I admit it. I love dishes. And I have a lot. And so from time to time, I like to sell some and give others away. But the strangest thing happened this week, when I announced to my family that some dishes would be leaving our home. I got push-back. Really? I know everyones thinks it’s my fault my house is full of dishes, but apparently it isn’t ALL my fault.
Our wedding china couldn’t be sold because ‘what does that say about our marriage?’ Evie didn’t want me to sell the Desert Rose dishes, because they are pink. And the Fiesta dishes are such lively colors so they couldn’t be sold either. And don’t get me started on the Christmas Spode. Those are important for the holidays.
The plan was to sell all of those and maybe even my Limoges. I was ready to move on. So I came up with a creative compromise to make everyone happy. I asked how they would feel if we just kept a service of 4 for each pattern and that made everyone happy. That meant I could sell a service for 8 in the china, and a service for 9 in the Fiestaware. Evie loves the Desert Rose, so I’m keeping it all so when she has her own house, that will be hers. (If that ever happens.)
I consigned the dishes and gave away some glass snack sets. Remember those? They are the plates and cup sets. The plates have a spot for your punch cup. Why did I need 2 dozen of those? I don’t have big parties any more.
So I wanted to share some ways you can mix and match dishes. I’ve decided (if I buy any more dishes) to only buy them in small quantities. Then I can mix and match them.
Below, share how I used Fiesta dishes as a base for some different looks. I first mixed the Desert Rose and the pink Fiesta dishes.
Next I used the pink Fiesta dishes and mixed in my Blue Ridge hand-painted American dishes. These are very charming. I only have four salad plates in this pattern, but that’s all I need since I can use them with the Fiesta dishes.
I also have just a few chintz salad dishes in the Welbeck pattern. They also work very well with the pink Fiesta dishes. They would go with the other colors, but I consigned the blue, green, and yellow ones at the store already. 
Next I’ve used some colorful Spode dishes with the pink dishes.
Here’s another Spode pattern in pink and brown, one of my favorites!
I also kept the lavender Fiesta dishes, so here I used the lavender plate with yet another odd Spode plate.
I hope that gives you some options if you are wanting to clear out some space in your cupboard. You can just keep small amounts of dishes in each pattern, then mix and match if you have a large gathering. And if you get bored easily like I do, then you can have a new look every day.
Love the pretty dish mix and match! I too had too much, went to house half the size of our old house. So I went from patterns of 4 diff types to just white and clear as a way to cut down. You are doing great!
My husband and I could never agree on a pattern for our wedding dishes. So, we each choose four place settings we liked, keeping to a blue theme. I nom have 25 or so lace settings and have ventured away from just blue. What’s interesting is that frequent visitors like to have “their “ place setting.
I edited dishes when we moved into our new place a few weeks ago. I did keep eight of each of the depression salad plates I have – green, gold, blue, and pink. Those four colors can work with the seasons and most holidays.
Brilliant! I gave my Desert Rose to my sister, who ended up boxing them away. I gave another set of fine china to my niece. I have kept my Lenox, my Villeroy & Bach, but only have five White Dogwood dinner plates from Stangle and eight salad plates. I was contemplating buying more dinner plates from Replacements, but your post changed my mind. I’ll mix what I have and be happy about it. Thank you!
Dear Anita,
Oh no!! Why, oh why do I feel as though I NEED some pink dinner plates??? 🙂 And maybe some French linen napkins to boot!
I also consider dishes an art element in my home. Just a few years ago I had 12 sets of 12 plus serving pieces. I have gifted some of them and felt bad that I did. I soon recognized that it was necessary and only one gift I truly regretted. Long story. I have since decided to keep the rest. I will make room, move some other items around. You should see my antique and reproduction colonial pottery collection! I like the way you mixed sets to create an entirely new setting! Giving me more ideas…….
Yes, I am a dishaholic! I have quite a number of dishes that I enjoy very much. I use them often because I entertain a lot. Paper plates are the last resort.
I have 3 girls and grandkids so we have little teaparties.
Oh that sounds like such fun Lina. I also love dishes so much!
I too love dishes. It’s so fun to mix it up. I love this post and all of your posts. Thank you!!! You’ve given me some great ideas.
My love for dishes is so inappropriate at this point in my life since my grown children with large homes handle the family entertainment at holidays. So, I have given away everything except 4 place settings of my Fiesta-like solid color dishware in 4 different colors that will, by itself, mix and match. My entertaining these days consists of no more than 4 people and so to satisfy my strong “need” for dishware, I just purchase new salad plates that catch my eye and that will mix and match with my solid colors. I really do love doing that, since its like having all new dishware and so much less expensive. There are amazing salad plates for sale out there in all colors and patterns and so guilt-free you can indulge on something seasonal or whimsical and fun as well as a traditional pattern. Pier 1 is a treasure-trove of interesting individual salad plates as is Pottery Barn and others. But beware — salad plate addiction is real.
Oh thanks for the shopping advice Pat. You sound so creative! I too have an ‘inappropriate love’ of dishes!
Oh Anita, I too have a dish addiction but had to reduce down when we remodeled our kitchen and took a large bank of cabinets out. I have given a large portion of my dishes away and it feels so freeing! Thank you for the creative ideas on how to increase the usage of our existing collections. ?
Yes it sure is freeing getting rid of things that you aren’t using!
I like the idea of clear plates with color napkins underneath…….add the salad plate with a color design as in the napkin beneath the clear plate. It works great, especially for informal entertainment. You still have your nice china to mix and match as desired. I conserve space for other things.
Oh Margaret, I love this idea!!!
Great concept for mixing it up.
I admit to inheriting the dishaholic tendencies from my Mom.
Love the lavender with the green transferware… so Springtime!
Love the comment about Evie getting the rose dishes! 🙂
Just packed up my Plazcraft Naturewood dishes which I have loved and used for years. Now I am not sure what to do with them so they sit in two very large heavy plastic bins on the office floor. Two daughters but they don’t want them .Thought of ebay but so heavy to ship. Any ideas out there? Thanks from one dish addict to another..
I love all your combos of colors and patterns, just lovely !
I am such a disholic and my two daughters have enough stuff themselves, so who knows what they will take for themselves and the granddaughters. Anyway, I don’t care, it’ll be their problem, lol..
Ha Fabby, you’re right! It’s their problem not ours! You’ve just freed me from any dish guilt
It’s nice to know I am not alone in collecting china!
However, you are divesting and I am…investing…LOL
I have started a new collection of “red” and white transfer ware….
I feel like it’s perfect for the holidays…especially on the hutch….
Love your brown and white transfer ware…I have some of that…but it is hard to find these days
Nancy
What an amazing collection of dishes. I love how you can mix & match. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday