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“Set the table.” That phrase has a certain exact expectation, doesn’t it? The plate here, the napkin there, the silverware in just the right place. {Measured with a ruler in Victorian days!} All the plates matching. Despite our love of casual these days, antique china is making a comeback.
There is an art to entertaining that often makes us feel the need for formal elegance, but in a relaxed way. This is the beauty of our generation, we can love and use the same over the top beautiful porcelain dishes that our great-great- grandmothers loved, but we are not bound by the same rules they were!
I used the over-the-top gilt edged formal dinner plates, luxurious antique napkins and sterling mother of pearl flatware for this table setting, but toned it down for today with an antique French linen runner, and a simple garland of eucalyptus leaves down the center.
These days, we feel free to lay the table with pieces we love, which may, or may not mean they match.
I’m often surprised by the young brides and grooms who ask for antique porcelains and silverware from our shop FrenchGardenHouse. They want help in choosing some antique pieces to transform their tables from good to wow. Because while they happily BBQ and serve food in a casual setting most days, there are times that they want to dress up their table and party it up!
Happily mixing up your china makes it a more relaxed experience for guests. It’s a lot more welcoming when a table has a mix of several patterns, antique or not. And…bonus – you can splurge on two or four stunning plates that you love, and combine them with china you inherited. Mixing everything together for a larger table setting of 10 or 12.
Your table setting sets the tone for your evening {or afternoon if you are hosting a luncheon} and antique and vintage plates elevate every setting. For my intimate luncheon by the fire, I used the most ornate plates, but added a contemporary French patchwork cloth and contemporary Waterford champagne flutes.
At FrenchGardenHouse we believe in pulling out the good dishes and silver! Dining together should be f u n…and a delight to all the senses.
Wether you are having a formal dinner or an impromptu meal, using some of your antique plates or bowls will suit. You should have joy selecting plates for your well-set table. Your guests will love that you spent time curating your table, and they’ll think they are having an elevated experience. { which they are…they are with YOU.}
The antique and vintage tableware pieces we offer at FrenchGardenHouse in porcelain, crystal and silver will help your express your own unique style. It’s always a thrill to be able to find the most amazing linens, silver and porcelains to offer to you!
Your tables should tell your guests a little bit about you, what you love, what colors you adore and more.
Most of all, your table settings should say “welcome, let’s have some fun! I’m so happy you are here!” to your guests.
I hope you spend more time with people you love and leave the dinnerware to us at FrenchGardenHouse!
We have something that is sure to make your table happy. There are a lots of exciting “new” antique pieces that will capture your heart for your tables at home arriving on the daily in the shop.
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
Great site, you have so many beautiful and informative posts to share.
Thanks so much, Linda! It’s a pleasure to meet you here.
Whenever I visit… I always leave with a smile.
Such elegance with every scroll…
Happy Valentine’s Day to you my friend…
Nancy, you are so sweet! I so appreciate your friendship and kind comments. I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day too! I’ll be making dinner here at home,
and celebrating it Thursday.
Oh my, such lovely place settings, Lidy! I was ‘Ooooing’ and ‘Ahhhhing’ over each one. “This one is my favorite…scroll…oh, this one is…scroll…no, this one”…and repeat! I have to say what really caught my eye were those stunning Waterford Champagne Flutes and oh how I love those gold-rimmed blue goblets!
I love using and displaying my few antique pieces with my china and crystal. Thank you for always showing us such beauty and wonderful ideas for us to use!
Thank you so much friend. I love that you love using and displaying your beautiful things! Happy Valentine’s Day to you! xo
It makes me happy to hear that antique china is making a comeback. Especially nice to hear that newlyweds are wanting to acquire beautiful pieces with a history. Your china is so very exquisite. Love seeing your beautiful table settings!!
Thank you so much Shirley! I am excited too…young couples are not wanting a whole matching set, they just buy a few pieces here and there that they love. And it’s very charming when they mix it all together!
Y U M M Y! I agree their is nothing better than a meal on a well appointed table to let those you love know they’re special. Beautiful dishes and silverware is one of my weaknesses(and linen and flowers ) so I am a firm believer that you should use them. What a perfect time to write this post being valentine’s day is tomorrow! Great inspiration!
Thanks, Denise
Enjoy every single beautiful tablesetting you make, Denise. I agree…nothing better than to show a little love on the table. xo
Ohhhh…. I so love your beautiful posts, Lidy! They always make me smile!
That 1st setting is perfect for St. Patty’s Day! Thank you for sharing your beautiful antiques and lovely inspirations!
xoxo
Kathleen, thank you friend. It’s always a joy to have you join us here!! xo
Oh, I hope it is making a comeback! I’ve collected old Spode for over 50 years and my adult children care nothing for it. I do have great hopes for my 7 and 5 year old granddaughters, otherwise it will someday all go out of the family. It’s encouraging that your young brides and grooms are choosing antique china and silver now. Your shop is full of the most beautiful things!
I hope that your granddaughters will love your Spode, it’s such a classic! These days we are all setting our tables with dishes with history. Keeping my hopes alivethat those little girls will love it! Just set your tables for them when they are over with the dishes. Serve tea, lunch and dinner, add sweets. Hopefully that will tie so many sweet memories to those dishes that they will jump at the chance to have them!! It’s how I’m hoping my granddaughters will love my antique dishes . : )
xo Lidy
You have the most interesting posts. I love china. Although mom owned 12 place settings of Rosenthal she acquired while living in France, she often set her casual tables with every place setting a differing mix of beautiful china she’d collected while working our church’s thrift store. She was Martha before Martha was cool. I have all hers, mine & my mother in law’s china. I actually mix it up to tone down the formal feeling because most of our guests are intimidated by the lux of it. It’s a joy to use and encourages others to use theirs.
Thank you so much Pamela! How blessed you are to have the china from your Mom, mother in law, and your own. I bet setting special tables at your home is so beautiful and fun!