How to Style a Modern Table with the Most Popular China Patterns

1. Botanical Scenes

Botanical china patterns (like Spode's Buttercup) tend to have a formal feel. To lighten the look, pair your set with botanical-print linens and touches of natural wood. Here, hints of gold and a mustard-yellow nod to the painted buttercups, while blue elements temper this summery pattern for fall. For an easy styling trick that ties it all together, use your set's platter as the base for a centerpiece.

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Sicily Tablecloth

cream tablecloth with dark blue and yellow pattern — Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma

$90-$100, Williams-Sonoma

Delicate floral motifs rendered in dark blue and gold create an elegant backdrop.

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Acacia Wood Charger Plate

round wood charger plate — Courtesy of Pottery Barn

$17 (was $25), Pottery Barn

Ground each place setting with a natural wood charger.

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Threshold 4-Pack Cotton Easy Care Napkins in Yellow

stack of folded yellow napkins — Courtesy of Target

$10, Target

Contrast the blue accents with napkins in a warm mustard yellow.

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Botanical Napkin Ring, Set of 4

gold leaf shape napkin rings with cream napkins — Courtesy of West Elm

$30, West Elm

Leaf-shaped napkin rings reinforce the botanical motif.

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Kosta Boda Bruk Salad Plate in Blue Water

round blue glass plate — Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond

$15, Bed Bath and Beyond

Blue-tinted glass salad plates add a hint of color without hiding the china pattern beneath.

brown and white bird and floral patterned plate — Carson Downing

2. Transferware

The transferware technique involves printing china patterns rather than individually hand-painting them, which was time-consuming and expensive. Initially engraved into copper plates, these elaborate designs were transferred onto paper using ink, then applied to the dish's surface. Often featuring a single color against a white background, transferware can be highly ornate, showcasing romantic scenes of animals, architecture, florals, and more. To make a classic transferware pattern (like this Asiatic Pheasant Brown dinner plate by Royal Stafford) feel more down-to-earth, opt for on-trend speckled ceramics and metallic bark-patterned napkins. Contemporary glassware and repeating gold accents keep the look elevated.

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Primrose Gold Salad Plate

speckled plate with gold rim — Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

$20, Crate and Barrel

Brown speckles echo the color in the transferware.

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Bark Textured Jacquard Napkins, Set of 4

$35, West Elm

A metallic faux bois pattern amps up the autumnal feel.

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Porsha Smoke Red Wine Glass

brown tinted wine glass — Courtesy of CB2

$13, CB2

Smoky stemware mimics the deep color of the china, but its sleek lines offer a touch of mod

3. Allover Florals

Many floral china patterns combine a variety of vibrant colors and intricately painted details against a white background. Balance busy designs like this one (Haddon Hall from Minton) by playing up a single color in the pattern and repeating it in varying shades on the table. Orange features heavily in this design, for example, so we chose it for our accent color. An overtly modern piece (say, an abstract salad plate) in the mix transforms the entire setting and keeps it from feeling too old-fashioned.

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Bubble Taper Candle, Set of 4

bubble taper candles in warm colors — Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

$20, Urban Outfitters

The bubble shape creates an element of surprise

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Scalloped Placemats, Set of 4

brown and tan Scalloped Placemat — Jason Donnelly

$80, Bed Threads

A playful place mat helps keep this table from feeling stuffy.

white plate with ornamental gold and red rim — Carson Downing

4. Bold Rims

To update plates with a bold, ornate rim (like Style 3244 from Rosenthal-Continental), pair them with a tablecloth that also has big personality, but in a contrasting style. Here, a loose overall floral fabric echoes the china's color but tones down its formality. Keep the rest of the elements simple so they don't fight for the spotlight.

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10 Strawberry Street Cream Double Gold Line Salad/Dessert Plate, Set of 6

10 Strawberry Street Cream Double Gold Salad Dessert Plate — Carson Downing

$62, Amazon

Gold bands draw attention to the rim; creamy white warms the setting.

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Harvest Bloom Tablecloth

$125, Williams-Sonoma

Realistic painterly florals could take the place of a centerpiece.

white plate with blue design — Carson Downing

5. Delicate Designs

Dainty patterns with intricate scrolling or line work can easily get lost on a large table. Call attention to delicate designs like this one (Royal Copenhagen's Blue Fluted Plain) by sticking to pieces in the same colors. Avoid placing salad plates or napkins on top of the dinner plates where they'll hide the pattern.

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