While you may have inherited fine china from a relative or received a set as a wedding present, inevitably pieces will go missing or will suffer damage.  In the past, these pieces were difficult to replace.  Today it’s easy to get online to find the missing piece, especially on eBay.  Still, you may not always find the perfect match.  This guide will show you how to mix replacement pieces with those you already have, and add flavor (no pun intended!) to your table.

Below are a few ways to mix and match your china and everyday dishes, using a few tricks.  It’s easy once you get the hang of it, and will make your table look fun, eclectic and varied.

One thing to keep in mind is the use of color and maker.  Using the same color scheme on each item will help maintain a flow of color, even though the patterns are different.  When you begin mixing china, start by using the same maker of china.  Once you get used to mixing china, you’ll find other makers to mix into your settings. 

This example uses three patterns from Noritake.  They all have gold trim, and embossed white and gold designs. 

The dinner plate is Courtney, the salad plate is Barrington and the bread plate is Duetto.  Note how the plates with the swirls are kept apart, with the straighter lines of the Barrington salad plate between them.  The setting would look unbalanced with two different swirl patterns next to each other.  The knife and fork are silverplate Community Stainless.
 

In this example, several Dansk plates create an informal setting.  Although all plates are by Dansk, they come from three different lines.  The dinner and the salad plates are from the Bistro line, and the bread plate is by Dansk Flora.

Here all plates have a white base and lines in navy.  The lines are broken up by the small swag design in the center of the bread plate.
 

Here is a formal place setting using the dinner plate by Miksasa (United States) in the Prelude pattern.  It has a soft gray rim, platinum trim and white in the center.  The salad plate is porcelain by Apilco (France).  The bread and butter plate is by Hakusan (Japan).  The transparent dots on the bread plate echo the gray of the Mikasa plate.  The flatware that accompanies this setting is Oneida in the Kennett Square pattern.
 

In this example below, I create an Asian-themed setting, using a dinner plate from Pottery Barn in the Crackle pattern, and a lunch plate with transparent rice designs from China.  Note how the cream-colored forks (by Orleans Stainless Japan) complement the blue in the plates.
 

Finally, for a modern look with a fun twist, set your table with square plates with soft rounded corners in vibrant colors.  Here I used inexpensive dinner and salad plates by Gibson, a Vista Alegre bowl from Portugal, with J.A. Henckels (Germany) dinner and salad forks in the Manor pattern.  The blue in the Vista Alegre bowl echoes the blue of the salad plate and the green in the bowl complements the green dinner plate.
 

By mixing up your place settings, you can relieve the stress of a piece that matches exactly, and offer a bit of character to your table.  Use the same color families or colors that complement each other.  Mix clean, straight lines with swirls and swags for balance and variety.  To see a variety of china and other dish types, and flatware, visit my store at SeattleAttic.