It's no secret that eating off plastic is a good idea for toddlers. Even though my girls are now old enough to go to preschool, we have only just allowed ourselves to put ceramic plates back to the table.... not for them, for Happy-Husband and I. We quickly learnt as new parents that too many items can go crashing down, even when they're impossibly out-of-reach. So now that every meal no longer feels like a picnic, we're able to bring back the 'pretty stuff.' I have a large collection of one-off plates and platters which have been given to me, invested in, inherited, or found at vintage shops. Each on it's own is a beauty, but when combined with each other, they can be extra special. If you can find a common motif-theme (leaves for example), or colour-scheme (Autumnal shades, or simply 'warms' or 'cools'), then you'll soon see that disparate items look happy together.
Plastic seems to lift it's game when placed near a piece of fine china, and the 'real' crockery stops taking itself too seriously when it's modern neighbor is nearby. Food can also step-up or calm-down depending on whether it's placed on a spectacular or a cheapy... All in all, I find that mixing it up is a very satisfying arrangement for my table!
This Mother's Day, whether your children are seriously all grown up or hilariously childish, why not surprise the family and rather than serving dinner on the usual matching crockery, play with an assortment of plates and dishes instead, and host a Mad Hatter's Tea Party of sorts... it will make you smile, and what better way to bring some fun to the table (especially if you're still cooking on The Big Day). x
