Modern Tableware: Plates And Bowls

Contemporary plates and bowls are a great way to add a touch of modern style to your dining table. Whether you're looking for a simple and understated design or something more bold and colourful, there are plenty of options to choose from.

For a sleek and modern look, you can opt for plates and bowls with clean lines, free-form edges, or square shapes. These can be found in various materials such as porcelain, stoneware, and melamine. If you're looking for something more unique, you can explore handmade ceramic options from small pottery studios, which offer a wide range of glazes, colours, and textures.

When choosing contemporary plates and bowls, it's important to consider not only the design but also the functionality. Look for pieces that are dishwasher and microwave safe, and choose shapes and sizes that are suitable for the types of meals you typically serve.

Whether you're dressing up your dinner table for a formal occasion or simply enjoying a weeknight family dinner, contemporary plates and bowls can elevate your dining experience and bring a touch of style to your mealtime.

Porcelain

Choosing the Right Porcelain Dinnerware

When selecting porcelain plates and bowls, consider the following:

• Design: Opt for a simple, understated design that can easily complement any tablescape. Look for pieces with clean lines, subtle details, or interesting shapes like angled rims or rounded edges.
• Color: White porcelain is a versatile choice, but contemporary designs also offer a range of muted or earthy tones like grey, beige, and pastel shades. Consider how food will look on the plates and choose a color that enhances your dining experience.
• Glaze: A glossy glaze adds elegance, while a matte finish offers a modern, minimalist look. Some porcelain pieces also feature a reactive glaze, creating unique swirls or speckles on each piece.
• Shape: The shape of your plates and bowls can vary from sleek and angular to softly curved. Consider the depth of bowls, as some may be too shallow or too deep for certain foods.
• Size: Choose plates and bowls that are comfortable to hold and use. Larger plates and wider bowls may be more versatile, but consider your storage space and whether you can easily carry a stack of dishes.
• Sets or Open Stock: Buying dinnerware as open stock allows you to customize your collection and easily replace pieces. Look for sets that offer a good range of essentials, including dinner plates, salad/dessert plates, and cereal bowls.

Caring for Your Porcelain Dinnerware

To ensure your porcelain dinnerware lasts for years to come:

• Check the manufacturer's instructions for care and maintenance.
• Most porcelain dinnerware is dishwasher and microwave safe, but always verify before use.
• Avoid subjecting your dinnerware to extreme temperature changes, such as placing cold dishes in the oven or hot dishes in the refrigerator.
• Handle your dinnerware with care, retrieving plates from the top of a stack to avoid scratching or breaking.

Examples of Contemporary Porcelain Dinnerware

• Crate and Barrel Aspen Rimmed Dinnerware: This budget-friendly porcelain set offers a classic design with slightly angled rims. It includes plates, bowls, mugs, and teacups, all in a simple, timeless style.
• Iittala Teema Collection: Designed by Kaj Franck in 1952, this mid-century modern collection features angular shapes based on basic geometric forms. The high rims on the plates make this set particularly adaptive and functional.
• Kinto Porcelain CLK-151 Collection: This Japanese porcelain set offers a rustic yet modern aesthetic with angular plates, bowls, and mugs. The sandstone porcelain has a unique, earthy look, and the pieces are sold as open stock, allowing for mix-and-match customization.
• Jars Cantine Collection: Handmade in France, this elegant collection has a white clay body and a soft, muted color palette. The glossy glaze and angled plate lips make this set stand out, offering a sophisticated contemporary style.
• Bennington Potters Classic Dinnerware: This colorful, fully glazed stoneware set is a homey, retro-style collection introduced in the 1960s. It features slanted rims and a range of monochromatic glaze options, including solid colors and splatterware designs.

Whether you're looking for a simple, understated set or something with a unique contemporary twist, porcelain dinnerware offers a versatile and durable option for your table.

Stoneware

Jono Pandolfi 4-Piece Place Setting Bundle

Jono Pandolfi is a renowned ceramicist who founded his eponymous tableware brand, supplying dinnerware to top restaurants and TV shows like *The Bear*. His stoneware is versatile and understated, never upstaging the food. The Coupe collection combines unglazed and glazed stoneware for a unique yet casual look. Each set includes six entrée plates, salad plates, Alaska bowls, and cereal bowls, with the option to purchase additional serving platters and bowls. The stoneware is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

East Fork 7-Piece You're-All-Set Set

East Fork is known for its simple yet timeless designs, and its 7-piece dinnerware set is no exception. The set includes a mug, dinner plate, side plate, cake plate, everyday bowl, breakfast bowl, and bitty bowl. Each piece is glazed in one of East Fork's signature ultra-pigmented hues, with a contrasting rim and subtle speckling. The stoneware is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. East Fork also frequently releases limited-edition glazes, so you can grow your collection over time.

