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Did you know that the spoon is the oldest form of what we know today as tableware? Due to its ease of shape, our ancestors used seashells and hollowed stones to scoop their food in prehistoric times. Then, of course, tableware evolved. When one thinks back to the Victorian period, tableware was important, but where it was placed on the dining table was critical. All of my binge-watching Downton Abbey informed me of that.
Today, tableware is a billion-dollar industry. There's a bowl and a plate in every single color, material, pattern, and shape! Choosing and deciding on the color, material, pattern, and shape that will grace your cupboards and dining table, however, can be an overwhelming task. I liken it to getting a tattoo. Unless it's of the paper variety with a frilly flower border, it's going to be with me for not quite a lifetime, but a longtime. In addition, great tableware, like tattoos, are works of art, on exhibit when we want. There's a reason why you see dishes behind glass encasings or a dazzling array of plates arranged in a single file line on an otherwise bare wall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Whether your tableware is on display at a dinner party or used sparingly, collecting dust on the tallest shelf in the kitchen cabinet, tableware is not a buying decision an adult arrives at lightly. So it would be wise to choose carefully and consider what's important to you and your dining experience.
In my twenties, wining and dining others was enjoyable. Grabbing the cheapest plasticware on sale at Ikea or a couple of 99 Cent store forks because mine got lost in a move was also acceptable behavior. I wasn't quite sure if the plasticware was BPA-free or what kind of "metal" those forks consisted of, but my bank account approved. Now that I'm older, entertaining remains a priority, but I prefer to do it in style with a deep appreciation and better understanding of craftsmanship.
Hosting a dinner party means preparing and serving a delicious meal, but how that meal is presented is equally important. That doesn't mean silver platters and crystal, necessarily, either. Even if guests don't comment, they'll notice the table setting, though. It'll be a pleasant conversation starter in most cases unless the table setting is haphazard with multiple chipped dishes and mismatched silverware. The only time a cracked dish should make an appearance while entertaining is when it's intentionally crackled, like the beautiful blue Poseidon plates or the Vimy Ridge Glaze plates in a vibrant canary yellow.
My personal favorite and go-to for most of my dinner parties are The Orion Ceramic Plates. The aptly-named design invokes the magic and peace-inducing activity of star-gazing, and its rich, earthy tones enable me to bring in a pop of color or pattern. Of course, some eclectic textiles or The Boho Morocco Placemats work wonders in that department. A bonus is that the Orion comes in three different sizes, so serving a side salad along with the main entree is a breeze, especially for those folks who don't like their food to touch (no judgment here).
The best part about most of these aforementioned styles is that they're dishwasher and microwave-safe, though handwashing is strongly encouraged to increase their shelf life. Part of purchasing quality tableware is the responsibility that purchase comes with. One can't simply soak a rustic, wooden cutting board in the water. Certain items require more attention and care than others, equal to the attention and care with which they were created. A little mineral oil and board cream every other week could very well result in that cutting board serving hungry guests with fresh brioche for a lifetime. And who doesn't want fresh brioche for life?
Lest we forget the beverages! A sophisticated dining table isn't complete without its sophisticated drinkware. The Lepanto Glass Pitcher Set is a great option for serving iced tea or water. If you've got yourself a table full of whiskey drinkers, then the Kings Mountain Tumbler is a stylish must-have. With a single-peak or multi-peak motif formed inside the glass and a North American Walnut base, this whiskey abode is sure to garner compliments.
My go-to, however, is the Mount Fuji Glass Cups. Their elegant and unique design makes them perfect for any beverage, hot or cold. In addition, all of the above are made from Borosilicate glass, which means they're more resistant to thermal shock than any other common glass. Overall, these are handheld works of art worth putting our pinkies up for.
With style and function to match various aesthetics, Ecletticos' tableware gives that mid-1st-century B.C. silver tableware on display at The Met a run for its dinner, er, money. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find The Wiltshire Stoneware Bowl or The Ronin Hand-painted Bowl inducted into a history museum's exhibit on 21st-century artistry. However, there's no other place I'd rather see this great artisanship proudly on display than my dinner table, greeting my guests with a modern yet timeless flair.
