Whether your home is bright and vibrant or clean and low key, vintage dinnerware helps set the tone for retro-friendly hospitality. As Thanksgiving, Christmas and year-end holidays approach, get your table ready for all that holiday feasting. (We can even help you get started with the menu.) But first, browse these vintage collections.
1. You’ll want to have a party with a dish set that fits the theme. The Fiesta line includes many colors from rose to forest green to turquoise. Full vintage dinnerware sets can be expensive. However, if you’re not looking to splurge on the vintage items, Fiesta is still producing designs similar to the vintage ones.
2. Give your table a burst of color. One of the most popular modern dinnerware sets comes from Gladding, McBean & Co. in the Franciscan dinnerware set. The atomic patterns include Starburst and Contours. Starburst is probably the most well known for its unique pattern that has an obvious retro vibe. Contours is made up of interestingly shaped dishes with delicate artistic decals in the middle. The dining room in our featured image uses these dishes to great effect, both in the hutch and on the beautifully set table. (Note how the napkin and placemat colors coordinate perfectly with the pops of color on the plate.)
3. Mix and match with a Russel Wright dish set. Russel Wright produced a line of dinnerware that comes in several colors and is meant to be rearranged. One of the most famous pieces is the American Modern Tall Pitcher.
4. If you’re looking for something that can be used for any occasion, Syracuse China is the way to go. What makes this dinnerware so universal is that it creates a casual, yet elegant place setting by combining straight edges with round corners. The Midcentury Modern patterns include “Evening Star” and “Jubilee Atomic Star.”
5. Think outside the lines. Eva Zeisel produced a set of dinnerware that stands out from the rest. In response to the Mid Century Modern emphasis on linear shapes, Zeisel created round dishware sets that are reflective of organic shapes. Browse more at Eva Zeisel Originals to complete your set with her famous, curvilinear sauce boat and more!
6. Metlox has a set for every style. Metlox opened up in 1921 as “Proutyline Products,” selling architectural tiles. Poppytrail and Vernonware were divisions of Metlox, offering lots of midcentury dishware designs from roosters to the Sculptured Zinnia collection.
7. Give a playful nod to the star of the feast, the turkey, with these vintage turkey plates with their earthy, chocolate-colored rim and lovely detail.
Looking for more Mid Century Modern hosting and entertaining ideas for the holidays? We’ve got you covered. Check out A Vintage Holiday Meal and Holiday Cookies Fit for an MCM Home. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
