Owning fine China was one of those grown-up goals I always had but saved for the day when I had a grown-up China cabinet to appropriately store them in.  Up until recently, I liked to say that Mike and I owned a bohemian dinnerware set; still cute but for the most part the dinner plates matched [at some point] and all other pieces were collected, gifted, or remnants from sets of the past.  However, I suppose that as we are now full fledged adults [and I guess have been since 18…], it was about time we inched closer toward those fine China goals.

Though not yet quite at the fine bone China level, Mike and I invested in a new set of plate wear.  As with all things decor related, my decision process took its usual laboured route and started with collecting inspirations and ideas.  My initial jump off point was a set of vintage Blue Willow China patterned tea cups + saucers that I found, last year, while antiquing in Winnipeg.  I have always loved chinoiserie and now with its increasing popularity, I easily found inspiration pics in an abundance.

[images from the pinkpagoda.com]

  [image from Martha Stewart Weddings Instagram]

Hibiscus 5pc plate setting -Wedgwood, bowl + 2 plates -Jonathan Adler, cutlery set -Cutipol Goa, ginger jars – vintage + Williams-Sonoma + Williams-Sonoma

For our plate set, I wanted to [1] keep with the blue + white colour palate and [2] ensure to keep costs within a reasonable budget.  I love the idea of mixing the Asian patterns with geometrics which was the initial inspiration I took when sourcing plates.  Yet, I ended up with something a little less geometric and a little more organic.  I like to think that it’s a deconstructed mix and match of all the inspirations I brought together.

Mike, being the chef that he is, likes his plates white.  However, me, not being the chef that I am, wanted colour.  We, somehow, found a dinner plate that we both liked.  The Strata dinner plate from Anthropologie was our winner winner chicken dinner.  I love the blue marbling on the predominately white plate accented with a gold rim.

As a big fan of the mix and match, I chose 2 different side plates to accent our marble dinner plates.  Also from Anthropologie, I found neutral-toned mineral and abstract gold accented dessert plates.

The last piece to add to our set were blue and white Japanese patterned rice bowls that I found at Homesense.  It was the perfect bowl to top off our set!

Dinner plate | Anthropologie -Strata Dinner Plate: $22 [+20% off promo!] =$17.60
Side plate 1 | Anthropologie -Mineral Dessert Plate: $16 [+20% off promo!] = $12.80
Side plate 2 | Antrhopologie -Gold Accent Dessert Plate: $26 [+20% off promo AND THEN price adjusted for itS later clearance price of $14.95 + an additional 30% off!!!!!] = $10.46
Bowl | Homesense; $5.99

APPROX TOTAL/SETTING = $40

Though a work in progress, I still have a few more pieces to pick out to complete our perfect table top but I think we are off to a good start.  Now, to decide on table top textiles.

Wish me luck!