There’s nothing we don’t love about throwing a good old-fashioned dinner party. Planning the menu. Choosing a tablescape: Flowers? Candles? Both? And where we really shine is in our tableware presentation. Having classic dinnerware and tabletop collections in your cupboard, along with some novelty pieces to switch out from season to season, creates endless possibilities. So, after the guest list has been written and the hors d’oeuvres dreamt up, set aside time to mix and match your placemats, glasses, silverware and plates. If you’re at all like us, you may find it’s the most fun part of the party planning process.

You can’t go wrong with an assortment of outdoor-friendly melamine plates and bowls. Our extremely durable collections look just like ceramic or china but resist breaking, scratching and chipping. So you don’t have to hold your breath every time a plate gets too close to the edge of a table.

ADD SOME TEXTURE

If bright colors don’t suit you, experiment with slightly textured dinnerware and napkins. Even in subtle tones, the intricate designs make for a polished presentation. Bonus points for including a textured napkin ring.

SIMPLE & CHIC

If you’re attempting to mix and match for the first time, keep things simple. Classic white bowls or plates layered against patterned chargers make an impactful presentation. Tie in a patterned napkin and your guests are sure to be impressed with your styling skills.

Now that you’re feeling inspired, show us how you mix and match tableware at your next gathering by following @frontgate and sharing your photos with #frontgate.