Dinnerware
For everyday and/or formal dining
Flatware
For everyday and/or formal dining
Drinkware
Table Linens/Decorations
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TABLETOP SHOPPING TIPS
Whether your tableware necessities fall in the category of fancy and frequent entertaining,
shabby chic intimate gatherings, cozy country family dining, or somewhere in between, you
will need dining goods. Plates, knives, forks, spoons, glasses, platters, placemats, candle
holders and more – some are necessities, some are just for fun, and most can be both at once.
In a crowded marketplace, you’ll have plentiful and varied choices in a full range of prices.
So gain some insight from these tips, consider your needs and budget, and enjoy shopping.
Your shopping list will vary based on whether you are updating, accessorizing, or starting from
scratch. Use the checklists on the left to figure out exactly what you need, either for stocking
a new household or filling in some gaps.
Here’s a rundown of materials, in terms of price, durability, and traditional use, as well as what
is considered essential for most households.
There are four major material categories of dinnerware. Starting from the strongest and priciest
and going down, these are:
bone china,
porcelain,
stoneware, and
earthenware.
Bone china dinnerware,
which is manufactured with bone ash, is impressively durable and has a
beautiful translucent glow to it. Traditionally reserved for special occasions as
fine
china dinnerware, it is strong enough to stand up to frequent use. More
details on purchasing fine china can be found at the
China Buying Guide on
BuildersSquare.com.
Porcelain dinnerware
is fine, lightweight, and also translucent. Porcelain, like bone china,
can be saved for formal use or fit in comfortably for everyday living.
Both stoneware and earthenware are traditional
casual dinnerware choices. Fired at a lower
temperature than porcelain, stoneware is solid, durable, and often comes in
attractive earth tones with texture. Earthenware is fired at the lowest temperature and
is usually least expensive. Thicker than bone china or porcelain, earthenware is still
durable enough for most households and tends to come in a wide assortment of colors and
patterns. These are great choices for mixing and matching, and trying out different or
trendy looks and shapes.
The Essentials: For
dinnerware sets,
your key purchases will be from eight to twelve place
settings. Typically each setting will include a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and either
a mug or a cup and saucer. Choose the material that suits your taste and budget for a
flexible everyday dinnerware set.
Save for Later: Most extras, such as serving bowls and platters, can be added
gradually as needed. Also, second, third, or more dinnerware sets as the mood strikes
you or as your budget allows.
Just for Fun: If you purchase matching place settings, try jazzing up your table
with contrasting serving platters, bowls, extra mugs, or more. Try different patterns,
colors, tones, textures, or shapes.
Square dinnerware
pieces add a unique touch to a table.
Or add a whole extra dinnerware set for special use, such as
Christmas dinnerware with
holiday decorations.
Stainless steel is the most common choice of material for flatware. There are different qualities of
stainless steel flatware,
with 18/10 and 18/8 being top of the line choices. 18/0 flatware
doesn’t have the same shine and luster as the higher end options, but is less expensive.
Stainless steel doesn’t rust or tarnish, is dishwasher-safe, and is very durable.
(Note: Stainless steel is an alloy, or combination, of metals, which includes steel, chromium and nickel.
It comes in choices of 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0. In these designations, the first number refers to the
percentage of chromium in the metal alloy. The second number refers to the amount of nickel. For
example, 18/10 means that there is 18% chromium and 10% nickel in the steel alloy.)
Sterling silver flatware
is beautiful and very expensive. A set is usually considered a family heirloom.
It must be treated with care, with hand washing, polishing, and proper storage, usually in a
flatware chest, a must.
The Essentials: Stainless steel place settings of eight to twelve, coordinated with your number of
dinnerware settings, will provide you with your basic flatware necessities. Settings will generally
have four to five pieces, including place knife, place fork, salad fork, tablespoon/place spoon and
teaspoon/dessert spoon. A hostess serving set (a large spoon and fork) is also useful and flexible.
Save for Later: Ladles, cake servers, salad servers, and more can be added based on your
needs as your budget permits.
Just for Fun: If you like sterling silver, but can’t invest in a full set, buy some accessory pieces just
for the beauty of it, even if it’s just a sugar spoon or two.
Note: A complete Flatware Buying Guide can be found at BuildersSquare.com.
Your choices in drinkware generally fall into the areas of machine-made glassware,
handblown glassware, and crystal glassware.
Like sterling silver for flatware, crystal is the beautiful, precious, expensive, and higher
maintenance choice. The difference between glass and crystal is that glass is formed by
blending sand with other materials, while crystal drinkware is formed by blending crystal
with those materials. Some crystal contains lead, which adds sparkle and heft. Be sure to
review the
Crystal Stemware Buying Guide at
BuildersSquare.com for more details.
