Tableware Ideas: Stoneware, Earthenware, Melamine and more
Photo credit: Gisela Graham
Tableware has become every bit as stylish as the rest of our home decor. Gone are the days when we simply had a boring dinner service tucked away in a cupboard, with our best bone china reserved only for special occasions. Today’s plates, bowls, mugs and serving dishes are so decorative they can be part of your home’s styling. In many homes, plates are proudly displayed on open shelving, inside glass cabinets or even hung up on the wall as decorative art.
What I also love about modern tableware is the sheer variety available. You can choose a collection that complements your overall interior style, from glazed stoneware or earthenware for a rustic look, to bright patterns for those lovers of colour, or elegant bone china or porcelain for a more traditional look.
Having explored different outdoor tablescapes in a recent post, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite tableware collections. Although the term tableware includes everything from glasses and cutlery to platters, I’m going to focus mainly on plates, bowls, jugs and serving dishes, including a couple of ranges made from durable materials that are ideal for picnics or dining beside the pool.
I thought I’d begin with this gorgeous collection of artisan stoneware. I chose this particular image because it illustrates how decorative tableware has become and how it can double up as part of your home’s styling. These charming fish dishes, for example, work as well for olives or other nibbles as they would as a trinket dish. And with its beautiful blue reactive glaze, the jug would look equally stylish displayed on kitchen shelving or a console in a dining room, proving that tableware can also work so well as a home decor accessory.
Mixing and matching whites with colour, layering shapes and combining textures is all part of the fun with tableware. Throughout this article, I’ll be sharing a variety of styles in different materials, so whether you're planning a picnic and want to pack some colourful, light melamine plates that look good yet are easy to carry, or hosting a sophisticated alfresco dinner party, there’s plenty of inspiration to help you create a stylish setting.
Before we explore different collections, I’ll guide you through the materials tableware is made from, the styles that best suit different interiors, as well as a checklist of the accessories you might want to add to your tablescape. If you’d like more inspiration for your outdoor tablescapes, then take a look at my recent article: Outdoor Table Ideas: beautiful tablescapes and stylish outdoor dining sets.
Photo credit: Leach Pottery
Tableware materials
Stoneware - Fired at extremely high temperatures, stoneware is known for its durability. It is natural, rustic and often finished with different glazes like the stoneware pictured above from Leach Pottery.
Earthenware - Thicker and heavier than other tableware, it has an artisanal handcrafted feel but is less durable than stoneware.
Bone china - Elegant yet surprisingly durable, bone china is chip-resistant and fired at high temperatures, resulting in extra strength. It has a fine, timeless quality, perfect for both everyday and special occasions.
Porcelain - Sophisticated and lightweight like bone china but more affordable.
Melamine - Lightweight, unbreakable and made of plastic, so it is ideal for picnics, family BBQs or dining by a pool.
Enamel - Made from powdered glass fused onto cast iron or steel, enamel is hard-wearing yet lightweight and perfect for camping or trips to the beach.
Photo credit: West Elm
Tableware designs and styles
Just like home decor objects such as vases, these days, tableware has more distinctive styles, like the Kanto Stoneware Dinnerware Collection from West Elm which, made from glazed stoneware with a unique speckled effect, has that rustic feel to it.
Rustic - glazed stoneware with textural finishes in earthy, muted tones. Ideal for Scandi, Farmhouse or Organic Modern interior styles.
Artisanal - often made of earthenware with hand-painted motifs and organic shapes suited to rustic, organic modern or boho homes.
Classic elegance - plain or delicately patterned porcelain or bone china that suits traditional, timeless and heritage-style interiors.
Bold and bright - colourful tableware featuring playful motifs or vibrant patterns in melamine, porcelain and stoneware, ideal for bringing personality into more eclectic homes.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
Displaying your tableware
I love walking into a shop, hotel or restaurant and seeing gorgeous tableware displayed on open shelves. I have glasses, several jugs, serving dishes and bowls on display in my own home that I then use for serving food and drinks while entertaining.
If you have open shelving in your kitchen or dining room like in the image here, it’s a practical and stylish way to keep plates, bowls and other dishes within easy reach while creating a stylish focal point. I photographed this stunning kitchen for Elle Decoration Country where the homeowner had filled a vintage shelving unit with the exquisite collection of French tableware from Astier de Villatte. The display feels effortlessly curated and shows how displaying tableware on open shelving can be both functional and stylish.
