Hello Friends,
Raise your hand if you have a bunch of mismatched tableware.
Now, raise your hand if you’d like to know how to make it work.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Over the years, I have collected tableware in all colors and shapes. It’s all odd pieces and nothing matches, but somehow it all seems to come together. Recently, one of my friends asked if I’d show her how to use some of these pieces. So I made a few settings for one or two. If you find these tips useful, we will expand to bigger tables. And yes, I use the exact same mismatched pieces for larger tables, they just have to be set up a bit differently. But for now, let’s have a look…..
Tip 1: Push Color to 110%
Back in the day, there was a hard and fast rule for color balance in a room called the 60-30-10 Rule. Break it to your decorating peril. But now, things have changed. And while this rule is still the foundation ratio from which to start, there is now some wiggle room.
It happens when, after adding one accent color (10%), the room still needs a little something. Nowadays, it’s a-ok to go 110%. This means another accent color can be added to the ratio, making it 60-30-10-10. This ratio works great for this table setting. Blue is 60%, white is 30%, terra-cotta is 10%, and lime green is 10%.
Tip 2: Build On a Bold Pattern
I made this houndstooth tablecloth from fabric designed for women’s clothing. This is because I couldn’t find a ready-made tablecloth in a print that was bold, but not busy. I love the houndstooth print with the black chairs. It’s exactly the foundation I was looking for.
From the tablecloth, solid-colored pottery pieces and a vintage linen napkin are stacked. At the top is a fine china bowl in a different pattern and color, but in a pattern that is sized to compliment the houndstooth. Notice that all of the background colors are the same color (white). By using all white background colors and topping the stack with another pattern, the table setting works with the tablecloth instead of just sitting on top of it.
Tip 3: Add Dimension
Before we leave this set of photos, one more thought. Do your table settings have dimension? To me, this just means that they are not flat. To create lift from the table, I try to use plates with texture on the edges and top the stack with pieces that stand up rather than lay flat. Notice the patterned china bowl on the top has edges and handles that curve up. Then the crystal candle holder adds the final lift.
Tip 4: Use Different Shapes
Notice the same charger and dinner plate is now staged on a polka dot background with a whimsical salad plate. The salad plate shaped like a cupcake is the star of the show. This setting is a bit flatter than I like, but for a casual and fun setting, the salad plate is perfect.
Another salad plate in this set is round, but has ruffles on the edges. And….. I do believe that a striped linen napkin placed just under the salad plate would finish this stack nicely.
Tip 5: Combine Opposites
On this table, a crystal pitcher is paired with a rustic cutting board.
Or combine a fine china bowl with a vintage lace tablecloth, a wooden place mat, and a pottery salad plate.
And last, but not least, is a simple topper made with a paper napkin. A red checked tablecloth can be made of fabric, vinyl, or plastic. To this, stack pretty stoneware and top with a colorful paper napkin to tie it all together.
And that’s all there is to it. Five ways to look at your mismatched tableware with new eyes. I do hope you’ll leave a comment letting me know if this little post is helpful AND if you’d like to see these types of combinations expanded.
23 Comments
I just love your table tops! There’s no better way to make a room more interesting and the pops of color are stunning. What a great job you did. You truly have an eye for color my friend. Pinned and shared!
Thanks Carolann…you’re the best…
What a fun and informative post, Susie! Thanks for sharing such a fantastic array of colorful and lovely options…as always, you rock!
Thanks Heather! We need to collaborate.. Maybe sometime soon…
Oh, now THAT sounds interesting, my friend…we’ll talk!
Omg!! Thank you. These are amazing. I love all of the colors and am going to start looking for bargains on fun plates. Love this!
Thanks Michelle….Good luck with those plates…. It’s loads of fun to play around with the settings. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
These place settings are so pretty and fun! I loved that you used whatever worked for a tablecloth – thinking outside the box…That’s my fave….
Thanks Sarah…. I LOVE using wild things as part of table settings… we will have to keep trying new things…
Love all the table top idea’s. What an inviting space you set.
Thanks Anj…. Maybe one day you can come over…I’ll set up the table.. XO
Awesome ideas Susie. I love them all, and I especially love the idea of layering multiple plates on one another. Just perfect 🙂
Thanks Sue…. Yep…Just take all the mismatched plates and stack’em up. It’s amazing how the look will pull together.
super cute post and dishes are my biggest weakness and my mom’s as well.
Thanks so much.. I know what you mean…the more I work with dishes…the more I love’em. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by.
I love all of your ideas. You really have a talent for putting it all together. Your placesettngs look absolutely fantastic.
Thanks Debra…You just made my day.. Appreciate much.
What great tips and examples to show people like me how to set a nice table without matchy matchy. I always love your table tops!!!
Thanks Toni!! Agree…no matchy matchy here…. XOXO
Enjoyed this helpful post Susie! Oh my am I’m swooning over your beautiful dishes from the colors, patterns & textures. Your salad plates are adorable too!
Thanks so much, Marie. I’m such a dish addict…LOL…and it shows. 🙂
[…] For more table top tips, please click here. […]
[…] Do you remember an earlier post I did that explained how to set up room color according to the 60-30-10 Rule? Well, just in case you missed it, here’s where I’m going with this. The turquoise/aqua will carry about 60% of the room’s color and the mustard will carry about 30%. This leaves 10% for fun color pops, like lime green or hot, hot pink. If you’d like to read more about the 60-30-10 Rule, please click here. […]