When Oprah Daily names a product one of its O List: Summer Essentials, it’s worth paying attention. Australian brand porter green has done just that with its elegant, 100% unbreakable silicone drinkware, beloved for making outdoor entertaining effortlessly stylish. As the brand officially launches in Canada, we spoke with founders (and sisters!) Jane Cox and Mary Warnest about sustainability, thoughtful design and why these colourful glasses are destined to become the MVP of summer hosting. —Noa Nichol
porter green has become synonymous with stylish outdoor entertaining. What inspired you to create drinkware that proves practical doesn’t have to mean compromising on beautiful design?
We believe that practicality should never come at the expense of style. Memorable gatherings begin with helping guests feel relaxed, so choosing durable, unbreakable drinkware means there’s no need to worry about broken glass around the pool, on the boat or at the beach. Even better, our drinkware floats—adding a playful design detail poolside and making it easy to retrieve if it happens to end up in the water. It’s those thoughtful, functional details that make outdoor entertaining feel effortless as well as elevated.
As sisters and co-founders, how do your different strengths and perspectives influence everything from product development to colour palettes and the overall aesthetic of the brand?
We often say how fortunate we are to work with our favourite people every day. Porter Green is very much a family business, and my niece Matilda (Mary’s daughter), our Global Brand Manager, also plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand.
Our different perspectives are one of our greatest strengths. Mary and I have complementary but distinctly different styles, and Matilda brings a younger lens and fresh ideas to the table. That combination means there’s plenty of healthy debate when we’re developing new products, refining colour palettes or making creative decisions—but it’s our shared passion that leads to our world-leading collections.
Rather than designing for one particular taste, we challenge each other to create collections with broad appeal while remaining true to our aesthetic. Every new collection is the result of balancing different viewpoints, and we believe that’s what gives porter green its distinctive style—timeless, contemporary and designed to be loved by a wide range of people.
Your collections are filled with soft, sophisticated colour pairings. What inspires each season’s palette, and do you have any advice for mixing and matching colours to create a tablescape that feels curated rather than overly coordinated?
One thing we’ve observed is that pre-COVID, everyone was into neutrals. Post-COVID that changed – our brights took over. Our theory was that, following the impact of the pandemic, people were looking to inject fun and positivity into their lives. Today we intentionally design the collection to include two ‘sub-palettes’, neutrals and brights, to fit seamlessly into any setting. Another way of viewing this is that the neutrals lean more into the cooler months whilst the brights evoke the spirit of summer.
Mixing colourways across the table can create a more contemporary look. Our colourways are designed to work together, so mixing shades within each palette creates depth and interest while still feeling cohesive.
To make a tablescape feel curated as opposed to ‘matchy-matchy’, we suggest thinking in terms of one of these colour palettes instead of a single colour. Start with a hero colourway (say sage + olive) then layer in other colourways as accents. Vary the textures with linen & dinnerware then add flowers and greenery to add richness. And not everything needs to coordinate perfectly. One unexpected colour or pattern often makes a setting feel more personal and effortless!
Outdoor entertaining has become more design-driven than ever. What are your favourite tips for creating a table that feels elevated and inviting, whether you’re hosting at the cottage, by the pool or in your own backyard?
Outdoor entertaining has become an extension of our homes, so we love approaching an outdoor table with the same thought and attention to detail as an interior space. The goal isn’t to have everything perfectly matched, but to create a setting that feels relaxed, welcoming and beautifully curated.
For a more understated, luxurious look, pair neutrals such as sage + olive, terra + peach, wheat + oat or blanc + dove. Layer these with natural linen, candles and seasonal flowers or greenery to add texture and warmth—simple touches that instantly elevate a cottage lunch or long afternoon in the backyard.
For poolside entertaining, outdoor celebrations or bachelorette parties, embrace colour. Our brighter palettes reflect the energy of summer, combining blues and greens inspired by the water and sky with vibrant pinks, oranges, yellows and reds that capture the warmth of sunrise and sunset. Mixing these shades creates a joyful, playful table that’s full of personality without feeling overdone.
