Classic, cosmopolitan style requires just one thing: sophisticated taste. Here, our editors have picked some of their favorite classic pieces featured in the pages of our magazine throughout the years. If you're a classic bride, feel free to use these products as inspiration when creating your own registry list.
"A good starting point for mixing patterns is color," says Marina Birch, event planner and owner of Chicago's Birch Design Studio. "Garland Moss" dinner and bread-and-butter plates, the Martha Stewart Collection with Wedgwood; "Signature Collection" salad plate, