Sunday, November 28, 2010

Mix match fine dining set for the impoverished (kinda)


Image from Martha Stewart, Gold-edge eggcup and butter dish, Legle Limoges. "Constance" bread-and-butter plate (below eggcup), sugar bowl, and coffeepot, Bernardaud. "Illusion" teacup, saucer, and dessert plate in endive, Haviland. "Derby Panel Green" bread-and-butter plate (with knife), dinner plate, and vegetable dish (with flowers), Royal Crown Derby. "Olivia" tumbler, Juliska. "Fairfax" silverware, Gorham.


Many of us these days cannot afford the $400-500 price tag for a gorgeous dinnerware set.

I so want to have pretty plates too, but because I don't have affordability, I only can gaze and lust.

But I have been inspired to a different, yet as enchanting end!



Two gorgeous plates here, two fine bowls there and suddenly you have a mixy-matchy-but-still-an-expensive-set look that is cohesive!

Now let's see. I have my beloved white Heritage White by Johnson Bros set gathered through the years.


Image from Replacements


I've been on the constant search for a contrasting pattern in pinks or yellows to liven things up. Any suggestions?

I've also found this gorgeous photo below:


Image from Style Me Pretty


How sweet is this?

I think I'll go hunt for two pieces of this and two of that, just because two pieces of good china, I should be able to afford.


Oooh! I just found this image and had to share! I thought I'd leave you with this extremely striking dinner setting. I love the green tablecloth and the vibrant oranges!


Image via Rex and Regina


According to interior designer Martha Angus, the tablecloth is actually remnants of de Gournay wallpaper, draped over a classic Parsons table.

I have to get meself some of that verdant green tablecloth!

Update (a few days after preparing this blogpost):

Oh Hang On! Today I found in my forgotten stash of fabric this gorgeous verdant green silk fabric remnant. Not large enough for a tablecloth, it makes for a striking table runner! But I allowed myself an hour of play with my china, trying to decide on shape and pattern of the contrasting china I'm hunting for:


Sorry about the un-ironed fabric, this was just play after all!


Instead of a setting for tea after dinner, I tried preparing a setting for coffee instead, with one of my favourite black and white polkadot coffee sets. I maintained my Johnson Bros saucer underneath it all just to maintain the octagon shape.



I had another two patterns to try out... both were pretty!





I think of all the options available to me, I preferred the Royal Albert Serena above the others.



But what of just coffee and cake?



Or coffee and ice cream or apple and rhubarb crumble?



I had fun playing and know at least, I want a round contrasting plate for my setting. I also know I definitely want to source some pretty dark green fabric.

Do you have photos of your pretty fine china to share?

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