There's more to a place setting than a pattern. Should you choose bone china or stoneware? What's the difference between a charger plate and accent plate? And how do you care for your ware, anyway? So before you pick out a pattern, let's talk everything you need to know to build a truly remarkable dinnerware collection.
Today, both fine china and everyday dinnerware have a place at the table. Materials may vary, but how you use them is not set in stone. Feel free to cross the line – serve a family-style pasta in porcelain or a sizzling steak on bold earthenware. It's simply a matter of taste!
Bone china:
Lightweight, lustrous and the strongest of china materials. A double-fired blend of porcelain and bone ash, bone china boasts a slightly translucent milky-white tone.
Porcelain:
High firing temperatures give this opulent favorite durability and a glowing, non-porous surface. Along with bone china, it's sometimes crafted with gold or platinum rings that accent its mirror-like sheen.
Ironstone:
This highly durable stoneware was developed as an alternative to porcelain. While sharing many hard-wearing characteristics, ironstone has a more casual finish that's perfect for everyday dining.
Stoneware:
Hardy, impermeable and perfect for everyday use. This ceramic is characterized by its solid heft, which makes it incredibly hard-wearing. In earthy tones, it's often glazed for long-lasting sheen.
Earthenware:
One of the oldest industrial materials in the world, this natural ceramic is still one of the most popular. A great value for everyday meals, earthenware has a hefty weight and a homespun feel.
Places, please! Nothing makes it easier to set the table than a packaged 4- or 5-piece place setting. With these you'll get a useful combination of some of the following items.
Dinner Plate:
Generously sized, the dinner plate is the meat and potatoes of the table setting. It's perfect for main courses at any meal, from a formal brunch to a weeknight supper.
Salad Plate:
Anywhere from 4 to 8 inches in diameter, the salad plate is great for appetizers, crudité and – you guessed it – salads. It does double-duty as a terrific dessert plate, and is a handy size for casual breakfasts.
Bread & Butter Plate:
Slightly smaller than the salad plate, this plate is traditionally reserved for bread and rolls. Also great for drizzling olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping bread.
Soup/Cereal Bowl:
Like a jack-of-all-trades, the soup/cereal bowl (also called an all-purpose bowl) is a go-to choice for hearty chili, homemade ice cream, rice, oatmeal, fresh fruit, salad – anything you can think of.
Teacup & Saucer:
Traditionally round in shape with an elegant handle, the teacup fits snugly in the recessed center of its coordinating saucer for a drip-free tea or coffee service.
When setting the scene for formal occasions or holiday dinners, you never want to come up short. Transform a standard table setting into a truly elegant presentation with these practical additional pieces. Versatile and beautiful, you'll probably end up using them every day!
Rim Soup Bowl:
This popular dish is crafted with a wide rim, making it perfect for main courses like pasta, stew or a sauce-drenched chop like Osso Buco.
Charger Plate:
Slightly larger than a dinner plate, the charger is stacked underneath a place setting for added pop. Its peek-a-boo rim lends tasteful contrast to your dinnerware pattern.
Accent Plate:
True to its name, the accent plate stands out. Featuring subtle to dramatic variations in color or pattern, it beautifully serves up sides or small cakes.
Mug:
With a more generous capacity than a teacup and an easy-grip handle, the mug is instant warm beverage satisfaction. Use it from morning to evening for coffee, cocoa, hot toddies – even soup!
Platters matter. From fruit bowls and pickle dishes to turkey plates and teapots, serveware makes entertaining easier – and in a colorful array of shapes and sizes, a little more elegant to boot.
Platter:
Oval, round, embellished or embossed, a good platter is needed at every feast. Consider size, material and other features – like handles – that'll serve your purposes best.
Vegetable Bowl:
A classic piece for warm vegetables, mashed potatoes or meaty main-course stews, this dish often comes with a lid or an elegant base for heat retention and easy serving.
Serving Bowl:
Varying in size, the serving bowl is an all-purpose dish for family-style salads, rice, couscous – even snacks like popcorn or fresh fruit for display.
Gravy Boat & Stand:
Graceful and easy to pour, the aptly named gravy boat is handy for sauces both savory and sweet. Its accompanying stand catches drips and helps make any occasion look a little more formal.
Pickle/Relish Dish:
This long, narrow dish serves cold condiments and snacks at a buffet table. It's also a useful piece for presenting a fetching assortment of mini appetizers.
Creamer:
A teatime tradition, the creamer lends richness to any meal. When not in use, it makes a lovely permanent fixture for the table.
Covered Sugar Bowl:
Put a lid on it! Easily identifiable by shape, the covered sugar bowl is a charming home accessory and an indispensable part of coffee breaks and everyday breakfasts.
Teapot:
The classic teapot has a beautiful stout shape that's perfect for steeping. Cherished for ages in both the East and West, it's an entertaining essential.
Coffeepot:
Taller than a teapot, this carafe is a coffee lover's must. Its large capacity and heat-retaining qualities let you enjoy that third cup of joe in style.
Read the label: Always check beforehand whether an item is dishwasher, microwave or oven safe. A good rule of thumb – any piece with metal accents (such as gold or platinum) is not microwave safe.
Clean with care: Avoid soaking earthenware or hand-painted dinnerware. Instead, use gentle detergent and fine-bristled brushes to ensure long-lasting vibrance.
Avoid extreme temperature changes: Even the strongest materials don't adjust well to drastic changes in temperature. To resist cracking or breakage, always let hot dishes cool before introducing to the cold, and vice-versa.