To create an interesting display, you can mix your tableware on shelving alongside vases, plants, books and a few carefully chosen home décor pieces. For more inspiration and ideas on styling shelves in the kitchen, visit my feature: How to Style Kitchen Shelves - Creating Beautiful, Everyday Displays.
Photo credit: Gisela Graham
Styling your table to complement your tableware
Creating a stylish table is about layering different textures and materials. The image here shows a beautifully layered summer table, beginning with a striped linen tablecloth and white sheer runners that create a soft, relaxed base. Woven placemats define the setting for fluted stoneware dishes and plates featuring delicate fish and starfish illustrations from Gisela Graham. Layered with both a fabric and paper napkin, and finished with wooden-handled cutlery and decorative green glassware, the overall look evokes a sense of coastal calm for a tablescape perfect for summer dining. Here is a quick checklist of the items you could use to create your tablescape.
Tablecloth or runner - linen or cotton, plain for a timeless look or patterned to add personality.
Placemats - woven rattan, seagrass, jute or cork placemats always look stylish.
Napkins - linen adds a touch of sophistication, while paper napkins bring colour and pattern to the table.
Dinnerware - layer dinner, side and dessert plates, adding dishes, cups and bowls depending on the occasion and the food you are serving.
Serveware - dishes and platters for cheese, desserts and salads.
Cutlery - wooden or bamboo-handled creates a more rustic feel, while different metals or black suit a more contemporary setting.
Glasses - coloured glass, like the green glass pictured here, introduces another layer of interest to your table.
Jugs - whether glass or in the same material as your crockery, a jug for serving drinks or water can be a decorative addition.
Neutral-toned terracotta
If, like me, you favour a muted palette, neutral linens, and a natural organic interior, this tableware is perfect for you. Made from terracotta mixed with a light pigment and finished with a glaze, these plates feel both sophisticated and rustic at the same time. With this type of tableware, it’s the overall feel of the setting that makes the difference. Small touches like the wooden-handled cutlery, banana-leafwoven placemats, and wooden napkin rings all work together to create a relaxed, natural tablescape. Complementing the look is the beautifully hand-carved mango wood serving bowl, whose rich tones add depth and bring another layer of nature to the table.
Photo credit: Nkuku
Portuguese-style decorative plates
Hand-painted dinner plates always feel special, bringing drama and interest to the table. The ones pictured here are from Caldas da Rainha and feature sweeping green fronds that could be interpreted as fern leaves or peacock feathers. These artistic designs make them decorative enough to display, not just hide away in a cupboard. In fact, plates like these deserve to be on show, either on a shelf or as wall décor. I did exactly this in my last house, where I created a feature wall with a mix of old and new Delft blue plates I had collected from vintage stores, as well as modern designs with inscriptions and illustrations.
Photo credit: Casa by JJ
Chic coastal-style tableware
Coastal style comes in many shapes and forms, often incorporating blue and white stripes, fish motifs and other nautical-inspired details. What I particularly like about this collection from M&S is how it has designed a more elegant interpretation of the look. The stoneware plates and serving dish pictured here feature raised shell details with textured imprints around their scalloped edges, creating a subtle yet distinctive design. Styled with soft blue napkins and coordinating glassware, this is perfect for homes by the sea or for anyone wanting to bring the feeling of coastal living to their table.
Photo credit: M&S
Enamel tableware in soft green
Enamel tableware has come on leaps and bounds since the white plates with blue rims I took camping as a child. Today’s designs are far more stylish, and this gorgeous botanical collection by Talking Tables in off-white and pale green brings that relaxed outdoorsy feel to the table. Enamel is lightweight and unbreakable, making it ideal for dining beside a swimming pool, packing into a picnic hamper or carrying to the beach. What I also like about this range are the coordinating accessories. Napkins, candle holders and a striped tablecloth, all in the same tones, bring a cohesive feel to summer dining.
Photo credit: Talking Tables
Soft-toned glazed serveware
Your serveware doesn’t have to come from the same collection as your dinnerware. In fact, mixing different finishes and styles can make it look more interesting and considered. I have white organically shaped glazed dinnerware, while my serveware is a rich deep blue, so it brings contrast to the table.
