When asked for wedding gift suggestions, think about how you will want to entertain family and friends in your home over the years. Kitchen accouterments, electronics and appliances are practical, but, says Katherine West DeFoyd, “Entertaining at home is a lifelong pursuit, so get the good stuff while you can.”
And nothing is better than fine bone china, says DeFoyd, co-author with Linda West Eckhardt of “Entertaining 101: Everything You Need to Know to Entertain With Style and Grace” (Doubleday).
Bone china actually “is stronger and tougher than a lot of the ceramics that are on the market today, she says, “so it won’t chip as easily”–even in the dishwasher, where it definitely can go, despite rumors to the contrary.
Silver gets the same rap, but DeFoyd believes it’s an everyday sort of item regardless of its extravagant image.
“Flatware pales in comparison,” DeFoyd says, so why settle for less? In addition, silver is sturdy, won’t tarnish if you use it every day and is dishwasher-safe as long as you separate it from stainless (which, she says, can scratch silver).
Fine crystal is a true splurge, says DeFoyd, who didn’t complete her own set when she married six years ago and is still lusting for more of the primo variety.
“I’m using the cheap stuff for now,” she says, “but haven’t stopped hoping. I compensate with great china and silver.”
This proves her point that “the good stuff” really does make a difference on the table–plus, DeFoyd says, these traditional trappings will never go out of style, and can be mixed and matched with other pieces, old or new.
She pairs her own Royal Worcester china with bold contemporary plates by Gien for salads and Victorian plates for dessert, while her silver makes even simple meals seem decorous.
Just think what she–and you–could do with fine crystal.
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Resources: Weddings ’98 (Magazine, Page 41)
Pg. 32: Crystal (from left): “Amadeus” crystal glass by Saint-Louis, $65, at Neiman Marcus; “Glen Plaid” crystal glass by Ralph Lauren, $52, at Marshall Field’s; “Capri” by Baccarat crystal glass, $90, at Tiffany & Co.
China (bottom to top): Celebration cup and saucer, $60, at Tiffany & Co.; Persia cup and saucer, $50, and Oberon cup and saucer, $58, both by Wedgwood, at Nordstrom, Marshall Field’s and Waterford/Wedgwood shop.
Silver (from left): Perles knife by Christofle, $125, at Marshall Field’s; Palmette knife by Tiffany, $110, at Tiffany & Co.; Royal knife by Puiforcat, $365, at Neiman Marcus; Acorn knife by Georg Jensen, $215, at Marshall Field’s; Renaissance knife by Christofle, $455, at Tiffany & Co.
Linen: In crystal photo, ivory linen place mat, $12.50, at Neiman Marcus; in china photo, ivory linen place mat with organza trim, $40, and white linen place mat, $12.50, at Neiman Marcus; in silver photo, ivory linen place mat, $12.50, at Neiman Marcus.
