Friday 11 May 2012

Fine China

Hi everyone, thanks for your lovely comments on my last couple of posts!



I'm having a break today and letting someone else do the hard work! 

A while ago I was asked whether my readers might be interested in reading a guest post about fine china, and knowing how discerning you all are, and how you all enjoy making the most of your homes, I thought it would be nice to share this guest post with you, written by Julie Shuford, Marketing Manager at Bering's, Houston Texas.


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Fine China Must-Haves to Truly Unique Pieces


Paper plates and plastic containers might be great for a picnic, but when you are the host make your guests feel truly welcome with some beautiful fine china. Hosting friends and family, and even professional gatherings, provides a great time to share your style and eye for detail. From your choice of home décor and fashion, to your tabletop- it is all a reflection of you. While you might already own plates and serving pieces you really like, it is still nice to consider incorporating other pieces into the mix. From the must-have, to the nice-to-have and even the truly unique fine china pieces, we will share some options to ensure your next get-together is one your guests will be talking about!


To begin, we will briefly review some must-have fine china pieces. I always say the essential for dining is your 5 piece fine china set (dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate, cup and saucer). But please, do not write-off this article if your initial take-away is that you have to spend an incredible amount in order to properly host a get-together. While it is nice to have your 5 piece fine china set, even having a few full settings, or even some pieces, is a great foundation to start with. For example, if you are hosting a baby or wedding shower it would be lovely to use your salad or dessert plates for the hors d'oeuvres and/or cake. You might also opt to use your tea cups and saucers. It will make the friend you are hosting the shower for feel even more special. And you don't even have to set out your full 5 pieces!


Included below are some of our favorite must-have fine china settings:


Indigo Wave by Mottahedeh:



Arcades, by Philippe Deshoulieres





Here is a truly classic, but a bit more casual fine china option - Spode's Blue Italian.





You might be relieved to hear the heavy lifting is over! Yes, deciding on a formal 5 piece place setting can be quiet daunting, but so helpful in laying the foundation. Now that you have your formal china selected, we can move on to the nice-to-have fine china pieces.


As you are probably well aware, every fine china pattern includes equally beautiful serving pieces adorned with the same pattern. From china teapots to lustrous serving platters, they always add that little extra touch to your tabletop. Fine china serving pieces also make exquisite pieces to decorate with from mantle pieces to wall décor. Make the most out of your fine china by seeing it and enjoying it every day.


Here are some of our favorite nice-to-have serving pieces.


Spode Woodlands platter:




Yes, even pets have serving pieces! Here is the Spode Woodlands dog bowl:






Here are some serving pieces that go with the china set pictured above. Spode's Blue Italian:





I think most would agree that it is "nice to have" your must-have as well as your nice-to-have fine china pieces. However, some of the most expressive and fun pieces are the truly unique fine china pieces. These are the fine china pieces that might not serve a purpose other than looking nice, but add character and color.


The picture below includes all three examples from the must-have dinner plates to the nice-to-have serving bowls, and the truly unique fine china pieces. Rothschild Bird by Herend is such a timeless pattern!







Now that you have your fine china bases covered, maybe you should start inviting friends and family over to share in the pretty pieces! And in the meantime, it never hurts to admire and take notes on how your friends and family decorate and entertain with their fine china.


About the Author


Julie Shuford is the Marketing Manager for Bering's Hardware in Houston, TX.   Julie is a girl's girl who loves a good sale, a long run, and time with her husband and new baby boy. Bering's Hardware is a unique retail store that provides everything from hardware to fine china and housekeeping products to grilling products.

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Many Thanks Julie for such an interesting  guest post - there are some great ideas here for beautiful china, some lovely photos of various different designs, and I just love the idea of fine china for dogs!


what a good boy!

 I'm sure Logan thinks he's a Prince anyway, the way we spoil him, and if I were to serve up his dinner in such a smart bowl instead of his plastic one then I'm sure he would be wondering why it's taken me so long to give him what he deserves!!!

What do you think your dog would think?
Or maybe he/she already dines off the finest china???




Wishing you all a Happy Weekend!



NB:     Don't forget!  My Giveaway ends Sunday May 27th, so still plenty of time to leave your comment here on the Diamond Jubilee Giveaway post!






8 comments:

  1. I love the Spode Woodlands pattern! I've often thought about about adding some to my "collection" of disher - have I told you I'm a self professed "dish-a-holic" - my mom used to get the biggest kick out of me & my dishes!

    Duke (who should have been named King) like Logan, already believes he's the king . . . we say "he's not too spoiled, just spoiled enough!" LOL!!!

    GREAT guest post!!!!

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  2. Thanks to Julie for lovely post and to you, Gill too. Logan is so cute and you vase adorable.
    love Natasha

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  3. I don't have any 'for best' china, it wouldn't last long in my house with it's clumsy occupants. Archie has a pot bowl, though not china. It's his birthday tomorrow, he'll be two, and yes, he'll have presents and be thoroughly spoilt.

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  4. I love beautiful dishes, thanks for posting them!!!
    Hugs,
    Chris :o)

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  5. Lovely post ladies! I love anything to do with fine china...especially antique china. In a dream world, I think we would all have a special 'china room'...it really should be the standard, don't you think?! Like a laundry room or a mud room, that way we could acquire fine china to our hearts content, and display it properly as well...sigh!

    Logan is always too cute for words...such a sweetie. Miss. Ginger eats our of white porcelain restaurant ware bowls...she's a bit spoiled that way, although I don't really think cares what she eats out of, it's the food that she's obsessed with!
    Your white lilacs are so pretty in the pink vase...really lovely, as are your 'wild flowers' in the jar, love both!

    Thanks for your sweet comments of late Gilly...they've lifted my spirits tremendously, I appreciate your visits so much! I'm sorry the weather hasn't been so nice for you all across the pond...our spring last year was just like that, so thankful this year is much better.
    Wishing you sunny & warm skies to go with your beautiful spring flowers!
    xoxo J~

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  6. Oooooh look at all that china gorgeousness!! What a lovely post hon. I'm just about to catch up on your other recent posts, I've been away from my computer for far too long!

    Have a fabulous week.
    Leah
    xx

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  7. Dear Gill, Thanks for your concern about my health! I have been quite ill - I have done a post which explains all! Hopefully, be back to normal soon!
    June

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  8. so beautiful....so many choices....George is off to the salon today he is so shaggy!

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Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment - I love to read them!
Gill x