Text and Photography by Robin Wilhelm
Helpful tips
Brides of the 1980s and 1990s (myself included!) often picked their china patterns before they met their intended. Registering for formal as well as everyday china, flatware, and glassware was a rite of passage, as was dreaming about setting the perfect table for a fancy dinner party or holiday gathering. Twelve matching place settings were a must.
Much has changed in how modern families live, entertain, and collect since those days. Younger couples tend to pick simpler, more practical tableware that suits a casual lifestyle. Many in downsizing mode are finding their children and grandchildren don’t want all their “stuff.” Out of this bittersweet understanding of the relationship between the generations before and after my own, a business was born. Those who love vintage china and those who just love a particular color or style can have a unique look for their event tables without the trouble of collecting and maintaining all those pieces. Tea and Old Roses is a tableware rental company that specializes in vintage English china from the 20th century. Clients can choose from an inventory that includes more than 4,000 pieces, allowing for nearly limitless combinations.
As a lifelong lover of china, and after almost a decade of serious pursuit of the little works of art, I’ve learned which pieces to buy, which to bypass, and how to mix them to best complement each other. A gold and white dinner plate with a fluted or textured rim topped by a floral salad plate will add depth and interest to a table setting. Wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and bridal teas are enhanced with the inclusion of tableware in the color palette or style of the event.
For those interested in purchasing vintage pieces, there are a variety of ways to build a collection. Finding a full set of matched plates, cups and saucers, and serving pieces is always an option, but supplementing a contemporary set with a few Art Deco, mid-century modern, or even quirky late 20th-century patterns can help build a more interesting tablescape. Adding a set of colorful salad or dessert plates will give dimension to simple white china. Choosing a single color from your current pattern and hunting for mismatched pieces in that colorway will provide a unique look to each place setting. A true collectible throwback, acquiring an assortment of cups and saucers in a host of colors creates a one-of- a-kind tableau that is always fresh.
