In this post: Do you love to collect antique dishes? If you have unmatched pieces of vintage china, mix them in a beautiful table that’s both casual and elegant.⇒
A table setting has the power to take you back in time.
Many of my tablescapes have specific themes, often seasonal or following a holiday concept. But every now and then you just want to set the prettiest table you can with your very favorite pieces, just to make you smile… 🙂
If you’ve been reading my blog for even a short while you know I love to collect and mix vintage china and so the question I’m most often asked is how to set a beautiful table with vintage china. The answer, in short…
is any way that makes your heart sing!
When combining patterns, I typically work with a white backdrop, then highlight with gold and/or silver, clear crystal and then mix away.
I’m partial to pinks and lilacs, so most of my china is in the same color feeling. I think as long as you stick with similar tones you can really take some liberties when putting unmatched things together.
I definitely pay attention to which pieces are placed next to each other and I tend to put bolder florals next to simple ones to aim for balance.
When my plate stack is complex, I keep my napkins clean and pure.
I’m a huge fan of white embroidered linen (it’s one of The 6 Defining Style Elements I Use In Every Room) and because I was going for sheer pretty in this table setting, I chose these exquisite crystal napkin rings that are among my faves.
Once my china is selected and the elements around it are neutral and elegant, I next work out my florals.
For this table, I used vintage china pitchers to continue the theme, then highlighted the pattern colors with purple stock and pale green mini hydrangeas.
As I said at the beginning of this post, the goal for this table was to make me smile and these sweet little demi tasse cups do just that.
They are among the loveliest things I’ve ever spotted in the dark recesses of a dusty antique market, in this case, in Paris.
No joke… my heart flutters every time I look at them!
I know you’ve seen these goblets before because I use them quite often, but it bears mentioning that the gorgeous glen plaid crystal pattern does a beautiful job of bouncing the abundant light around the room, adding to the charm of the tablescape.
If there’s one thing a table set with vintage china needs it’s to be crowned with an antique crystal chandelier. I found this one at a local market and then spent a good bit of time bringing it back to life by polishing up the brass and rewiring the crystals, many of which were missing.
(You can read about that project in: Reviving an Antique Chandelier.)
The underpinning for the whole tableau is actually a laundered white scarf with lace trim that I’ve taken to using on my table more than my neck.
Another favorite find from an antique market are these stunning silver candlesticks that I found in a London market, although the seller told me they originated in Prague.
The smoky crystal bobeches are new and are from a lovely boutique in Mougins, France.
The varied places that these pieces are from are part of what makes me smile so much when I look at this table, because each item represents a wonderful memory.
The dinner plate in the stack above with the delicate floral border is a Limoges pattern than was passed down through our family. It is one of the few pieces left from the set I broke when I fell down the stairs
(I’ve told the story of that mishap in: Mixing Old and New in a Seasonal Tablescape.)
Ultimately, however, the one thing at this table that most makes me smile is the brilliant sunshine gracing the table and dappling the flowers!
And I don’t even need to go back in time to capture it.
Vintage China Source List
To shop the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
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Gorgeous Lory!! I love the Glen Plaid too:) It is romantic, beautiful and so elegant…thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Tina! I’ve always liked to mix English and French Country together, as to me they are quite similar… 🙂
Your tablescape is gorgeous. I love all the China. I have a question I hope you can answer for me. I have noticed in a lot of the bloggers post the forks are now on the right of the plate. When did this become acceptable? My Mother, and High School , Home Economic Teacher, would roll over in their graves if they saw this on a table.
I’ve been asked this before and I can’t speak for others, but will answer for myself. For me, setting a table is about beauty and creativity and if I allow myself to be shackled by rigid constraints, I won’t be able to create something unique and fresh. I am a trained artist and I’ve always been taught to think outside the box, so I apply that to all my creative endeavors. The simple fact is, the table looks better with the flatware on one side and the napkin cluster on the other. It’s also more fair for left handed people… 😉 Life is short. Set your table the way it makes your heart sing!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Absolutely beautiful. Love how you put this together.
Thanks, Mary!
Lory, Your photography is exquisite! The flowers are gorgeous as is the china and those amazing napkin rings.
You should publish a book since everything you do is beautiful.
Wow, thanks so much, Bonnie! I actually had thought of doing a book before I started blogging and that’s what led to the blog!! But if a publisher wanted to contact me… I’d be delighted… 😉
Lory, this is such a stunning table. You brought some gorgeous old and precious items back to life! I love that! The china and crystal play so so beautifully together! And little bling is over the top! What a beautiful post!
Thanks so much, Yvonne! I’m such a girl… I always need my bling… 😉
Lory, your table is just beautiful! Just love your vintage china! And those flowers are absolutely gorgeous! I always enjoy setting a nice table for our guests! It’s almost a lost art these days!
