It's no wonder more people are entertaining at home with more casual dinner parties. Casual dinnerware comes in an array of bright and bold colors and patterns and can be mixed and matched with almost any style.
More people are buying casual dinnerware than fine china and formal dishes, because we are changing the way we entertain. Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing, who studied consumer trends in dinnerware, said consumers’ tastes have shifted toward a more casual way of setting the table.
“People want tableware they can dress up and dress down depending on the occasion . . . People want tabletop that is better than everyday, but more casual than formal dinnerware,” Danziger said on the Unity Marketing Web site.
The report said nearly 80 percent in the survey agreed with the statement: “My lifestyle is more casual, so I prefer to set my table with more casual, less formal tableware.” And two-thirds agreed with: “When I entertain, I prefer to set my table with upscale but casual dinnerware that is easy to care for and that I can put in the dishwasher.”
The Big Sources for Casual Dinnerware
Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and Pier One are the staples of unique, youthful, casual styles in dinnerware. If you don’t have one of these stores in your town, you can order online directly from their Web sites.
Department stores’ home goods’ departments have a growing array of casual dinnerware, as the fine china, silver and crystal departments shrink. Walk through any department store and you’ll see more brightly colored dishes and bold patterns.
Seasonal Flair
Leaf-shaped plates are popular for fall. Who says a plate has to be round? If you’re having an autumn dinner party and want to dress up your table, leaf salad plates, cloth napkins in fall colors and an rustic centerpiece will make your table a seasonal masterpiece.
Asian Style Dinnerware
Asian style dinnerware has really blossomed in the past few years. You don’t have to be serving sushi and moo goo gai pan to deck out your table with Asian dinnerware. The unique shaped plates with delicate designs are perfect for any dinner.
Don’t Underestimate Plastic
For outdoor dining, especially pool-side, colorful plastic dinnerware is as snazzy as ever. Melamine dishes are made by many manufacturers in a variety of styles.
Casual Entertaining Means Mix and Match
Casual dinner parties are almost “anything goes.” You can mix ornate silver flatware with brightly colored stoneware dishes, use your antique brass candelabra with plastic plates. Chargers, once only found on a formal dinner table, now come in bright colors, jewel tones and tropical hues, as well as in other contemporary, casual materials.
Photo by Pottery Barn.
