Photography: Con Poulos / Styling: Nonci Nyoni
One of life’s simple pleasures is a long meal, shared with loved ones with stylish dinner sets. It’s the kind of affair where every mouthful is savoured, the conversation is stimulating and the whole soiree takes place around a beautifully layered tablescape that echoes the tone of the gathering. Getting these formalities right is a bit like learning a mathematical formula. Practise and you’ll never forget it. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, afternoon tea or simply looking for quality dinnerware to withstand daily use, this handbook will serve you well. Finally, all that’s left to do is set the table.
The most common dinnerware materials explained
Plates, bowls and cups or mugs are something we use and touch every day so it makes sense to have pieces that are a pleasure to use and hold. Discover what distinguishes bone china from porcelain and other popular tableware.
| Bone china | This traditional ceramic combines porcelain clay with animal bone ash. The result is lightweight, translucent tableware that’s strong and resistant to chips. It’s also dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe. Want a similar result without the animal by-product? Try fine china. |
| Porcelain | Slightly thicker than bone china, porcelain is ideal for daily and formal settings, blending beauty with practicality. It’s durable, despite its delicate appearance, and most designs, such as Maxwell & Williams’ White Basics collection, are dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe. |
| Stoneware | Often used in casual settings due to its thicker and more rustic appeal, stoneware is another fired ceramic. It can be finished with high-gloss, matte or satin glazing and is usually dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe.. |
| Earthenware | Earthenware is similar to stoneware, but is less durable. |
| Melanine | This informal dinnerware is made from a specialised plastic resin and as such, it’s harder to break – perfect for children. Melamine is also BPA-free, but is largely unsuitable for microwaves and ovens. |
The essential pieces in a basic dinner set
If you’re looking to start a dinnerware collection, seek out pieces that can serve a dual purpose. “My essentials are dinner and dessert plates, and a soup bowl,” says Stephanie Conley Buhre, food and lifestyle content creator known online as The Hostess. “I find these versatile, as the dessert plate can be used for entrees and the soup bowl is good for pudding-like desserts, small pasta and entree dishes as well.”
Shop the essential dinner sets
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics Diamonds’ dinner set
$159.95/set of 12, Myer.
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics European Rim’ dinner set
$109.95/set of 12, Myer.
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics Tribeca’ coupe dinner set
$109.95/set of 12, Myer.
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics Fitzrovia’ coupe dinner set
$139.95/set of 16, Myer.
The best dinner set for a casual event
Fortunately, you don’t need multiple dinner sets to match different moods. Another way to signify the tone of your event is with linens and tablescaping. “If I’m having a casual event, the table usually has rattan placemats instead of a linen tablecloth,” says Stephanie. “I also use linen napkins. This immediately feels more casual and relaxed.”
The best dinner set for a formal party
For a polished soiree, Stephanie finds that mother knows best. “For a formal dinner with three courses, I set the table as my mother taught me, starting with an entree fork and knife on the outer and a main fork and knife on the inner edges of the dinner plate. I place the dessert spoon or fork at the top of the plate, laying it horizontally.” To take some of the stress out of hosting, Stephanie recommends serving a dessert that can be made the day before, such as tiramisu or chocolate mousse. “For a main, choose something you’re confident with,” she adds.
Why white dinner sets aren’t basic or boring
White dinnerware is versatile and pairs beautifully with much more than napery and accessories – white ceramics also form the perfect base for food. “Busy prints and colours are not very complementary to food styling,” says Stephanie. “A white dinner set helps show off your food in the most desirable way.” To create extra interest with classic white tableware, Daniel Grundmann, director of sales at Maxwell & Williams suggests mixing shapes as well as silhouettes. “Combine rim plates with coupe bowls, or introduce embossed patterns.”
The best dinner set styles for minimalists and maximalists
Elevated dinnerware comes down to the little details, such as texture, shape and pattern. You’ve locked in the number of dinner sets needed and also learnt the difference between soup and dessert bowls. Now you’ll finally want to decide on your preferred dinnerware shapes.
There are self-explanatory forms, such as round, square, oval and rectangular, but there are also options such as coupe plates, which have a slightly raised rim. This makes them ideal for sauce-based dishes – think a classic Sunday roast flooded with luscious gravy. “A coupe shape can be a good option for a contemporary look,” says Daniel Grundmann, director of sales at Maxwell & Williams, who adds that coupe and organic forms are becoming increasingly popular. “Their softer, more relaxed silhouettes create a contemporary and effortless feel, making them perfect for everyday use and informal gatherings.”
This is, in part, because the rims don’t feature a little lip. Bowls and plates with this small flourish tend to suit traditional settings as they have a classic and also elegant appearance.
When it comes to your servingware and accessories, maintain cohesion with the same materials and colours, but add interest by accenting them with different forms, such as footed bowls or platters with a subtle, embossed pattern. As Daniel Grundmann, director of sales at Maxwell & Williams explains, “This can elevate the table further, making the setting feel curated rather than uniform.”
How to create a chic table setting
Stylist and expert in home and hosting Loui Burke shares his particularly helpful takes on creating a gorgeous tablescape.
1. Buy the right number of dinner sets
“I suggest you have a minimum of six to eight dinner plates, side plates and bowls. That gives you enough for everyday use, with a few in the dishwasher and a couple of spares.”
2. Set the table correctly
“For a more considered setting, I love a dinner plate, a bread plate placed to the left, and a water glass and wine glass angled on the right. I’ll usually keep to one set of cutlery, with the fork on the left and the knife on the right. The serrated edge faces towards the dinner plate.”
3. Accessorise with colour and metallics
“White dinnerware is a great foundation because you can take it in so many directions. I love using an Indian block-print tablecloth for pattern, with tonal napkins. Cutlery and napkin rings are like jewellery for the table. They don’t need to be overly decorative, but they add an accent that makes the setting feel intentional. Textured glassware is great to add contrast and depth.”
The best tea sets for everyday use and hosting
Much like a staple dinner set, a timeless tea set is also a necessity. Freshly brewed tea can constitute a morning ritual, offer the perfect way to relax at night and serve as your centrepiece when hosting informal events. “An afternoon tea or brunch is a wonderful way to entertain,” shares Stephanie. “You can create a buffet of homemade cakes, biscuits, finger sandwiches or grazing boards. Let your guests help themselves.” Keep the menu – and therefore the amount of preparation involved – as detailed or simple as you wish.
The style of your teaware can reflect your home, whether it’s modern or timeless. “Traditional teaware often features more classic and decorative silhouettes, with rounded forms, curved handles, elegant spouts and detailed accents,” says Daniel Grundmann, director of sales at Maxwell & Williams. “Contemporary teaware, by contrast, embraces cleaner lines, simplified forms and organic silhouettes.” For a complete set, pair your teapot and teacups with saucers, bread plates, a milk jug, sugar bowl and also a butter bell. Additionally, add height with a tiered cake stand.
Do teapot shapes impact brewing taste?
Just like wine, the shape of your teapot can also impact the taste of this beverage. Tea, especially loose leaf varieties, needs space to expand, so teapots with round silhouettes and large bases are perfect. Porcelain is an ideal material as it can withstand boiled water with ease and it also retains heat.
Shop the essential tea sets and accessories
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics Diamonds’ teapot
$34.95/900ml, Myer.
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics Rococo’ cup and saucer
$12.95/240ml, Myer.
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics Straight’ sugar with spoon
$11.95, Myer.
Maxwell & Williams ‘White Basics’ sugar and creamer set
$19.95/set of 2, Myer.