I really enjoy your posts!
Thanks, again, Lory!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Mary-Ann! I can’t tell you what it means to me when someone takes the time to tell me they enjoy my posts… 🙂 It sure makes the work easier and more pleasant!! Thanks for visiting!
Exquisite in every way, Lory!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Bobbi!!
What a beautiful table! I’m curious – do you create your table settings for meals or are they just for display/posting? Most of the meals I serve don’t warrant as much china and crystal as I would like to use. Also, with so much decoration on the table, where does the food to be served go on the table? I’d rather not have to keep getting up from the table in order to serve the food.
Thank you Judith! Actually, my blog got started because I used to post my actual table settings on Facebook and everyone kept telling me I should “do something” with them. That something became the blog. So yes, many, if not most, of my table settings are for real events, but now that I post more often, sometimes they are set just for a photo shoot.
I do always set a full table like this when hosting a dinner, holiday or party. I always serve buffet style because I don’t really love to have platters sitting on the table anyway, so the guests usually serve themselves. For a more formal event, I would probably have servers, although I’m not often that formal. In fact, while I make a huge deal about setting things up before guests arrive, I’m actually an extremely casual host once the party gets going… 🙂
Like you, I keep tables set in my dining room and in my breakfast according to the season. I’ve done this for years and years because, like you, it makes me happy. I love using the passed down silver, etc., because I handle and use the things of people I loved who are no longer with us.
My mother gave me her silver when she downsized to a retirement home and loved seeing me use it before she passed away. When I use a platter or china set belonging to a long gone grandmother it brings back wonderful memories and pays tribute to their lives. I’m all about legacy, so this is my way of honoring theirs.
I can tell that you are honoring your loved ones in using their loved pieces as well. It’s our way of “spending time” with them and keeping them in our lives.
Blessings,
Teresa
I can understand how it would make you smile, as I smiled too, when viewsing this lovely setting! What beautiful china…from PARIS!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Ann, for that lovely comment… 🙂
Such a lovely table! I used to use bobeches but got away from them. Your tablescapes have put me in mind of using them again. One question, Lory: is the salad plate a variation of the Old Country Roses pattern? It’s so pretty and those roses look familiar. I, too, like the buffet style serving. It doesn’t clutter up the table and also keeps spills off the tablecloth!
Thank you so much, Martha! Sorry for the delayed reply, but my kitchen is under construction and it took me a bit to find the plates. I wanted to give you an accurate reply… 🙂 So yes, I have 3 different plates that are variations on Old Country Rose. The one in the photo is Rose Cameo Pink. I also have Peach Damask and Dusky Pink Lace. I love to mix them up on a table, as you can see from the post. Thanks again for your lovely comment!!
Beautiful table. I love the glen plaid goblets! I’ve collected the tall water glasses (best on my budget) but hope to gradually add goblets. And I totally agree with napkins on the left (their own spotlight) and silverware on the right (happy company).
I get to set a table for 10 every Sunday for Family Dinner. I usually can barely wait to start the next table Monday morning as I put away the clean from the day before.
Thank you and what a lovely custom to have a weekly family dinner! I don’t blame you for getting excited for the next table… 🙂
Love the Setup, Thanks for sharing!!
Lory your designs are so beautiful!!! I love every picture you presented! Your work is such an inspiration to me!! Thank you!!
Lory,
What a stunning tabletop you have arranged! Everything is perfect, I would be happy guest at your table!
Lori, your tablescapes are stunning!! Love all your china, flatware, table linens and flowers. Everything is so lovely. I would so enjoy sitting at that table, just admiring everything,
Thank you for such a lovely comment!!
A lovely site and very helpful advice. I love helping people find what they need to set a beautiful table.
Thank you!! I agree about setting beautiful tables… 🙂
Absolutely stunning! What a nice change of pace from all the early Christmas. I also collect antique porcelain and think I need to make more of an effort to mix what I have. Thanks for the inspiration.
I truly enjoy your tablescapes and so glad someone asked about the silverware because I am always unsettled about where the napkin can go with a ring on it. I’ve put napkins in the goblets but that is silly since we usually want to fill them before sitting down. Good to know!!
Thanks! Yes, I always break the rules in terms of what goes where. I do what looks best to me, regardless of the rules… 😉
Lovely settings Lory! I have a lot of (as in a hutch full!) antique Haviland china collected decades ago and need to start using it. What a coincidence, I have this silverware pattern, First Love! I noticed it in your other recent post and couldn’t help smiling. I polished a few place settings for Christmas and need to use it more. I’ve found that it stay relatively untarnished stored in. A zipped plastic b at. Enjoy your creativity and borrow lots of your ideas! Happy new year
How lovely to hear! It’s so wonderful to use our beautiful things!! I, too, noticed that when used pretty often, I never need to polish the silver… 🙂