How to Select Fine China Guest Post

How to Select the Right Fine China for You

By Julie Shuford, Berings Hardware

As you know, the right table setting not only speaks to the style of party you create, it also speaks for the quality and taste in your home every day.  At least when displayed or used! The foundation of all great tablescapes is your fine china setting. However, selecting your fine china can be quite the daunting task. Take a deep breath. The “fine” in fine china isn’t that intimidating!

When trying to decide which fine china setting to select, thoughts of, “What if I change my mind in five years?” or “Am I really paying this much for dishes?” and finally “Will I ever use my fine china?” From quality, to price, to style – selecting the right fine china for your home can really be as easy as 1-2-3.

In a perfect world, we might suggest that everyone who is stumped about selecting the right fine china should run to their nearest retailer and have a consultant review all of the amazing options. However, finding the time to go meet with a consultant might not fit in everyone’s schedule. That is why we will help go over the options with you, from decorating with your china, to mixing and matching and much more- there is so much to consider. While the options are many, the occasions you will use your fine china for are even greater.

To help make an informed decision, we suggest you consider some of the questions and comments below:

1. Do you plan on adding to an existing relative’s china pattern? 

If so, you can always select a few pieces to go with the pattern, or select a complimentary pattern to personalize it. …Mixing and matching applies to china too. For example, this beautiful contemporary fine place setting will win over any critic with its unique twist. The somewhat newer Juliska of Berry & Thread pattern dinner plate is nicely wedged between a longer lived, classic bread plate setting by Philippe Deshoulieres, along with Anna Weatherley’s New Green charger. Doesn’t the gold trim just set it off? This happens to be a great example because you might have 12 dinner plates, but lack salad, bread, etc. What you thought you were lacking turns out to be a winning situation, since you now have a head start to build on by incorporating your own flare in pattern selection.

The take-away with this particular setting is that should you choose to add onto an existing fine china setting, you should feel confident in mixing and matching with other brands of china. It is your tabletop, infuse your personal style while maintaining pieces you might have inherited or have had and would like to make new. A perk to this particular place setting is that Juliska’s Berry & Thread pattern just happens to be dishwasher safe! After all, the host should be just as excited about dinner as the guests.

2. How do you plan on using your fine china?
When considering this question, try taking it all the way to the walls! Yes, the walls. Some of the most elegant interior design is rounded out with plates. From china cabinets, to hutches, to hanging decorative plates on the walls or setting on shelves- fine china should not be strictly reserved for dinner. It might also help you to justify the potentially big ticket attached to your pristine china by having it serve as décor in addition to beautiful food holders!

Should you decide to decorate with your china too, then consider the color of the pattern you select. Does it go with your home décor? For example, you might love a green china pattern, but have primarily blue furniture, wall color, etc. While it is possible that it will all work together, just be mindful of it potentially clashing. A couple of timeless fine china patterns that make for excellent décor are Arte Italica’s Tuscan Dinner Plate, as well as one of the oldest patterns currently manufactured- Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Fluted Plain.

Arte Italica’s Tuscan Dinner Plate:

Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Fluted Plain:

One final pattern to consider for both decorating with as well as serving from is Royal Crown Derby’s Red Aves.

Here is a great example of decorating with china:

3. Think Long Term
A final consideration in your fine china quest is to think long term when deciding if fine china is really important to you. It might not be now, but it most likely will be when the entire family comes to your house for festive gatherings. A beautiful tablescape is a sure way to brighten any occasion.

Here are a couple of timeless fine china patterns. The first is Vietri’s Incanto pattern and the second is Herend’s Queen Victoria pattern with an Anna Weatherley New Green charger. Both are stunning.

Incanto by Vietri:

Queen Vitoria by Herend dinner and salad plate, paired with Anna Weatherley’s New Green charger:

If your head is spinning, it is okay! To recap, just remember these three considerations:
1. Mix and match (with pieces you already have).
2. Consider a pattern that is nice for decorating as well as serving from.
3. Choose a timeless pattern that you will be happy with for years to come.
In the end, your fine china should be right for you.
Happy fine china shopping!

About the Author
Julie Shuford is the Marketing Manager for Bering's Hardware in Houston, TX. Julie is a girl's girl who loves a good sale, a long run, and time with her husband and new baby boy. Bering’s Hardware is a unique retail store that provides everything from hardware to fine china and housekeeping products to grilling products.