Decorators Address Book is a monthly series in which our Interior Design team finds out where designers like to browse and shop for their projects. Each edition focuses on a different element of home decor to bring you the best expert-recommended stores.
Tableware is of course crucial to a successful and chic tablescape and with the holidays just around the corner, ensuring your crockery collection is up to hosting is key. Plates, bowls, and platters are all hardworking staples, but pick ones that look beautiful too and you can double these essentials as decor.
But where are the best places to shop for chic, practical, hardwearing tableware? We asked interior designers for their go-to spots that ensure a beautiful tablescape no matter what the occasion.
1. Vicky Charles
Vicky Charles, director of Charles & Co.
'When it comes to curating the perfect table setting, we know that the devil is in the details. We often turn to Abask, who offers an exquisite selection of plates, bowls, and serving pieces that blend timeless elegance with an organic, natural finish. The unique textures and muted tones of Abask's collections provide the perfect canvas for creating relaxed yet elevated dining experiences, something we champion in our designs.'
'For an opulent touch, we also turn to RW Guild, a true haven for those who appreciate a more eclectic sensibility. Known for its curated assortment of globally sourced artisanal pieces, often hand-thrown and glazed in rich, earthy tones, offers a conversation-starting mix of craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics.'
'Equally beloved by our design studio Il Buco Vita, where vintage-inspired glassware and luxe table linens elevate every occasion. From handblown glass pitchers to intricately embroidered napkins, Together, these destinations shape the studio’s signature style – where beauty and functionality converge in every piece.'
2. Emily Ward and Louisa Pierce
Emily Ward and Louisa Pierce, founders of Pierce and Ward
'We love to purchase tableware for clients based on their personalities and lifestyles and we love to mix antique and vintage with new as well as high and low. Staying power is important and we are impressed when something can stand the test of time and lots of use.'
'Some of our go-to brands are: Heath Ceramics for plates and bowls, Studio Ford for cotton napkins and tablecloths, and Jean Dubost Laguiole Steak knives, especially with brass instead of wood.'
3. Alexia Sheinman
Alexia Sheinman, Chief Strategy Officer Pembrooke & Ives
Alexia Sheinman began as an interior designer and is now the chief strategy officer at Pembrooke & Ives. She lists a few of the studio's top favorite stores when creating beautiful dining spaces:
Mary Mahoney stocks a selection of high-end brands, from Hermes to Bernardaud. It's the ideal store if you're looking to create a refined and elegant table fit for all types of occasion. For a more contemporary look, MAX ID is filled with uniquely fun geometric table pieces that bring interest and variety to a typical tablescape. Alexia also names Abask as a firm favorite for tableware and David Mellor. The latter is the perfect store for porcelain from across the globe, ranging from England to Italy.
4. Paige Wassel
Paige Wassel, director of Paige Wassel
'Tableware is one of my all-time favorite things to thrift. Vintage cutlery, etched coupes, everyday drinking glasses, hand-fired bowls, and plates with artisan stamps on the bottom – all the things. I have a plethora of Etsy shops I am always scouring. I also love Japanese handmade ceramics. And I do have a few go-to options for new and a bit more pricey options as well. However, I am the girl at the party who will break a glass, so I tend to lean toward more affordable finds.'
5. Laura Lubin
Laura Lubin, principle designer and owner of Ellerslie Interiors
'When it comes to elevating any dining experience I have two go-to sources. The first being Sasha Nicholas. It is always my top pick for their absolutely stunning handcrafted tableware. Their chargers and dinner plates are beautifully detailed with intricate designs that feel timeless yet fresh – pieces you’ll cherish for years to come. The quality is unmatched, and they have a way of instantly elevating any tablescape, whether it’s a holiday feast or a casual gathering.'
'For linens and napkins, Hudson Grace is always my go-to. Their rich, saturated colors bring so much depth and character to a table, tying everything together effortlessly. Whether you’re layering textures or playing with seasonal palettes, their linens add that perfect finishing touch.'
6. Gideon Mendelson
Gideon Mendelson, Founder and Creative Director of Mendelson Group
'There is a range of options for stunning tableware depending on your needs. For something more formal, I love Bergdorf Goodman, Bernardaud, and Christofle. For a more casual or everyday occasion, I recommend Heath Ceramics, Mondays in Brooklyn, Wilcoxson in Brooklyn, and Camille at the Wheel in NYC. If you're looking for something more affordable, Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel offer some beautiful options.'
