My husband and I have a long history of dinner parties behind us. Our friends are particularly fabulous at throwing memorable shindigs (Cassie I’m looking at you), and the talking point of the night is always how amazing their table setting is.
I even become an avid collector of tableware *just in case* I ever decided to throw a proper dinner party of my own.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve all but ditched the functions, and taken up caravanning instead. Funny thing is, it’s still all about the tableware. Corelle to be precise.
Corelle, known for their super durable, easy to stack yet stylish tempered glass dinnerware, are pretty much THE BE ALL AND END ALL of dinner plates, bowls and the like, by the caravanning community. They give you homestyle glamour (so you don’t need to eat from thick, clunky plastic plates) with the practicality of being a hardwearing, non-breakable option for when the contents of your cupboards clink around during your travels. And best of all, you can also use them in your home.
So when I heard today that Corelle have released three new designs, Modena, Dalena and Florentia, I knew that the instagram food people, my caravan cohorts, and my dinner party friends, would all be keen to check them out.
And to make things even more fabulous, Corelle’s Vice President of Global Design Tania Aldous has shared with us, her five key tips for choosing and styling your tableware.
Throw the rule book out
“It’s so much more fun mixing and matching patterns and shapes today for casual dining. Many patterns can be blended together on one table, or mixed with white ware,” says Ms Aldous, an industrial designer who grew up in Australia and now works in the US.
“I particularly love starting with plain white table settings using different shapes, squares and rounds on the one table, then bringing in other patterns for bread and butter plates, serving bowls and accessories. I also love to put two table settings together and mix with vintage finds of the same colour as the patterns.”
Pick a theme, colour family or occasion
For a contemporary feel you may wish to choose a geometric design such as Corelle’s new look Modena (pictured below), inspired by natural fractals and angular contemporary elements or a particular colour.
“I love Modena’s geometric design paired with soft pink or peach colours and natural materials such as linen to juxtapose the angular lines with softer elements,” says Ms Aldous.
“It’s easy to mix and match when you have a theme in mind, then other accessories can be added such as serviettes or glassware.”
Say it with flowers
“Flowers say welcome and any flowers will dress a table, even a simple garden posy makes a meal special,” says Ms Aldous.
“While I love bright flowers, especially peonies, I’m particularly keen on succulents as table decorations for their subtle colour and intriguing shapes.
“Or you can just choose tableware with a floral pattern.
“Corelle’s Dalena pattern was inspired by a trend we called “Ethereal”, a dreamlike, watery floral on a contemporary shape. We love flowers at Corelle, we’re always exploring new ways to capture their beauty, and this design celebrates the mystery of flowers in ever popular blues and aqua colours.”
Invest in different tablecloths or table runners
“At a pinch, a long centre table runner of brown paper, or even colourful wrapping paper can be used to set the mood of the table for a special themed dinner,” says Ms Aldous.
“It can also be rolled up later and recycled.”
“Corelle’s Florentia design is inspired by travels through Spain with its classic navy colours and is perfectly paired with strong, bright coloured tablecloths and contrasting serviettes, or it can bring sophistication to outdoor dining when the setting is paired with washed natural linens, oversized Sangria pitchers and weathered cutlery.”
Choose an unusual centre piece
“You can use something from another part of the house or even use holiday travel souvenirs and build a setting around them for a special occasion,” says Ms Aldous.
“Travel finds paired with vintage silverware can become conversation starters for beautiful meals shared with friends.”
The new Corelle dinnerware designs are available through Big W nationally.
Modena 16-piece dinner set RRP $59
Dalena 16-piece dinner set RRP $89
Florentia 16-piece dinner set RRP $59
*some individual plates and bowls sold separately
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