Caroline Shares Her Favorite Standout Serveware

With the bounty of fresh produce coming out of the garden and at the local farmstands, we can never have too many serving plates on hand when setting the table. Serveware is a fun category to collect with so many shapes, sizes and textures, and of course, the culinary varieties that they will house. I’ve been building my collection gradually and purposefully over the years and have my go-to handmade designers as well as vintage finds that come into my hands from time to time. I thought I’d share my current favorites with you on this week’s post since I finally got our dining room hutch organized and looking pretty…

Many of my current favorite pieces are from DBO Home, a husband-and-wife design duo who make a full line of dinnerware, platters, lighting and more in their studio in Connecticut. I fell in love with their wabi sabi handmade techniques and have slowly been adding pieces to compliment my existing assortment of serveware. The Formale Platters (seen here in small and large) are sturdy yet elegant with a lovely organic shape. They're understated to allow your food to shine and perfect for everyday and more formal occasions. 

Lightweight with a delicate floral design, the Kashmir Everything Bowl is a staple in our house. It's perfect for a one dish meal or serving a side dish at a larger gathering. Fresh, cool water or lemonade is always on the table in the summer, and this beautiful pitcher, see similar here is one worth adding to the mix. 

I'm always on the hunt for bowls in different sizes, shapes, colors and textures. The Pinch bowls have their signature organic shape, making them perfect for both casual weeknight meals and more formal gatherings too. The Pinch Everything Bowl is just as its title suggests – suited for that one bowl meal, and also for serving salads, pasta, or anything really. And the slightly deeper Pinch Noodle Bowl has been our go-to weeknight dish for big salads.

Any time of year, cheese plates are a staple, and I'm currently obsessed with the Kashmir Cheese Platter. Its unique, blue floral design adds a delicate element next to your favorite cheeses and charcuterie. And a plethora of linen napkins are always loaded up in our hutch drawers, and my striped linen napkins from The Stone Jug Collection are the current go-to. 

To set the table, I've been reaching for the dinner plates from DBO Home's Pinch collection. The subtle pinch texture and drippy bronze glaze edge makes them unique and elegant – the perfect rustic modern canvas for a summer time dish. And to complete my table setting, these Cane Napkin Rings have been a favorite for years.

Our gardens around here are filled with fresh flowers and greenery, and I've been bringing cuttings in to savor summer for as long as possible. For a simple tabletop centerpiece, I use the Balloon Vase - it has a narrow neck so a little bunch of flowers or foliage go a long way. 

Whether you're hosting friends and family, or fixing up a weeknight dinner for two, serving up with handmade pieces can make the everyday feel that little bit more special and memorable. For those of you who've been collecting our Handmade plates and serveware over the years, these beautiful new DBO Home plates, platters and bowls are a perfect compliment and play well together. Shop the collection and other favorites featured below, or come and visit us in the store. And, if any pieces are sold out (they sell fast), we are constantly reordering, so use the "notify me when available" function on the product page.