Today’s consumers want products that are as sustainable as they are beautiful. How has longevity shaped the design philosophy behind porter green, and why do you believe buying less—but buying better—is the future of home entertaining?
At porter green, we believe sustainability begins with longevity. The most sustainable product isn’t necessarily the one made from the newest material—it’s the one you’ll still be using and loving years from now.
That philosophy shapes every design decision we make. We create products that are timeless rather than trend-driven, combining beautiful aesthetics with exceptional durability. Our unbreakable silicone drinkware is designed to withstand countless picnics, pool days, celebrations and everyday moments, offering a long-lasting alternative to fragile glass and single-use products.
We think consumers are becoming much more considered in the way they shop. People are looking beyond impulse purchases and asking, Will this last? Will I use it often? Does it genuinely add value to my life? Those are exactly the questions we ask ourselves during the design process.
We believe the future of home entertaining is about buying fewer, better things—pieces that are versatile, beautifully designed and made to be used again and again. When a product is functional, durable and brings joy every time you reach for it, it naturally becomes part of your everyday life. That’s the kind of sustainability we aspire to create.
What are some of your favourite styling hacks or entertaining essentials that instantly make guests feel special, without requiring hours of preparation or a big budget?
We always say that thoughtful details have a far greater impact than extravagant ones. Creating a memorable table isn’t about spending more—it’s about making guests feel genuinely welcome.
One of our favourite styling hacks is to layer different textures. A linen tablecloth or runner, flickering candlelight and fresh foliage from the garden can instantly make a table feel warm and considered. We also love mixing complementary colours rather than matching everything perfectly. A curated palette feels far more relaxed and effortless than a table where every piece is identical.
Beautiful drinkware is another simple way to elevate any gathering. Whether it’s sparkling water with fresh citrus, a signature cocktail or a favourite local wine, serving drinks in thoughtfully designed glasses instantly makes the occasion feel more special.
Finally, don’t underestimate practicality. When you’re using unbreakable drinkware, you can focus on your guests rather than worrying about broken glass. That sense of ease changes the atmosphere completely—people relax, children can join in, and the gathering naturally becomes more enjoyable. We believe the best entertaining happens when beautiful design works effortlessly in the background, allowing connection and conversation to take centre stage.
With porter green now launching in Canada, what pieces would you recommend every host owns this summer, and what are your favourite unexpected ways to use them beyond serving cocktails and wine?
Modern entertaining is all about versatility, and we love designing products that can transition effortlessly from a casual picnic to a beautifully styled dinner party. If we were choosing a few essentials for every Canadian host this summer, it would be our unbreakable wine glasses, coupe glasses and tumblers. They’re pieces you’ll reach for time and time again, whether you’re hosting on the dock at the cottage, by the pool, on the boat or around the backyard table. Then of course, our highball is perfect for long mixed drinks or iced tea and our flutes are perfect for toasting every occasion!
Also, one of the things we love most about our collection is that it’s designed to do more than one job. Our wine glasses aren’t just for wine—they’re perfect for spritzes, desserts, yoghurt and granola at breakfast. Our coupe glasses are just as beautiful serving cocktails as they are desserts, olives or shared appetisers and our highball is even perfect for holding flowers for individual place settings.
And of course, because our drinkware is unbreakable and floats, it’s ideal for life by the water. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, spending weekends at the cottage or heading out on the boat, there’s no need to worry about broken glass—and if a glass ends up overboard, you simply fish it out. We believe the best products are the ones that are beautiful, practical and versatile enough to become part of everyday life, no matter where you’re entertaining.
Win! A $215 porter green Prize Pack!
One lucky Canadian winner will receive a $215 porter green prize pack of 100% unbreakable silicone drinkware! To enter, follow @portergreenlifestyle and @vitadailymedia on Instagram and follow the entry rules on our corresponding post. Contest opens July 17, 2026 and closes July 24, 2026. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding. Full contest rules/regulations here.
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