Mix'n'Match For Easy Entertaining
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
IMAGES: MARCEL AUCAR
Everyone knows of my obsessive love for plates.
And cups. And saucers. And placemats. And napkins…
I love entertaining to a theme, so having an assortment of styles, designs and colours at my disposal is a necessity! I have a vast collection that has taken over most cupboards in my home, and as much as I need to do one big stocktake of them all - and that’s not even with the addition of my Harris Scarfe plate collections…. Although I must say, I use every single collection I have. I mix and match them, pull them out, put them away, you name it - I use these plates! OK, it’s an extravagance, but I love it!
One of my favourite combinations is that of a mixed pattern. Florals on stripes, polka dots on geometric patterns, flat colours on multicolours. Using clashing designs and creating an unexpected setting is an excellent way of adding colour and interest to your dining table. Whether a simple family dinner or a formal dinner party, giving your table a touch of va-voom via an unusual place setting will always bring a smile to your guest’s face and create a talking point. I have been obsessing over stripes recently, so my Snap Pea Lattice Plates are on high rotation.
I love using a cheeky striped dinner plate with a dainty floral entrée plate atop, balancing the delicate with the strong and creating energy on the table. When combining like this, it’s essential to stick to a colour scheme or use complementary colours. Traditional, hand-painted, fine stripe, thick bold stripes…any! Deciding on a simple palette of my favourite green and white, you can mix your plates, napkins and placemats in these tones. You still get the effect of eclecticism, but it’s a considered look, not just a jumble of items thrown together.
