topic Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting? in Home

Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:05:05 GMT

I'm not talking about improvising b/c we don't have a complete set of anything (although there's nothing wrong with that!)

Have always loved flatware, both stainless and sterling. It's actually fun for me to pore over different patterns, compare, etc.

Of course in the past, people who inherited various bits of cherished family silver, would often mix it together, creating an interesting, eclectic look.

Some of the old line manufacturers have caught on to this sort of "Ralph Lauren" look, and offered mixed settings of their own, like Wallace's "Hotel" pattern. QVC even offers it:

http://www.qvc.com/Wallace-Hotel-77-Piece-Flatware-Set.product.H289929.html?colorId=000&sizeId=000&ref=GAS&cm_mmc=GOOGLESHOPPINGFEED-_-GShopping|M|Generic|cooking+dining-_-pla-_-sklf0F7wz|dc_307364755624__H289929-000-000_&mkwid=sklf0F7wz|dc_pcrid_307364755624_pkw__pmt__productid_H289929-000-000&TZ=5

The stainless companies often copy old, old silver patterns, and I notice in the "Hotel" pattern, the dinner fork is a copy of a very old, beautiful Italian sterling design from the house of Buccelatti.

Personally, I would not have every piece in a setting mis-matched, but one or two items. It's a look I find refreshing.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

OKPrincess — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:17:23 GMT

I like it mixed up. Grew up that way. Remember when one piece of flat wear was in a cereal box or something? I vaguely remember. We got juice glasses that way too. I'm ok with mismatched flatware.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

teainlondon — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:02:19 GMT

It depends on the personality. I am a matchy/matchy. If something is off, I am bothered by it---OCD. I want everyting to match, even my silverware. That's why all this Logo stuff is crazy to me. I wouldn't wear it if someone gave it to me. This color hanging out and that color on one side along with all the different types of material. Looks like a circus clown. But that's me. I want my clothes to match and everything in my life. If I'm somewhere that's mismatched, I can ignore it as long as it doesn't belong to me. Mismatched says there weren't enough pieces to make a set. Not my style.

tea

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:15:58 GMT

I would say I like a kind of "controlled" chaos, ha. I like mixed designs within a place setting, but I want ALL the spoons to be the same design, then ALL the forks can be a different design from the spoons, but they must match each other (within their "fork-dom").

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Mominohio — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:06:09 GMT

@Oznell

Fun topic!

My husband goes to a lot of estate auctions and picks up boxes of old flatware, both sterling and plated. It is usually just a mix of patterns and in pretty bad shape.

I always go through it, as I love the old patterns, especially the dainty and delicate ones. One time he had complete setting for 8, so I cleaned it up and kept it, even though it is rather plain for my liking. Another time, he had a mixed box, and while there were many matching forks or spoons or knives not complete settings of everything to match. There were 8 matching forks and knives from one pattern and 8 spoons from another that coordinated well, so I kept those and cleaned them up. They look nice enough together to use.

That same box had 8 dessert forks in yet another pattern and were beautiful, so I kept those and we used them Christmas morning as I only serve cookies and coffee cake while we open gifts. Those old dainty little forks were perfect for just serving dessert or cake at a function like that.

So I usually prefer my flatware to all match at the table, but sometimes if I am setting a more feminine table with a mix match of floral pattern dishes, a well put together mix match of flatware fits in just perfectly.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 16:13:09 GMT

I typically don't care for an eclectic look in any type of home furnishings so, No, I don't do this nor would ever do it.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 18:08:12 GMT

Love tha story, @Mominohio. What a neat thing for him to do. Then you have the fun of "pulling together" the elements that please you.

I love old silver. I have a small set of sterling flatware. Now that I'm older and taste has evolved, I wish I had chosen an antique pattern instead of Reed and Barton's 18th century. I love the lines of it, but it doesn't have the history and "mystique" of old silver.

I don't really use it either. Instead of getting a few place settings, I should have put together a collection of old silver teaspoons over time-- that, I know I would pull out and use over and over for serving coffee, etc.

Ah, the things we learn as we go along!

