Into Console When You Don't Need It — And It's on Sale Right Now
'The Practical' table from Transformer Table might just be the best piece of modular furniture I've ever seen
By Devin Toolen Published
-
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent's Latest Furniture Collaboration Was Inspired By a Surprising 90s Film
Timeless styles that are rich, elegant, and inviting — that's the essence of Living Spaces' New Estate Collection
By Devin Toolen Published
-
The $20 Pillow That's About to Complete Your Dream Outdoor Setup — And Save Your Boring Backyard
Picking up a bolster pillow for your outdoor furniture gives it that extra finishing touch that makes your pation feel as comfortable as your indoor space
By Julia Demer Published
-
Parachute Changed This Tiny Detail — Now Its Bath Towels Are Softer and More Absorbent Than Ever
A denser weave, a plush new feel — this might be its best towel yet
By Julia Demer Published