Mix And Match Your Stoneware Dinnerware

When I finished remodeling my kitchen it had the decidedly Tuscan feel that I wanted. I then started adding accessories and knickknacks. One of the first things I noticed was that my delicate fine bone china dinnerware didn't go along with the room anymore. It was then that I started looking for stoneware dinnerware. I knew that I didn't want a set that was going to be too heavy. I also wanted a stoneware dinnerware that would be versatile so I could potentially add different pieces. I had seen some lovely stoneware serving bowls and platters that I wanted to be able to use. I wanted to be able to keep a casual Italian feel and most of all I wanted to keep in my warm color pallet of yellows, greens and reds. I wanted my table to echo that of a lovely Italian farmhouse.

I found some beautiful stoneware dinnerware sets and serving pieces. One of the first dinnerware sets I saw was Casafina dinnerware. This lovely stoneware dinnerware is made in Portugal and Italy. I found a lovely serving platter in a honey color. I then saw some lovely stoneware while in Vermont. Bennington Pottery is well known and has some lovely stoneware patterns. Their Organics collection has rich warm colors of blackberry, cinnamon and chocolate. The Bennington Pottery Elements collection has a green and gold/mustard glaze. Perfect for my Tuscan kitchen.

I then looked to see what type of stoneware dinnerware sets Pfaltzgraff offered. They have so many offerings. I liked the blue and green of Seychelles covered butter, creamer and sugar hostess set. The Villa della Luna was lovely but not for me. I then saw Louisville Stoneware, Radiance pattern. This set had lovely reds, greens and golds, what I was looking for.

I then saw the Vietri Cucina Fresca stoneware dinnerware collection and I fell in love. This was the rustic Italian stoneware dinnerware that I was looking for. It was very versatile set with pieces offered in a combination of three different colors, cream, saffron and sage. It was a plain stoneware which meant that I could easily mix the pieces I liked from Bennington, Casafina and Pfaltzgraff with it. My table started to resemble the Italian farmhouse feel that I so wanted.

Vietri also offers a Fantasia stoneware dinnerware. The shapes are the same as the Cucina Fresca but it has very lively colors, yellow, light blue, lime and orange. I am able to use the rustic orange color, and have a baking dish and serving bowl in that color. Not only does this stoneware dinnerware look great on the table, it also looks great displayed around my kitchen.

As always, you must use care when cooking with any stoneware. Some stoneware pieces must be cured before use. This means they must be soaked in water prior to their first use, and then soaked in water for a few minutes before each use. Some pieces require pre-heating in the oven. When I put my Vietri dinnerware into the dishwasher I do not use the heated dry. I hand wash all the bakeware and serve ware pieces.