Image courtesy of cx_ed (sxc.hu)
Consider this. If one hundred people were asked what good food is, it shouldn’t be surprising that some would answer “food is only as good as what it’s served on/in.” How something is presented plays a large part in how it is received. That’s why one of my favorite ways to present a meal is through a collection of odd saucers, bowls, mugs and platters.
Their varying shapes, colors, and how they are fashioned not only lend special character and ambiance to a dinner, but also provide an opportunity to dip into the world of reusable items and experience the great potential that exists when it comes to serving food.
Some of you may already be familiar what I’m talking about. But if you’ve always settled for generic serving dishes, why not try to find other more lively ones to add flavor to the next get-together? Choosing what fits your tastes can be a big decision – but the hunt for those perfect pieces of irregular tableware will be the most enjoyable part of the journey. For starters, here are a few helpful tips on where to begin the search.
Image courtesy of gooneybird (sxc.hu)
- In the family: If you’ve ever done serious house cleaning and had to empty out the family home you know what kind of tchotchkes can be lurking there. Hand-me-downs make excellent crockery and since it’s coming from the family, that extra personal history is an added incentive to go fishing through boxes in attics and basements. The grandparent’s home is also a prime location to surf through those old antique custom cabinets and secretaries that haven’t been touched in years for the purpose of reusing glass and other ceramics.
- Yard sales: If you go to a yard sale and don’t see plates, basins, or cups: it’s not a genuine yard sale. A true yard sale is one of the greatest places to put together an entire kitchen of reusables, so picking out a few key items for serving shouldn’t be much of a problem.
- Local artists, mom and pop shops, and county fairs: If you’re looking for something specific, these are some worthwhile places to find amazing decorative pieces of earthenware and ceramics. Like glass, pottery can end up being square, rectangular, long, thin, and oval shaped. That’s one of the reasons it makes for intriguing serving instruments for soup, dips, or drinks.
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Image courtesy of LotusHead (sxc.hu)
Broken Sets: Families often go through at least two sets of dishes during their lifetime together. When the new one comes along, don’t be so quick to get rid of the old set. You may find juxtaposing parts of it with the latest purchase brings out a whole new element you didn’t know existed before.
- Gifts: Ever received pottery or glass as gifts and didn’t know what to do with it? After years of this accidental collection sitting on a shelf collecting dust, I decided to use it for serving. They turned out to be a big hit with the guests.
Finally, I’d like to stress that whatever you find it doesn’t have to be made of expensive porcelain or some rare alloy. It can be worth a dollar and still be a good fit – the whole point is trying to be resourceful while spicing up the table and giving the food more allure.
Jakob
Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com, a growing community of users sharing and monitoring home improvement projects allowing homeowners and contractors to get the most from their resources. He covers various home improvement topics including kitchen remodeling and remodeling contractors .