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Regal Bee — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 20:34:24 GMT

I occasionally like different patterns of dinnerware but I always use the same flatware pattern.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

blackhole99 — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:36:57 GMT

I would do that with vintage sterling flatware, but not SS simply because I have 2 sets of it.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Tigriss — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:37:54 GMT

I have this exact set! I love it for all the reasons the OP listed. I wanted mixed and matched, but I didn't have the time to gather it, so this set did that for me. It is heavy and well made. I read the review on the product page and didn't have the issue with "rust" as the reviewer stated. My dishes are mixed cobalt blue and white prints. I found the original set at a flea market and bought a set of Johnson Brother to go with it. There are patterns in the old set from "Japan" matches parts of the cottage print by Johnson Brothers. It all works wonderfully blended but not matchy matchy.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 23:34:26 GMT

Oh, @Tigriss, I am so glad you posted and that you have experience with the "Hotel" pattern by Wallace! It is always great to get a first hand review of a tantalizing item.

I also suspect that the picture of the place setting on QVC is not that accurate. I'm goinig to guess that the engraved parts are more prominent or noticeable in real life, and I bet that the pieces are more glossy and polished than they appear in the photo. It just doesn't look like a good picture!

Would you say it is heavy enough? I like stainless flatware that is quite heavy and substantial. Thanks in advance and love to get your opinions.

I also really like your other choices!

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

GCR18 — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 04:27:47 GMT

I guess I never gave it much thought when I purchased. I have a big set of the same pattern.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

candys mine — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 11:30:57 GMT

Sorta? I like different plates and glass ware at each place setting, But I like the same forks and spoons at each plate even though they can be different for each person. for some reason all bets are off when it comes to knives. Any one will do at any place seting. It think a variety is interesting and adds to the look of the table.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Witchy Woman — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 11:37:03 GMT

I have a similar set, and love the look.

On the table, it all blends and is fun and interesting.

It must be 10 or more years that I bought this stainless and it still looks beautiful.

I also have Francis First in sterling, but use my stainless all the time

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 11:54:54 GMT

Wow, @Witchy Woman, "Francis First" is probably THE most gorgeous of all the substantial, ornate silver patterns, in my opinion. Even if you don't use it that often, how super to have it in your tableware "arsenel"!

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

nyc1 — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:09:19 GMT

I'll do different plates, and glasses. I have a collection of about 2 dozen champagne glasses that are all different and that I put out for New Year's Eve. Never did the mix on my flatware though. It certainly sounds like a fun idea.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Witchy Woman — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 01:13:26 GMT

@Oznell

I love it too!

When I was shopping for sterling, the prices weren't so high. Maybe 15 years ago -- possibly longer.

My mother in law had acquired Old Colonial, which is much simpler and quite lovely. The bowl of the spoons have melon-like ridges. I thought it was unique.

However, when I bought a few place settings, I perceived some negative vibes from her. Maybe she thought I was on a countdown to get HER set.

So....I looked at lots of patterns and decided if I was going to spend the money, I'd get the most ornate pattern I could. Grand Baroque is also complex, but I liked the fruit on Francis First.

Admittedly, I don't use it often, but it sets a beautiful table. I am fascinated by sterling/china patterns. So much beauty! Sadly, the days of formal dining are few if any.

I should get it out and use it daily. Think I'm going to do that today!

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:23:48 GMT

Good, @Witchy Woman, glad that such a beauty is going to get some use. Love the fruit motif as well. I can fuzzily picture "Old Colonial" too. In grad school a bunch of us got interested and I studied those brochures like crazy! Even some guys got into it. One deliberated over "Francis First" and "King Richard"-- I think he finally went with "King Richard" as the more "masculine" one. It made sense for him to have a silver service since he cooked and entertained constantly...

If I were choosing now, I wouldn't select "18th Century", but it would be so hard to narrow down. I kind of like Tiffany's "Audubon", for the bird motif. But I also love so many of the interesting, heavy stainless patterns out there. It's fun to express your moods in your tableware...

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Oznell — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:26:05 GMT

@nyc1, I really like the idea of all your differing champagne glasses. That's a great, versatile shape too, because you can also use them to serve fancy little desserts, mousse, etc.

Re: Do You Deliberately Combine Different Flatware Patterns in One Setting?

Tigriss — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 23:12:16 GMT

Here is a good picture. It is nice and shiny. The pieces are substantial and do not bend in hard frozen ice cream! That was important to have substantial flatware. They are heavy but not so that you don't want to pick them up. The heft is one of quality and assurance that they won't bend when you are cutting or scooping. They get great reviews on Amazon, which is where I got them for $101 with Prime shipping. Amazon has the better deal by far.

I love it. I didn't have any of the issues some of the negative reviews had, but Amazon has 227 reviews with a rating of 4.6. That is pretty darned good.