The soft green bowls, jug and platter pictured here from ProCook are finished with a reactive glaze which gives each piece that handcrafted feel and beautifully layered texture. This collection would pair with many different styles of dinnerware and is ideal for summer entertaining, whether you are serving salads, nibbles or snacks. As in the image here, you can also use a dish as a fruit bowl so it is permanently on display.
Photo credit: Pro Cook
Quirky paper plates for picnics and parties
Paper plates tend to conjure up memories of children’s parties, but today’s designs have become so sophisticated they could pass for the real thing. They’re a brilliant choice for summer parties and picnics, especially if you are entertaining a large number of guests and don’t want to wash up dozens of plates afterwards. These novelty paper plates from Meri Meri are designed to look like a vintage tin of sardines, with each plate featuring a charming illustration; bringing a touch of seaside humour to the table, they are guaranteed to raise a smile with children and grown-ups alike.
Photo credit: Meri Meri
Mediterranean-style in melamine
This collection instantly transports me to the Italian island of Capri with its iconic lemon motifs. I have a couple of lemon-themed items I brought back from trips to the island, so this dish immediately caught my eye. What makes this range even more appealing is that, although it has the look of handcrafted porcelain, it is actually melamine! This means you can now dine in style on the terrace or around your pool without worrying about breakages. The collection by Les Jardins de la Comtesse includes everything from dinner plates, dishes, bowls, and salad bowls to trays, cutlery, and placemats, all decorated with colourful illustrations to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your table.
Photo credit: Les Jardins de la Comtesse
Artisan-inspired tableware
These bold, graphic printed plates are inspired by the colours and patterns of the Mediterranean to bring sunshine into your home. Designed by La Redoute Intérieurs, the Montesol collection is made from stoneware in warm, earthy tones, giving it an authentic hand-crafted feel. This range caught my eye as the side and dessert plates feature different designs from the dinner plates, while the platter and salad bowl each have their own individual pattern. Mixing pieces with varying designs that tie together through colour makes for a beautiful, cohesive table display that feels collected rather than perfectly matched.
Photo credit: La Redoute
Inscribed tableware
Emma Bridgewater is one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of inscribed tableware. With its bold black lettering and farmhouse-inspired design, her Black Toast collection has become a modern classic. Made from earthenware, it strikes the perfect balance between style and practicality, looking just as good on the dining table or open shelving. When displayed, inscribed plates make a real statement either individually or grouped together as shown here. And it’s not only the plates that feature Emma’s signature lettering, as the collection also includes mugs, dishes, jugs and butter dishes. Whether you’re starting your day with coffee or hosting a brunch, these pieces bring interest, charm and character to your table.
Photo credit: Emma Bridgewater
Tableware for pre-dinner nibbles
These unique mosaic-style plates and dishes from Rockett St George, decorated with motifs including a fig branch, peacock and palm tree, are ideal for serving everything from dips, olives and nuts to antipasti. And, with wording such as Santé and Aperitivo engraved on them, they instantly bring that relaxed Mediterranean vibe to the dining table. As they are particularly decorative, the plates and dishes would look stylish displayed on a shelf, cabinet or console when not in use.
Photo credit: Rockett St George
Classic-style tableware
It’s now fashionable to stack tableware on shelves, but you can also display it the more traditional way, like in the dresser pictured here, which works well for decorative pieces. Open shelving also works well and a glass-fronted cabinet is ideal as it allows you to admire your tableware whilst keeping it close at hand and, what’s more, dust-free. This delicate Fantastical Forest Collection from Pottery Barn is actually made of stoneware, then hand-printed with trees, flowers and animals to bring woodland charm into your home. I particularly like the fact that each piece features a different woodland creature, with foxes, owls, deer and a variety of woodland birds.
Photo credit: Pottery Barn
LET’S SUM UP
I hope this article has given you insight into tableware and how it can be more than something we just eat from, but part of your home styling.
If you enjoyed this feature, you might also like to read my article: Home Decor Essentials to Style Your Home and Make a Room Feel Finished, and for tips on displaying your tableware, my feature on How to Style Kitchen Shelves - Creating Beautiful, Everyday Displays.
Hi, I'm Sandra van Aalst – interior stylist, writer, photographer and Sunday Times bestselling author.
Having worked freelance for magazines including Elle Decoration and House Beautiful, in my blog posts I share inspiring home tours, practical styling ideas and decorating tips to help you create a home that feels beautiful, personal and pulled together.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
