While picking and thrifting, I often find random dishes, glassware, and flatware. I will find one or two pieces, but not enough for a set. That’s what got me started mixing and matching dishes, patterns, colors, etc. I LOVE the green dishes with the birds in the center (above). It’s made by Noritake. They have been making tableware for almost 100 years from Japan and are still in business today. I do not know the maker of the the bottom glass plate, but really like the pattern and the way it looks with the Noritake.
The next grouping picks up the pink from the flowers and looks great together. The bottom plate is a piece of green depression glass. I really like the vibrant pink. Matching colors can be challenging. Of course, all greens, pinks, blues, etc., do not look great together. I often think things will look great together, only to get home and find it’s not so great! You can take a photo with you that can help in matching colors.
I’m also not a big depression glass fan, but really like to use it with other dishes. It provides a neutral piece to tie all of the colors/patterns together.
When displaying cups and saucers from your collection, I always struggled with what to do with all the coffee/tea cups. One thing I found that works to corral the cups is a bowl. It can match or not. Both look great!
There are MANY, MANY beautiful patterns on dishes. Have fun with this. One of my customers at the Big Red Barn selected cups and saucers that didn’t exactly match, but worked together to have a tea party/birthday party for her daughter. It was inexpensive and fun. These work great for cocktail parties, appetizers, dinners, etc. Don’t be afraid to try something. You might be surprised how much you love different combinations!
Jackie
Big Red Barn Blog 