What's the Dish?
By Barbara Carubio
Let’s all pause for a moment of silence, for the most underrated portion of an open house or of a house presentation in general:
aka
The Dishware
How many times have we taken the dining table for granted? We just wanted to make sure about the cookies. We just put on some plates or completely abandon the idea altogether.We all know that happy tummies are happy people, right?So, how come we take a shortcut when it comes to table setup?
1. Play With Texture
There is beauty in all things contrary.The sheen of the marbled wood, together with the glossy glass bowl and the matte of a platter equals perfection. Toss the crisp tablecloth to finish the look of a casual yet together look. Maybe insert a little drama with a dainty pot that holds the salt.The technique here is to make sure they are all in the same hue. Basic black and white with a touch of brown just spells Boho Chic!
Sticking to the basics and a good color combo goes a long way. No need for name plate placers or napkin holders and no Brady’s here either! You do not need to buy the entire catalog of Pottery Barn, go matchy-matchy and stress yourself searching for that exact same cake plate. Here is some groundwork on how to mix it up and still make your home (or the home you’re selling) give off that warm yet elegant vibe, no matter what dinnerware is available.Here are our top 3 how to’s.
2. Pick Pastel
Here’s the thing, we always would have the urge to go full on Rainbow mode.And so to refrain from looking like a unicorn magically trot around the table, stick to plain, lighter shades. Choose one with a design and leave the rest as plain as is and stack them.Fine dining, say what?
3. Don't Stick To One
Do you remember, whenever you buy a boxed set of dinnerware, it always has this 2 pairs of everything:
2 plates
2 medium ones
2 small ones
2 bowls
2 cups
The average dinner party is always for 3 to 4 couples; 6 to 8 people that you will host. And that’s why couples always register for at least 6 plates, 6 pairs of everything. Now, what to do with all those lonely twos? Yes, that is right! Mix them together with another set and create a different look instantly! Don’t hold back, use two or three sets! Plus, no dishware is left unused and they won’t feel lonely being left in the cupboard. The trick is to make sure they are at least color coordinated. Whether they are painted with design or not, consistency of color is key. So go ahead, experiment! dust off those older plates you haven’t used in a while and create an unexpected plate and color combo. Do not worry about the different shapes too. That is part of its charm. Who knows, you might get an idea as to what theme your dinner would be. Mexican, anyone? Tequila, yes please!
Bonus Tip
Do not forget about the glassware. They are important too. If you lack some pizzazz on your plate play, the glassware can pick up the pieces. Coasters and trays are a cool addition too! It is a mood setter especially if you start with drinks.Find some things you already own before purchasing. Sometimes the true gems are hidden inside a couple of forgotten boxes, given by grandma. We hope you had fun reading!
