When a plate loses its mate

Like many of us, there’s always a plate with a chip or now missing from a complete set. Finding a replacement is not as easy as suggested online (I’ve looked) and unless its a popular name brand, its almost impossible.

Is it perfectly acceptable to just consider mix-matching your dinner plates especially when having guests over for dinner?

[URL removed] floral or designs with solid colors…

Please [URL removed] Guess who’s coming for dinner = thanks!

asked about 14 years ago

MONTROSE
Reputation: 8354
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24 Answers

Personally, I think that mix ‘n match is terrific! I love to be different. Same thing with my furniture…it’s all mix ’n [URL removed] from antique to retro.

Go For It Montrose!!! :)

answered about 14 years ago

It is not only perfectly acceptable, it’s actually the height of fashion to “mix ‘n’ match” dinner ware and even (I think, anyway) flatware, serving pieces, dining room chairs, etc.! IMHO, there’s just nothing worse than all “matchy-matchy” in home furnishings, etc.
Happy dinner!

answered about 14 years ago

loneelk
Reputation: 128
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Yes, if you use 2 of each or all different, it brings out that homey feeling! I love it. What is on the menu and what time is dinner.

answered about 14 years ago

About 10 or more years ago, I gave my “good dishes” (read expensive) to my daughter. I went shopping with a plate from my everyday stoneware and matched colors, like and unlike patterns, and ended up with the most amazing dinner table for the holidays. There isn’t any of my serving pieces that match each other and some are now on Bonanzle for purchase.

It’s a great way to present dishes and silver service pieces you wouldn’t have used before.

answered about 14 years ago

I mix and match my plates when having dinner guest. Adds to the festivity.

answered about 14 years ago

the cliche ‘’The More the Merrier’’ goes for a Wide Variety of Dishes, too…Here’s the Line You Might Wish to Use, at [URL removed] ’’’’’It’s my Sincere, Heartfelt and Thought-Out Wishes, that Each of Your Unique & Wonderful Personalities is Reflected by These Dishes!’’’’

LOL!

:D

answered about 14 years ago

Different plates make for an interesting dinner conversation. If you still want a replacement, you can probably find the pattern at replacements.com.

answered about 14 years ago

Replacements.com is great, but think it makes for a fun, interesting dinner table to have those ‘mis-matched’ settings. My sister in Dallas does it at her monthly ‘teas’ and is a big hit with the gals!

answered about 14 years ago

Go ahead and mix it up Montrose. Life is full of differences and what fun would it be if every thing was the same? Your guests are there to enjoy you. Have fun! :)

answered about 14 years ago

The idea of mix and match certainly is acceptable. Years ago I had more over for Thanksgiving than my service for 8. But, aha, I had two different services for 8. I just alternated the place settings.

Have fun with it.

answered about 14 years ago

THis idea has been featured in several of the decorating magazines for years now. I’ve always wanted to do it but my ‘set’ of dishes is still intact so I haven’t tried it. Your mix/match dinner might just be the talk of the night. I do think it will give an especially homey and kick-back feeling to your table and guests. I love devinefabricsnmore’s explanation to the guests of why you did it too, very clever. Go for it!

answered about 14 years ago

debdoll
Reputation: 972
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Gee, never knew that having different patterned dinner plates was kewl.

Have a cupboard full of them, so when I have company over for dinner, everyone gets a plate for their food (of course I don’t make them bring their own), and yes, some have different patterns.

Even found a few matching ones over at our eternal yard sale across the road (that runs all summer long).

So I’m fashionable, who would have thunk that. :)

answered about 14 years ago

Yep, agree with everyone here… mix and match is the way to go.
Now that there are only myself & dh at home, we have six plates, two each of three different colors. We’d been using the green plates for a very long time. The other night dh was washing dishes, there was a crash, and he said, “Thus ends the era of the green plates.” LOL!

answered about 14 years ago

Oh…I hope it isn’t the mother in law!! Mismatching to me is key. I don’t like things to flow so smoothly & I find sometimes those “New” ways can be great conversational starters..

Tell them its the new Rave! Floral & solid colors Make it evened out & fun one floral or two then a flat white plate. Mix up the rest of your serving ware too! Make the cups different patterns or colors..

It’ll be something different & get people talking…who know you might start a trend!!

answered about 14 years ago

Mix and Match is just fine, and it is still the thing to do. I mix and match our set due to holidays, and gatherings. Never know how many people will be there for sure, and sometimes after buying a set, the style of it disappears quickly too. When I mix and match they still blend together in their own way, but still match with the kitchen, and other decor at home. I have certain colors I like, and tend to stay within that area of colors too.

If you are all matched up…sometimes that feels too formal. Our household is easy, more laid back, and not so stiff….so therefore the mix and match definitely applies to [URL removed]

answered about 14 years ago

You all ROcK! I like ALL your answers. Mix & match is the SOLUTI0N…

answered about 14 years ago

MONTROSE
Reputation: 8354
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Mix and match is a perfect way to show off, normally not seen dishes! A chance also, to show your personality! :) FUN and ELEGANT! :)

answered about 14 years ago

ew410
Reputation: 23
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In my Antique shop, I always get ladies coming in looking for “Themes”, maybe floral, or solid, or purple, or violets…. to put together a theme of dinnerware, rather than a “matched” set. Mix & Match is a very viable solution.

answered about 14 years ago

I also think mix and match dinner settings are some of the prettiest settings- to me it represents a more creative mind and spirit :)

answered about 14 years ago

inspired
Reputation: 278
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Well I guess I’m the odd ball here.
I do not mix & match dinner plates.
When I buy, I usually buy some extra’s
or and extra set, especially if I really
like the design, that way if n when they
break, I have my extras.

answered about 14 years ago

Mix and Match is cool, I agree.

Some suggestions at the Wedding place on how to mix and match.

[URL removed]

Martha and the Kovels approve of mix and match, too!

[URL removed]

Go for it, be creative.

answered about 14 years ago

All in all..I agree with you all! Just go haead and enjoy the imagination…but ofcourse mix n’ match doesn’t mean 1 plastic with 1 silver with 1 copper…u know wht i mean…a meaningful mix n’ match!

answered about 14 years ago

There are actually magazine advertisements and articles in some high-end publications showing the same mix and match concept.

Now on the other hand, I recall many years ago reading about a famous clothing designer - whose name I can’t remember- who had an entire butler’s pantry (really a large room) filled with dozens of complete sets of china……..think of all the wasted time she spent choosing the day’s dinner ware………

But, for us mere mortals, it’s fun to creatively assemble bits and pieces to make a full dining room table setting…….

Carolyn

answered about 14 years ago

I’m a ‘go with the flow’ type kinda guy—mixing dinner plates seems like the idea—why anguish over lost or damaged plates! Vary the colors, and even patterns—why not—it’s almost the teens! Gosh, I feel old!

answered about 14 years ago

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