Hawkins New York Essential Stoneware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set

This 16-piece stoneware set from Hawkins New York is both versatile and elegant, transitioning seamlessly from fine dining to casual breakfast tables. The set includes four dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and cereal bowls. The plates are large and flat, perfect for experimenting with high-end plating techniques, while the low and wide pasta bowls are ideal for dishes like ramen or beef bourguignon. The stoneware has a handmade quality, with soft ripples on the surface, and comes in six stunning shades that mix and match beautifully. The set is dishwasher- and microwave-safe and oven-safe up to 450°F.

West Elm Kanto Stoneware Dinnerware

West Elm's Kanto collection offers the appeal of bespoke stoneware from your favourite ceramicist, without the hefty price tag. Designed in Portugal, the stoneware features uneven edges, a textured exterior, and delicate foot. Each set includes four small bowls, pasta bowls, dinner plates, and salad plates, with a selection of reactive glazes in classic white, moody blue, dusty black, and rich cardamom. The pieces are generously sized, with a nice weight and depth, and are both dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Pottery Barn Dinnerware Set

Pottery Barn is a go-to destination for durable tabletop pieces, and their Nico dinnerware set is a testament to that. The set includes four dinner plates, salad plates, and soup bowls, characterised by a timeless, classic aesthetic with a subtle grey and brown glaze. The plates feature a slight lip, perfect for keeping food in place. The stoneware is durable and dishwasher- and microwave-safe. While the set does not include any coordinating serving pieces, its simple design allows it to pair well with any tray or casserole dish.

Ceramic

Handmade and Rustic Ceramic Dinnerware

For a unique and rustic look, handmade ceramic dinnerware offers an imperfect beauty with its irregular shapes and hand-painted designs. These pieces often feature earthy tones and organic shapes, adding a warm and inviting feel to your table. You can find such pieces on Etsy, with options like the 'Uranus' collection, which is perfect for patio dining, or the Moonlight Collection, which includes white ceramic dinnerware with a simple yet elegant design.

Modern and Minimalist Ceramic Dinnerware

If you prefer a more modern and minimalist aesthetic, there are plenty of ceramic options to choose from. Wayfair offers a 12-piece stoneware dinnerware set with a minimalist design and a handmade speckled pattern. This set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and cereal bowls, providing service for four people. For something bolder, their Latitude Run® collection features an eclectic mix-and-match design with radiant sundial patterns and embossed micro polka dots.

Colourful and Artistic Ceramic Dinnerware

Elegant and Luxurious Ceramic Dinnerware

With so many options available, you can find the perfect contemporary ceramic plates and bowls to suit your style and elevate your dining experience.

Earthenware

Many earthenware dinnerware sets are made from stoneware, a durable material that often features a rustic or handmade look. Stoneware is microwave and dishwasher-safe, making it a convenient option for those who want low-maintenance dinnerware. Some popular designs include speckled glazes, matte finishes, and organic shapes.

For those who want something more eye-catching, there are earthenware sets with colourful glazes and decorative rims. These sets can add a unique touch to your dining experience and are perfect for those who want their dinnerware to be a conversation starter.

If you're looking for a more formal option, bone china or porcelain dinnerware sets are also available in earthenware. These sets often have a sophisticated and elegant appearance, making them perfect for special occasions.

When choosing earthenware dinnerware, it's important to consider the size and shape of the plates and bowls. Some sets offer a variety of plate and bowl sizes, while others may only include one or two options. It's also worth noting that not all sets include mugs, so if you're looking for a complete dinnerware set, be sure to check what's included.

Overall, earthenware dinnerware is a versatile and durable option that can suit a variety of needs and styles. Whether you're looking for something simple and sophisticated or unique and eye-catching, there's sure to be an earthenware dinnerware set that's perfect for you.

Bone China

Durability

Appearance

Maintenance

Sets

Price

Frequently asked questions