Kitchen Ideas - HELP! I'm bored with my dishes!?

Question

For my wedding a couple years ago I received service for 12 in an earthenware pattern that I'm already sick of! They're from my mother-in-law so I can't really get rid of them all of a sudden. They're cream with rings of cobalt blue and dark green around the edges (they're Ocean Breeze by Pflatzgraff in case you want to look them up). Does anyone have ideas about how to bring in a theme to make these boring dishes more exciting? Thanks!!

Answer 1

I looked up your pattern, and I didn't think it was bad at all. Pflatazgraff is a good brand, and the quality is nice. I tend to buy the plain, "boring" patterns because it's easier to dress up a table with this type of dinnerware. I always buy two sets of everyday dishes - one as plain and simple as I can find, and always ivory. I buy the same set in a color, (I now have ivory and green) and I mix and match the pieces.

You could put these dishes with some great looking placemats with matching or contrasting napkins (think about the unique napkin rings you could pair with these settings) and set an eye-catching table.

Have you thought of using chargers with your dishes? Something in wicker or a woven, organic look would be perfect.

You could make a tablescape - place some candles of different sizes (I'd go with ivory) on a big charger or candle plate - add some real seaglass in greens and blues, or some glass marbles from the craft store. Maybe add a few shells to the arrangement...would be so attractive! By the way, little seashell napkin ring holders would be cute, too, with this motif.

Or maybe some hurricane vases holding the pebbles or shells.

You could look for some salad plates or bowls in a contrasting pattern or color (I'm sure you could find blue or green) to add to your place settings. You might even find some water goblets in blue or green that would add a lot to your look.

I think you could accessorize with fruit, too. How about a bowl or tall vase of real or articial lemons, limes, or artichokes?

This pattern would be easier to work with than a busy, intricate one that you might tire of more quickly. I think your pattern is pretty neutral, and I would try to work with it by dressing up my table. This is what you and your guests will notice, and your dishes will no longer seem so "boring."

Answer 2

Go to a thrift shop and get random pieces or a smaller set that coordinates with your earthenware pattern. Change water glasses occasionally..

Answer 3

How friendly are you with your in-law??? Cause you can always go to a hobby store and buy some stencils and some porcelain paint from Pebeo.... Stencil something you like in the middle or around the border with the paint.... cook it in the oven as per instructions and you have new dishes! I mean, she can't really get that upset can she??? If she does, you can always tell her that you weren't planning on having them buried with you.... Or you can have a really BIG accident while cleaning.... imagine that.... dropping a whole load of those dishes and they break... :)

Answer 4

Mix and match.