Choosing the table service is one of the most important decisions when setting up a home. Whether you are including it on your wedding registry before the wedding, want to replace the current one or need to restore it after a move, remember that your choice determines what you will use every day for many years. There are important aesthetic, economic, and practical factors to consider in this process, but the starting point is the set of dishes you already own.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating the Basics
Step 1. Consider the service you currently have
Is it important to you that the new one goes with the old dishes? If the answer is yes, you need to find something coordinated in terms of material, color or decoration. Unless you really hate the service you own right now, consider how you can keep using it and integrate it with the new one.
Step 2. Examine how you want to use the new pieces
Do you plan to use them outdoors regularly? In this case, you should look for less common but unbreakable materials, such as metal or laminate; if instead you want to show them off only in the formal dinners of the holidays, you can buy a service that matches the atmosphere of the occasion.
Step 3. Evaluate if you want full service or not
The tableware is typically sold in sets of five per cover (for formal occasions) or four-piece (for informal ones). Decide carefully if you want all plates to be matched this way, as most retailers offer "open stock" services, which means you can buy some items individually instead of complete sets. If you wish, you can mix and match different colors, textures, decorations and shapes.
Step 4. Decide if you want formal or informal service
It is probably not necessary to have a complete set for each of the equipment, although tradition dictates this; in theory, the tableware for informal occasions is robust and produced for everyday use, while the informal ones are more delicate, even if there is a large "gray area" between the two types. If you find a good decorative pattern, you can only buy one durable and elegant service.
Step 5. Choose the material based on strength, price and intended use
Formal services are made in both porcelain and bone china, while those for everyday are in ceramic or earthenware.
- Porcelain is the hardest ceramic; however, bone china has similar strength, as it is fortified with ox bone ash. Both materials are relatively expensive and often can't be put in the microwave or dishwasher, as it is difficult to find replacement parts if they break. Many manufacturers make porcelain or bone china services that are also safe for use in dishwashers, microwaves, and ovens.
- Informal dishes should be strong, dishwasher safe and in theory should resist in the oven up to 200-260 ° C. These products are usually made of porcelain stoneware or terracotta (majolica, Faenza ceramics, Delft, creamware) and are less expensive than porcelain or bone china; however, informal ones made from cheap porcelain and bone china are becoming quite common.
Part 2 of 3: Picking the Pieces You Like
Step 1. Choose the color scheme according to your needs and the decor of the room
All-white services are always very popular because you can put them in the dishwasher, they don't fade, they match most appliances, make food stand out, and they never go out of style. However, you can also choose colored crockery, coordinated with the dining room or kitchen; the dishes can be decorated or plain.
- If the dining room is decorated in bright colors, then the dishes of neutral tones match perfectly; Conversely, if the furnishings are fairly uniform, you can incorporate a brightly colored set as an aesthetic touch.
- When evaluating the decorated sets, also buy some solid color elements to avoid an excessive "baroque" effect. Remember that some decorated plates are made with decals or transfers; you should therefore wash them by hand to prevent them from peeling or fading. Dishes with gold or other metal profiles should not be placed in the microwave.
Step 2. Choose different shapes and textures, especially if you want to add special notes
Although round and smooth plates are the most common and versatile, they can also get you bored; your collection can greatly improve thanks to a series of complementary pieces that are extravagant in shape and texture. This is also the right opportunity to be daring and choose different materials or decorations than usual.
Visit websites and read Japanese equipment magazines for inspiration; you can see dishes with a wide range of shapes, colors, textures that are used regularly
Step 3. Measure the tables and space available to choose the right size services
Although there are approximate standard diameters for each piece, there is still a great deal of variability.
If you plan to use very large plates, measure the space inside the cabinets and the dishwasher; for example, a 30 cm plate many times does not fit into a normal 30 cm cabinet. In addition, some people find that large dishes lead to overeating, while others think empty space is very elegant
Step 4. Consider what you need
For each place setting you will need 2-3 plates, 2 cups, a small tureen with lid, 1 dessert plate and 1 tea / coffee set. It is not necessary that they are all matched together, you can take advantage of them to express your creativity and choose very eye-catching shapes, colors and textures.
Part 3 of 3: Proceed to Purchase
Step 1. Establish a budget
Crockery isn't necessarily expensive, but if you buy a lot of pieces, the total bill goes up quickly; however, it is one of those purchases for which the saying "who spends more, spends less" applies. If you are hoping to use the tableware every day for several years, buy something you like and consider saving on other things.
Step 2. Buy enough seats for the number of guests you can have for dinner
Typically, this means buying 12-person sets who are able to provide enough tableware for a medium-sized party. If you are in financial straits, buy a service that satisfies your family and consider expanding your collection later; in that case, make sure you buy a line of dishes that is not put out of production, otherwise you will have great difficulty completing the service.
Step 3. Do some thorough research regarding resellers
You might be surprised how many seemingly reputable homeware stores have very negative reviews; for example, it takes 6 months to process the order, some items broke in transit, the shopkeeper didn't accept a return, and so on. If you are compiling a wedding registry, be very cautious; some retailers have a bad reputation for not honoring purchases made from a list and, when the customer complains, they just repay anonymously to their credit card.
Advice
- Consider giving the children special dishes; the little ones love to have their own plates, cups and glasses. You can also choose products in lighter or shatterproof material.
- Browse fashion and recipe magazines for inspiration, especially if you're planning a dinner that doesn't include the classic, formal white service. You can observe how great chefs exploit dishes with very eye-catching colors and shapes; this may be the simplest and cheapest way to embellish your collection.
- The majolica and the ceramics of Faenza splinter with great ease; they are often hand painted or colored in very bright shades. Complete table sets made with these materials are quite rare due to their fragility; dishes and trays should be used with great care.
- If you can't spend a lot, choose dishes that you can accumulate over time. Some product lines remain in production for decades and are unlikely to be deleted from catalogs. Start buying a few pieces of these services at a time according to your possibilities.
