What should I take into consideration when melding a vintage china set and a modern one in a table setting?
It’s really fun to mix and match pieces around similar color schemes. I did this when I hosted a tea party for my second daughter’s coming home reception. I had two full sets of china, and chose my favorite pieces from each. The combination was stunning! One easy way to combine different pieces is to choose a charger or dinner plate with an interesting rim, with a complimentary dinner or salad plate in a bold pattern.
Are there specific pieces to look for Easter and Passover?
There are many beautiful serving bowls available in second-hand stores and on eBay that aren’t part of complete sets—consider putting your Easter eggs in them for a centerpiece! You could also find an interesting vintage platter to use as a k'arah, or ceremonial plate, at your Passover Seder. What do you consider the most important pieces from an old china setting, and why? Most Elegant?
I think the serving pieces are the most important because they can be used in so many different situations. Pretty vintage bowls and platters can be used every day! The most elegant might be teapots! So delicate! If I was looking to buy a vintage set to use with my contemporary set, what should I look for? Are there specific pieces that stand out?
Sets with distinctive rims or patterns around the edges of the chargers or dinner plates can be most versatile. You obviously want to make sure no pieces in the set have chips or discoloration. Larger pieces or complete sets with no damage are probably the most eye catching because they are more rare.
Besides church and yard sales. Where do I look for vintage china? Are there great “secret” places online?
EBay and Etsy are no secret, but they are excellent resources for vintage China. The market is actually fairly saturated right now, so while that’s a bad thing for those looking to sell a valuable set, it’s a good thing for collectors. How did you get into this field?
I spent more than 20 years in corporate finance before I decided I need to redesign my life around my family and my passion–entertaining.
About the Author:
Chef Kristal Damron is the owner of Reward Your Appetite Catering, a fine dining catering company committed to providing exquisite culinary dishes with exemplary service.
Chef Damron has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She graduated, with honors, from the Arizona Culinary Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, Jared, and their two daughters, Arianna Victoria and Alexandria Isabella. She and her family enjoy traveling, visiting parks and museums, and spending time with family and friends.
Connect with Chef Damron at RewardYourAppetite.com, Facebook.com/RewardYourAppetiteCatering, Twitter.com/RYACatering, and Instagram.com/RewardYourAppetite.