Fine China: Forever a Perfect Wedding Gift

A beautiful set of china has the ability to make even ordinary meals just a little bit more exciting. That might be the reason that china has remained one of the most popular gifts to give at weddings. Whether you're buying china for a couple that's just moving out, or people who've lived by themselves for a while, chine makes a perfect present. Every couple should have a new, high quality set for their new life together.

Fortunately, there's a great dinnerware pattern to fit the taste of any couple. You can buy complete sets, or a piece at a time through your local retailer or an online store. Be sure to shop around, and ask yourself a few questions before picking up this kind of gift, however.

Your first step is to think about the taste of the couple you're buying for. Do they appreciate classic patterns, or is a modern look more their style? Traditional patterns have a lasting appeal, because they never fall out of fashion. Vintage china goes well with pieces that have been produced recently, and still has the same natural, organic, and wildlife motifs.

Another popular style are Oriental designs. Some, like blue willow, have been produced for centuries, and are still passed down through families. Many families even add new accessories in the same motif that are nearly indistinguishable from older pieces. If you know the couple loves traditional looks, a classic china set could be a smart choice.

Not everyone likes the traditional when it comes to their dinnerware, however. There's something to be said for eating from a set of plates and other tableware that are different from everyone else's. Fortunately for these people, there are a lot of options on the market. Innovative designs and shapes are becoming much more popular, and while they were once relegated to specialty retailers, they're getting a lot more accessible.

In fact, mixing patterns has gotten a lot more popular. It allows people to create an interesting texture and look to their table. You can even mix classic and formal styles, delicate with bold, and even add in an antique or two. This can be one way to take advantage of unique vintage pieces that are no longer part of a set. Just remember to take the couple's taste and lifestyle into account when you buy.

Tags: blue willow, china, china set, dinnerware, Fine China, Tableware, wedding gift, weddings

Current Trends in Tableware and Fine China

Events these days range from the formal to the absurd, and tableware trends match that variety. That means that there's a new style out there somewhere that'll work for the way you serve. Tableware trends are going in two basic directions: a resurgence of elegance and a modern, sleek, colorful look.

Parties for young business people and twenty-somethings tend to feature lots of flashy tableware, which you can buy for your home. Consider oversize martini glasses or even acrylic versions that glow from the stem, illuminating your drink with color. If you love a modern look, but aren't into something this unusual, consider a more traditional tableware set, but in unusual shapes.

Rectangular and square porcelain plates and bowls, influenced by Asian styles, have been a big hit. Soft colors, drawn from this culture, like black, celadon green, and mustard, are striking and make food look delicious. Other modern styles include high tech looks, like glass plates that are completely clear. This style includes sleek, clean design, and may be made from glass, stainless steel, and similar materials. The basic idea is function over form, and no frills at all.

Of course, there are organic looking tableware lines following the modernist trend, too. Look for fused glass tableware in unusual colors and shapes, like cobalt, amber, forest and pewter. One glassmaker designed deep purple spiral charger plates for a restaurant.

Traditional tableware is popular, too, but there's usually a twist to make it special. Flashy is out, and old money looks are in. For instance, silver flatware, despite its high maintenance, commands an elegance that conventional steel can't manage. Austrian crystal is another popular trend, as are white plates with colored rims. You don't have to be completely traditional, though. Mixing up rim colors at the table can make your affair a little more casual, and avoid the stuffy feeling that might result from very traditional dinnerware.

White with a little bit of something different is extremely popular when it comes to fine dinnerware. Consider a silver or gold edge with matching glassware and flatware, but avoid bright, shiny metallics. Antiqued finishes are a lot more popular.

Mixing and matching is in, too. You can alternate classic looks with something a little bolder, which can provide interest. Place a conventional white plate on top of something a little more unusual to create more visual tension in your layout. Unusual chargers are very popular, like hammered aluminum and rattan.

Remember not to overdo things, however. An overly busy table won't work for you - keep things appropriate and clean looking, even if you're going for something striking. It's easy to get caught up in available trends without taking a look at the whole table. Making time to do so will help you get a look that will really succeed.

Tags: dinnerware, Fine China, porcelain plates, Tableware

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