Stocking Your Cabinets: Pretty Plates, Dishes, and Serveware
by mswen - November 27, 2008
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I have a problem: I'm obsessed with dishware. I don't know what it is -- the shiny porcelain that clinks so lover-ly together; the sinfully pretty patterns; or the fact that they make me envision things like hosting fun cocktail parties and entertaining friends and family. Since I use every gosh-darn piece I own (read: I don't buy something and then simply display it or hide it away), the only issue with my fetish is that I simply don't have enough space to store it all. As a result, I've become the queen of buying multi-purpose items, things that can do double-duty and work with virtually any situation and decor. Because making sure you have an inventory full of just the right dishes and serveware is important for anyone, whether you're in a studio apartment or a house.
Stock up on colorful serveware, like these (incredibly inexpensive) platters from Fishs Eddy. They are a MUST have — you’ll use them to serve everything from appetizers to side dishes to entrees. The rainbow of colors will match with any decor and dishware, and are plain enough to be used anytime.
Buy them here
Gspotter aliciak is right: Fishs Eddy is chock full of clever, fun, and sturdy plates, serveware, and glasses.
This Medio bowl (available at Lekker Home Furnishings) is made from bamboo and comes in the most incredible shade of blue ev-ar.
Lekker Unique Home Furnishings
1317 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
This unique Boston store carries designer goodies that don’t take themselves too seriously — there’s nothing stuffy or cold here. And they’re one of the rare Boston boutiques that has a fully-stocked online shop, so you can drool over their fabulous inventory from anywhere.
This unique Boston store carries designer goodies that don’t take themselves too seriously — there’s nothing stuffy or cold here. And they’re one of the rare Boston boutiques that has a fully-stocked online shop, so you can drool over their fabulous inventory from anywhere.
Anthropologie’s porcelain Inside Out bowls are pretty and delicate, and the perfect companion to plain white dinnerware.
Anthropologie
799 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
If you’re even the least bit of a ceramics junkie, prepare to go gaga at Anthro. The boho prettiness is on mack daddy overload here, and you’ll throw all sense out the window and leave with armloads of mis-matched bits (good girl!).
If you’re even the least bit of a ceramics junkie, prepare to go gaga at Anthro. The boho prettiness is on mack daddy overload here, and you’ll throw all sense out the window and leave with armloads of mis-matched bits (good girl!).
To the utter joy of design junkies everywhere, fabric maven Amy Butler has expanded her line into the kitchen. Her beautiful Vintage Botanica dinnerware reflects her signature modern-yet-retro style.
*Tip: Forget the fine china*
Gone are the days when proper etiquette hinted that you needed two sets of dishware for a properly functioning household: an everyday set and another set for fine dining. In today’s more casual world, one set of dinnerware should suffice. Don’t believe me? Put it this way: when even gift-hungry brides are no longer registering for china, you know that you don’t need it, either.
Sure — if you have the room, the cash, and a penchant for throwing fancy schmancy dinner parties, by all means, shop around for a formal set along with your casual plates. But otherwise, focus on buying one set that you’ll use all the time.
Simple, durable, and incredibly budget-friendly, Ikea’s 365+ dinnerware makes perfect sense for those who want a stylish and functional table for less.
Ikea Stoughton
1 Ikea Way, Stoughton, MA 02072
Of course. Ikea. The patriarch of modern-yet-affordable goodies is THE place to hit for a huge, super-cool selection of dishes, big serving trays, cups…you name it. There’s lots of white (a good thing) to use as a base to start your collection or as accent pieces for what you’ve already got.
Of course. Ikea. The patriarch of modern-yet-affordable goodies is THE place to hit for a huge, super-cool selection of dishes, big serving trays, cups…you name it. There’s lots of white (a good thing) to use as a base to start your collection or as accent pieces for what you’ve already got.
Can anyone dispute the coolness of the Fusionware Flask Set (available at Vessel)? Serve up sake, wine, water, juice, milk…ANYthing poured from this baby is bound to taste fabulous.
Vessel Inc
125 Kingston St Fl 1, Boston, MA 02111
Vessel’s tableware is a well-picked selection of simple, modern, and durable pieces that will instantly elevate your place.
Vessel’s tableware is a well-picked selection of simple, modern, and durable pieces that will instantly elevate your place.
The Flirt Ruffle Compote from Farmhouse Wares comes in four different sizes and is adorably pretty and way useful: think salads, sides, fruit…
*Tip: Know your place settings*
Most dinnerware sets consist of four pieces: a dinner plate, a salad plate, a soup bowl and a teacup or mug. This is considered a place setting for one person.
You can either purchase dinnerware by the place setting (this is usually typical if you’re buying china and higher-end dinnerware) or as a set of multiple place settings (for example, a 16 piece set contains four four-piece place settings).
The general rule of thumb is to have at least 8 place settings on hand. Factors like the size of your dining area and how often you entertain obviously help determine if you’ll need to buy more or less.
The gorgeous blue color and square shape of this sengWare Chic Square dinnerware set at Target is totally chic, and makes a statement without being too trendy.
Target Stores
180 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Don’t overlook Target’s chain store rep for cool, hip dishware. They’ve got it, and a lot of it, and at affordable prices. (Hint: any store that offers a bridal registry, like Target does, will always have an excellent selection of anything kitchen-related. Dishware included.) Make sure to check out their great selection of serveware, too.
Don’t overlook Target’s chain store rep for cool, hip dishware. They’ve got it, and a lot of it, and at affordable prices. (Hint: any store that offers a bridal registry, like Target does, will always have an excellent selection of anything kitchen-related. Dishware included.) Make sure to check out their great selection of serveware, too.
Basic white with an unconventional twist: these Comma plates (at CB2) are a perfect, stylish way to serve up little bites or large entrees.
Serveware by Lorena Barrezueta might be the most genius ever. Modeled after alumninum takeout trays, these porcelain beauties are not only durable and colorful, but total conversation starters, too.
*Tip: Mix and match*
As in all other aspects of home decor, matchy-matchy is so yesterday. And this is actually a good thing.
Think about it: if you break a plate, who wants to stress out trying to find a new one to replace it? (Never mind that most manufacturers don’t even sell single pieces, so you’d be forced to buy an entire set.) And you can always buy additional pieces in complimentary colors or patterns to mix it up for the holidays or other occassions, and you won’t be bummed if you fall in love with a big antique soup tureen you find at the Brimfield Flea Market.
Brooklyn artist Sarah Cihat designs adorable luncheon plates with kitschy silhouettes that scream “super freakin’ cool”. Match these up with plain white plates and, voila — you’ve added a layer of fun to your table.
You may be surprised to know that this ultra-modern looking Heller dinnerware set (at Design Within Reach) is actually a real classic — its design dates back to 1964. The all-purpose white will mix it and match it with virtually anything, and it’s stackable, too — making it totally compatible with tight storage space.
Design Within Reach
519 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
DWR is stocked full of modern design at its finest, and their kitchen goods are no exception. Shop here for smart, efficient, yet gorgeous serveware and dishware that’ll last you years and make all your friends jealous.
DWR is stocked full of modern design at its finest, and their kitchen goods are no exception. Shop here for smart, efficient, yet gorgeous serveware and dishware that’ll last you years and make all your friends jealous.
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It was a hard decision, I loved some funky bubble ones from Cb2.com, but I went with white simple modern ones from Crate and Barrel! This guide was so inspiring and helpful!
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astronaut plates are cool!
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mswen delivers again! This my friend, so so much fun… seriously, like my own personal decorator, friend, and design show all in one… love love love this guide… Will let you know which I pick!
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