Designer Martha Reeves, whose china is photographed here, grew up loving her collection. "When I would visit my grandmother, we'd set the table with her china and silver for fun. That was how she'd entertain me," she laughs.
Photo: Photo: Lauren Rubinstein
Whether you have a matching set of china or an assortment of inherited patterns, a little creativity can make a formal setting fun or vice versa. Here, expert hostesses reveal tips for entertaining with any style of tableware, from classic gold-trimmed white teacups to wooden chargers.
1. Stockpile simple white dinner plates. "A bone white plate with a simple gold or silver trim works with anything. You can mix it with a formal patterned accent plate or something casual," says bridal consultant Janice Bowman of Bromberg's in Birmingham. "Most couples don't want to be stuck with one formal look."
2. Show off inherited pieces without feeling like a fuddy-duddy. "Lots of people come in with a dinner plate they've inherited from their grandmother," says Bowman. "Mixed with metallic-edged
contemporary lines, tortoise, or even pottery, the old patterns can be fresh again."
Designer Martha Reeves is on the hunt for hot-pink chargers to go with her great-grandmother's dainty floral china. "All is
forgiven these days," she says. "You've just got to be clever with what you've got and use it."
3. Add personality by breaking the rules. "I don't even have a 'set' of china," says designer Jackye Lanham. Her tables are a variety of antique and new, casual and formal. "I love the look of pottery chargers with antique creamware dinner plates. If you keep things in a neutral palette, it's easy to mix."
According to author and hostess Sally Quinn, fussy patterns may coordinate just as well. "I sometimes use one pattern for the first course, one for second, and yet another for dessert."
4. If you don't have it, rent it. "I have enough china for 24," says Quinn. "So if I have a really big dinner party, I'll just rent plain white china with a gold border from the caterer -- that's perfectly appropriate and it doesn't cost a lot."
RESOURCES: Bromberg's, 205/871-3276, www.brombergs.com. Martha Reeves, Newman Reeves Designs, 404/402-9746, www.newmanreevesdesigns.com. Silver Anniversary teacups by Haviland, Replacements, Ltd., 800/737-5223, www.replacements.com; Red Aves saucer by Royal Crown Derby, 011-44-133-271-2800, www.royal-crown-derby.co.uk. Jackye Lanham, Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, 404/364-0472.
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