Tableware Buying Guide

Why is it we reserve our best tableware, specifically our beautiful china patterns and heirloom flatware, only for company?  We guard these treasured pieces as closely as a Wells Fargo truck.  For whatever our reasons, this doesn’t mean we can’t have beautiful tableware to use on a daily basis that makes us feel as though we’ve opened up the china cabinet.  Even the most predictable meals taste better when framed by lovely dinner place settings.  Have you considered mixing and matching round and square tableware pieces?  Or maybe an eclectic mix of fiesta salad plates with floral dinner plates and patterned desert plates is more your personality?  As we like to say, it’s all about your personality and ensuring your choices reflect who you are not to mention it’s the new trend in tableware.

Your everyday tableware should be durable enough to withstand daily visits to the dishwasher, the expected clinks and bumps dishes typically endure and the plates and other pieces should be large enough in size to accommodate your typical dishes.  If you’re generally one who prefers salads over, say, casseroles, naturally, your need for oversized tableware might not be significant.

If, however, you have a family with growing kids -who always come to the table with hearty appetites – you may wish to find a solid 10 ½” dinner plate with proportionate bowls and other utensils.

Table and Dinnerware is as varied in its materials as it is in colors and designs. Luckily, it’s now far easier to mix and match your dinnerware than in days past when you were limited by dinnerware sets that came with eight of everything.  It comes down to your specific needs – some people have a cabinet full of cup saucers that have never been used, but who could use more dessert and salad plates, while others always have unexpected company and have a need for more dinner plates.  Stoneware is likely the most durable of all tableware and is perfect for growing families and everyday use.  It’s a solid material, heavy and dense.  Other tableware sets can be found constructed of china, ceramic and a multitude of other materials, with or without scalloped edges, trims or designs.

If you’ve ever wondered how to space your dinnerware settings to ensure the comfort of your guests, ideally 26″ is ideal for each space and most often alleviates overcrowding.

Still love the kitschy feel that had all of us scrambling for those classic Blisscraft of Hollywood collectibles a few years ago?  You’ll love the colors Modern Furniture Warehouse offers.  Vivid oranges (our favorite), bright reds, airy blues and chocolate browns, not to mention the classic white, are all available in our current collection.  Simple, yet elegant and always affordable, be sure to check out the matching sugar and cream sets and very unique pitchers perfect for iced tea or a cool margarita after a long day at work