7. Dan Mazzarini
Dan Mazzarini, Principal and Creative Director of BHDM Design and ARCHIVE
'I am a sucker for some splatterware, and some of the best in the biz is from March SF. I always look to Ralph Lauren for timeless stemware, but CB2 is another great option for bang-for-your-buck tumblers and glasses for everyday use.'
'When it comes to place settings, I love to mix and match some modern cutlery – Wayfair has a nice selection – with vintage and antique finds for an elevated, lived-in feel. Textiles for a tabletop are important, and I love a linen napkin for day-to-day. Just don’t forget to starch and iron them. I find it to be pretty soothing!'
'Don’t overlook lighting either. We love the smoked hurricanes from March SF, and stole the look from some of our favorite restaurants by using portable, skinny table lamps for a tap-on tap-off option at our wedding this Fall!'
8. Kathy Kuo
Kathy Kuo, founder of Kathy Kuo Home
'I may be biased, but I always turn to our assortment here at Kathy Kuo Home when I'm in need of tableware – dishes, glassware, linens, and flatware – for a design project, as well as for gifts and for my own home! The KKH tableware collection features beautiful options across an array of styles, materials (we have everything from melamine to crystal and glass to porcelain to pewter), and beloved tableware vendors (including Simon Pearce, Juliska, Vietri, Villeroy & Boch, L'Objet, and more).'
9. Kishani Perara
Kishani Perara, founder of Kishani Perara
'For tableware and candle sticks I love TABLE ART, Bergdorf Goodman, Artemest, Il Buco, and Sharland England. No table is complete without adding a special family piece or something vintage in the mix! Etsy and eBay are a great source, as well as Chairish and 1stDibs.'
10. Darren Henault
Darren Henault, founder of Darren Henault Interiors
'One of my absolute favorite places to shop for table and servewear is Julia B. Casa in Florence. Their embroidery patterns and appliqué are spectacular – perfect for elevating any table setting. While you can shop their collections online, nothing beats experiencing the vibrant, beautifully chaotic atmosphere of their store in person. It's a true celebration of Italian craftsmanship.'
'If I'm staying closer to home, I turn to E. Braun on Park Avenue. Their selection is timeless and luxurious, ideal for creating a refined tablescape. I also have a massive collection of dishes, including Herend's Rothschild, Fischcale, and Chinese Bouquet patterns, as well as Royal Crown Derby's Midori Meadow. I love mixing and matching these sets to create a unique and layered look.'
'As for glassware, I've collected pieces from around the world, but I have a particular fondness for my Lobmeyr water glasses from Vienna. Their paper-thin elegance is unmatched and adds a subtle touch of sophistication to any table.'
11. Gray Walker
Gray Walker, founder and director of Gray Walker Interiors
'I tend to keep my table linens simple like a linen hem stitch tablecloth and napkins with a hint of Christmas embroidery. I create a new tablescape each year that evolves from a decoration, like these silver trees with a garden-inspired centerpiece.'
'I love sterling silver, my Tiffany china and crystal, and adding clippings from my garden wrapped around the napkins. Something old and something new with garden-inspired details. I collect table linens, and this tablecloth and napkin set came from Schweitzer Linens. I love to add to my Christmas collection after the holidays.'
12. Josh Greene
Josh Greene, founder of Josh Greene Design , is an expert when it comes to designing a stunning dining space.
Josh knows how to successfully design a space, particularly an elegant hosting room as he has worked on a number of private and commercial projects.
He firstly recommends Collecto which is filled with an array of quality diningware, from the traditional Italian splattered design to whimsical floral china. If you're looking for a classic and high-end range of plates, bowls, and glasses, Collecto is a good place to start.
Josh also says that Abask is one of his go-to stores for buying diningware. It's filled with all sorts of independent designs and collections, so it's impossible not to find something you like.
When creating a luxurious look, Josh says Tiffany is a staple. It's key to have a fancier set of diningware for those extra special occasions, and Tiffany couldn't have a more elegant array of pieces to choose from.
You don't need to spend hundreds on a classic dining set, Josh likes to shop at West Elm too!
From high-end porcelain to colorful ceramics, no matter whats your budget or style, this compiled list is the ideal reference for tablescaping this season and beyond.
