Fashion plates

Blue & white Unlike the heavy Dutch Delft tableware of yesteryear, today’s blue and white pieces are likely to be inspired by Japanese ceramicists, such as Kawase Shinobu, who use translucent glazes and delicate patterns. Inspiration also comes from Islamic tiles and the intricate patterns found in mosques around the world. Each piece feels handcrafted – a sensual pleasure in a world where most things are mass-produced.

Mix & match Collecting plates and dishes with prints and pictorial images can be a fun pastime and another way to show your individuality. If you don’t find the whole set, don’t worry – it will be fun for your guests to compare mismatched plates. Whether it’s an ornate eight-piece setting you’re after or a single piece with a simple motif, shopping for vintage objects can be as rewarding as a trip to a modern homewares store. When setting the table, tie mismatched pieces together with a common thread, such as a common colour, or choose a plain cloth as a background against which each piece can shine.

Ethnic elegance In New Zealand we are blessed with a diverse mix of ethnic influences when it comes to food and homewares. From African place mats to Balinese wooden bowls, banana leaves and flax baskets, the interesting textures and natural tones can be combined to create exotic table settings. Handmade and often inexpensive, they provide an antidote to all that is mass-produced.

 

Modern opulence Gold, silver and pewter add glamour and grandeur to a table setting. The key to keeping it modern, however, is to keep it refined and understated. The Adagio collection from Armani Casa (shown here) typifies the fashion designer’s approach to modern contemporary style. Drawing inspiration from the elegant patterns of the art deco period, the graphic geometry of the edging contrasts with the white fine china. Keep the mood light by setting the table with clear glass or crystal and raw linen napkins.

Fabulous florals Think of floral tableware and you may find yourself having flashbacks of high tea with Grandma. Happily, this style has become cool again. Pretty, feminine plates, embossed or painted with dainty cherry blossoms or toile designs, evoke a vintage feel – from an era when we had more time for entertaining and being with friends. Set the scene with white-bone-handled knives and forks, dainty napkins and garden flowers in a vase.

Bold black One of the hottest trends in tableware right now is black. Go all out with strong, sensuous shapes to create a striking and elegant setting. Experiment with black-on-black place mats in interesting textures or shapes, or put crockery on a bold-coloured contrasting tablecloth so each item stands out. To add interest, drop in bright splashes of colour with serving dishes or sculptural flowers as a centrepiece.

 

Glass acts Sparkling glass and crystal lends elegance to any table. Whether your glassware is plain, cut or decorated with patterns, it is an integral part of your setting. Vary heights and mix colours and eras, from antique to modern, to add interest. If you and your guests want to appreciate the colour of wine to the full, use clear glass. Position your glasses to the right of the plate, above the knife, in decreasing order of size from glasses for water, wine and dessert wine.

Get in line For a vibrant and colourful setting, stripes are the way to go. Draw inspiration from the 1960s, when the trend for tableware moved from the curvaceous forms of the 50s to simple geometric and cylindrical shapes. Don’t be afraid to mix wide with narrow, bold with subtle – it adds an unpredictable element. Pick out your favourite colour in the stripe and use it in solid-hued table accessories, such as napkins, to pull the look together. Another simple yet effective look is to enhance a plain dinner set with a racy striped runner down the middle of the table.

A cut above Open most people’s cutlery drawers and you can guarantee they’ll have a hodgepodge of knives, forks and spoons in silver, Lucite or stainless steel. Don’t throw it out just because it doesn’t match; as with dinnerware, interesting cutlery will enhance your dining table.

Story: Amanda Linnell Photographs: Kieran Scott Stylist: Victoria Bell