Photo Courtesy of Lara Kastner

Martin Kastner, of the design firm Crucial Detail, recently spoke at the MCA about his process for creating the unique serving pieces used at Alinea and the Aviary.

Among other things, he mentioned that some of his cutting-edge designs can be purchased for your own home. In the past, Kastner has sold items that didn't seem all that useful for most of us (a wire for stringing on a single bite, for example).

But a recent visit to his online shop turned up goods that are a bit more practical (yet still beautifully designed). One of my favorites? These great bud vases that hold a stem at a charming angle. Bonus: They’re less than $20 each!