Let’s talk about getting your dishes, glasses and silverware prepped and ready. You know, all of a sudden, the thought comes in your head that “now” is the moment you want to grab these items and get them out of the kitchen, keeping them in plain sight to prepare your table when you’re ready. So, let’s plan ahead, especially when ten people are surrounding you with offers to help (one can dream!)
I think the word “zone” is the operative word here. As we know, the kitchen goes into full production mode when we are prepping for our entertaining events. This image is probably a great “don’t” image to illustrate how your countertop space will NOT work for you. Anything and everything is crowded on the countertop, breeding chaos. What to do?
Plan ahead for staging areas. Put an extra, portable, table to use nearby to the kitchen, where you can just quickly move your dishes and other items into this staging “zone.” For optimal storage ease and protection, consider using china protectors or decorative, yet functional boxes for platters and other items during the year, which can be put into service to protect dishes from chips, dust protection, and allow easy transport quickly from Point A to Point B. 
I confess to a weakness for dishes and glasses. I like to pick up interesting tableware, usually, for some reason, when I’m on vacation. For some reason, I tend to buy interesting shapes with a simple, usually, textured pattern, of one color. This makes it very easy to mix and match later on, especially with a patterned tablecloth. I also like colored glasses, usually some sort of amber, and have a couple of sets of amber glasses. Colored glasses add a richness to an already patterned table, or a strong element to a more minimalist table theme. Try mixing highly textured glasses or dishes with, say, a simple, single colored, table cloth for a strong contrast and a smooth/textured sort of look. Both the smooth item and the textured item will “pop” as we designers like to say. One will complement the other.
As I’ve said before…there is no right or wrong. Choose your tableware to match, blend, or purposely differ from one another. It’s all good. And, enjoy all of these posts, such great advice, here from the bloggers. I’m taking notes!
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1. I’m trying to find cake pans but your on line shopping is to hard for a dummy like me to figure out sorry
by linda — 11/6/08 at 2:16 pm #
2. Hi Linda,
At this time HomeGoods does not offer a service of online shopping. However, we may in the future and suggest signing up for HomeGoods emails to keep you up to date.
Thanks,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 11/6/08 at 5:41 pm #
3. I am looking for Lefton China serving plates. Prefer Brown fruit plate design w/ rattan handle. It is numbered on the bottom and is registered w/ U.S. Pat. Office.
Thanks,
Joe
by Joe — 11/9/08 at 8:41 am #
4. Hi Joe,
Thanks for submitting a comment to Openhouse, the new HomeGoods blog.
We understand that you have been trying to locate plates. As an off price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise, In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the plates, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. We would be happy to provide you with store locations in your area. If you would like a store list, please call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 11/10/08 at 12:16 pm #
5. I am looking for Dario Farrucci design christmas mugs with a christmas tree on both side of the mug
by Kim — 12/13/08 at 4:47 pm #
6. Hi Kim
Thank you for contacting HomeGoods.
We understand that you have been trying to locate some mugs. As an off-price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise. In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the mugs, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. We would be happy to provide you with store locations in your area. If you would like a store list, please e-mail us back, or call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776.
Sincerely,
JoAnn
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 12/15/08 at 3:04 pm #
7. I am trying to find some silverware, a western look to it ? made by ‘Allie & Cesca”
by diane — 12/29/08 at 4:54 pm #
8. Hi Diane,
Thanks for submitting a comment to Openhouse, the new HomeGoods blog.
We understand that you have been trying to locate silverware. As an off price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise, In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the silverware, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. We would be happy to provide you with store locations in your area. If you would like a store list, please call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 12/29/08 at 5:43 pm #
9. Hi – I just found out that Allie & Cesca is a part of Rossana inc. Here is a link to their website: http://www.rosannainc.com
Hope it helps.
Tamisha
by Tamisha — 9/16/09 at 9:25 pm #