Hey Everyone!!!  Once again, I’m wishing you a happy, healthy and wonderful New Year!  Thanks a million for following along in 2015 and I look forward to what 2016 has in-store for us to share with one another.  For my first post of the new year, I’d like to talk about being eclectic and venturing outside the norm.  So many times, we are stuck in the mindset, “things HAVE To MATCH”.  Well it may be true for 90% of our lives, but when it comes to table settings,  I think we can break the rule- well at least I’m going to break it.. and I’ll show you how.

Many times, I’ve gone to estate sales, thrift stores, garage sales and would see a plate, saucer, or cup and love the pattern but often times, it’s not a complete set.  So, I decided to mix it up!  I found different patterns that tend to blend and decided to create my own eclectic setting.  I started with these nicely patterned placemats I stumbled across at Walmart.  I’m glad I ventured to that isle and found them.

Not bad right?  At $1.99 each and having the perfect metallic gold finish, I figured they would pull the look together.  Modern placemats mixed with thrift score dishes would create a beautiful table setting.  Next I added gold crackled charger plates, which were $3.00 for the set of six at Goodwill. Then, I layered the plates and here is the finished look.

I love soft floral pattern dishes and by using pastel blends of similar looks I was able to mix pieces for a cohesive style.  The dinner plates were about $1.50 ea, the bread plates were between $0.50-$0.75 ea, the brass napkin rings were found at Goodwill for $0.59 each and never used.  The white linen napkins belonged to my grandmother.

Also featured in my setting are limoges bone dishes, which are rare items to find and they blend with the floral patterns.  Limoges is a delicate fine bone china made in Limoges, France and began being manufactured in the late 18th century.  You can read more about its history here.  At the turn of the century, bone dishes were used to hold discarded chicken or fish bones, because it was considered improper to allow bones to remain on your main plate as it appeared to be an unsightly mess (the Victorians were very neat), henceforth, the use of the bone dish.

I also found the crystal (dumbbell shape) knife rests years ago and purchased them from an antique shop.  Knife rests are rarely used these days, but they are very handy when eating.  They offer a more convenient place to rest your knife while not in use, instead of leaning it on your plate.  Lastly, the gold flatware was a wedding gift.  Hard to believe I’ve had them almost 30 years.

As you see, you can create a pretty, delicately balanced table setting using thrift store and estate sale finds by mixing patterns.

The cute little place card is made of porcelain and I found the set at an antique shop about 20 years ago, when I was hosting tea parties.

This is the complete set  –  Isn’t it the cutest.. Just use a sharpie to mark on them and wipe off with water..

I finished the look with depression glassware I inherited from my grandmother.  She had a complete service for twelve with water goblets and wine glasses, plus six smaller glasses (which I used for the children), along with the pitcher, salt & pepper shakers and two serving dishes.  It’s really a nice set, so I consider myself blessed to have it.

You see how mixing patterns, styles and eras could blend together to make a beautiful setting?   Not only does it look pretty, but it also adds a bit more interest.  Have you ever mixed patterns to create a table design?  If not, would you?  If so please share – I’d love to see it.

I hope this has sparked an interest and the next time you see a pretty plate, get it and build on it to create your own blend of tableware.

I hope you enjoyed my Mix It Up tableware?  If so, let me know….  As always, remember, beauty doesn’t have to be costly.    Thanks for reading and until next time..  Smooches!