Handblown glassware is more expensive than machine-made glassware, because of the higher level of
craftsmanship and skill involved. In particular, handblown
stemware can be made from one piece
of glass, providing better strength with a seamless and more graceful look than a bowl and stem
joined from two separate pieces. However, high quality machine-made glassware can have a great
appearance and offers better economy, as well as worry-free dishwasher and microwave-safe care.
The Essentials: Coordinate your drinkware needs with your plate and flatware place settings.
To coordinate with eight to twelve place settings, a good budget choice in stemware is 10 to 14
all-purpose goblets. If you can afford it and have the storage space, you could get 10 to 14
white wine glasses and 10 to 14 red wine glasses instead or in addition to the goblets.
10 to 14 each of high ball and double glasses, which can work for bar drinks as well as
juice and other non-alcoholic drinks, are recommended. Always allow for some breakage of
glassware by adding a couple extra over your place setting quantities.
Save for Later: Martini glasses look great, but if you aren’t actually going to mix
martinis at home, you can probably skip them. Save the specialized pieces, like margarita
glasses, for when you can afford them, or when you decide you will put them to good use.
Just for Fun: Once you have your basic sets of glassware, add some inexpensive,
brightly colored, or patterned pieces for special use – think festive
pitchers of rum
punch or lemonade for the summer, or juice glasses with bright decals of different
fruit on them to add cheer to regular family breakfasts.
EVERYDAY AND FORMAL SETS – ARE BOTH NECESSARY?
An important decision is whether to have multiple sets and pieces designated for either
formal or everyday use. Though some save their most precious items for special occasions,
others prefer to use their favorite pieces often in order to get the most use and enjoyment
out of them. With today’s range of materials, prices, and styles, it is a growing trend to
use all of your pieces regularly, as opposed to having ones that rarely leave a cabinet.
You may decide it is more fun to have multiple sets of plates that you interchange according
to your mood, or perhaps the season, rather than based on whether they are fine china or stoneware.
Base your decision on what works for you. It makes sense to save the sterling and lead
crystal for special use given their higher maintenance needs. However, a sturdy porcelain
dining set should hold up to regular use and will generally be dishwasher and microwave safe.
DECORATING AND DESIGN TIPS
Tableware offerings include such a vast range of styles and choices that you will surely find pieces that
you love while shopping. As you begin to browse, you will see what styles, shapes, and materials
truly draw you in. Trust your instincts, and make purchases that reflect your vision for your home.
Here are some quick ideas to keep in mind:
Some people like pieces that match exactly while others are more open to an eclectic mix. Keep in
mind that it can be stylish to mix and match materials, colors, patterns, shapes, and styles. As
an example, you can use neutral pieces, such as earth toned plates, as a uniting element, and then
add bowls, platters, and more in bolder colors (think
Fiestaware dinnerware,) patterns, and textures.
Don’t forget about less traditional materials: choices like earthy wooden and
bamboo plates and bowls
add a different look.
Change your placements, tablecloths, coasters, candles, and other accessories by season, holiday, or
whenever you like. These are quick, easy and relatively inexpensive ways to alter or update your look.
Collect accent pieces over time. These will personalize your home and provide memories of the times
they were purchased, especially special holiday items.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Much of your tableware will be a long term investment, so it helps to keep some practical points in
mind. We’ve collected a few sound tips to help maximize your satisfaction with your goods.
Try to buy your basic sets of dinnerware, flatware, and glassware from well-established
companies, like
Lenox,
Corelle,
Pfaltzgraff,
Oneida,
Denby,
Mikasa,
Spode,
Waterford, and
numerous others. This can make it easier to replace items or add to your sets. Also consider
keeping your main place sets neutral and easy to match, such as white dinnerware, in case you do
have trouble replacing pieces at a later time.
If easy care and use is a priority to you, make sure items are
dishwasher and
microwave oven safe.
There are many great choices that are both.
Consider your family’s needs and be realistic. If you have toddlers, it probably is not the
time to break out the fine china as your daily ware. Don’t be afraid of
melamine dinnerware,
plastic tableware,
and other non-traditional and durable choices. These often stylish choices
aren’t just for outdoor use anymore, especially in households with young children.
Proper storage goes a long way towards preventing chipping of plates and glassware. Make sure
you have the space to store your purchases without too much crowding or reaching. Appropriate
storage is especially important for protecting sterling silver and crystal.
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