The Edit: Party perfect platters
You can never have enough kitchen ceramics in my book (or alliteration for that matter)
Last year it was a star-shaped bowl. The year before that, a lovely long oval-shaped dish with a hand-thrown look to it. Then there’s a great-sized rounded plate with ridge detail around the edge and a deep bowl with handles that’s ideal for crisps. And don’t even ask about the wealth of wooden boards I’ve accumulated. Each year, I add to the stack of platters in my kitchen cupboard, and it’s usually around this time of year as we fill our diaries with parties and get-togethers. Hosting = crockery.
While this type of serveware may not grace the table each day, it’s nice to have a collection you can call upon when the time for entertaining does come along (or if you’re feeling fancy and want to decant your share bag on a weekend). I think a nice mix of serving crockery feels put together and can instantly elevate a table setup.
I’m not a matching set kind of girl either. A mix and match approach adds interest and means that you can gradually build up a unique collection that’s very personal to you and where you might have been/shopped to establish it. For example, I have a set of nibble bowls that were a gift alongside an invitation to be my friend’s bridesmaid. They’ll always remind me of that, even when crammed with olives or salted nuts. If you do want a more cohesive feel, keep to a similar colour palette or style of ceramics, even if they are bought as separates.
If you’re hosting this season or are simply partial to a bit of crockery, this month’s edit is for you. I’ve scoured the ‘shelves’ to bring you my roundup of party perfect platters. Now where are those crisps?
Party perfect platters to up your table game
First up, I have to say I love this one. Any ceramics on a pedestal have my attention and this stylish cake stand is a beauty. Yes, it’s a cake stand, but there’s no reason you can’t use it to present nibbles, a selection of mince pies or pile it high with a delicious side dish. I’d be tempted to have it out on the kitchen counter and put my bananas on it – or satsumas for a seasonal twist.
Speaking of multi-purpose platters, this one would be a fun addition to a wall for decoration. Yep, plates as art isn’t just for cottages or your granny’s house. It’ll bring a little colour (and joy, natch) to the table too.
When terrazzo first became a ‘thing’ again a few years ago, I wasn’t convinced. Now, I’m coming around somewhat. A little accent here and I can live with it, I reckon. This platter would elevate an otherwise simple tableware setup to trendy levels. I do like the lip around the edge. You could serve a giant portion of dip – you can never have enough of that in my opinion.
I rather enjoy pulling out my own star-shaped bowl when December comes around. While truthfully stars wouldn’t look out of place year round, I think it’s nice to designate some crockery to the festive season.
If you do fancy going full-on festive, my advice would be to invest in a really lovely piece that you’ll look forward to using for many years to come, even passing it down through the generations. We are quite the pottery experts here in England, so you need only look to the Midlands – specifically Stoke on Trent – for some of the best collectibles and beautifully timeless tableware. This Spode platter could easily form part of a Christmas tradition.
White will always be classic, so up the ante with shape instead. A ruffle edge is tactile and inviting. What would you put on this one?
A spenny option, but cost per use would soon come down with a platter that is perfect for parties and also ideal for day-to-day dining. This Jonathan Adler creation – who began his career as a potter – reminds me of a traditional tea tray but way more elegant. The points of the oval-like shape act like handles so you could serve hot food from this and make a stylish transfer to the table.
Picking up a colour thread is the best way to combine different styles of crockery for a mix and match approach that still works together. Multi-coloured options will give you a wider palette to work with so you can change up your combinations every time you host. Which, if you love crockery like me, is a great excuse to add to a collection. Using the platter below as an example, you could pick up the pastels or go more glam with a golden ‘thread’. I can imagine this working well for summer entertaining too.
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Love all of this lovely x
So true, we have collected over the years, only the other day did we used cake stand for nibbles! We also use old samples as boards as they great textures and saves them being thrown away!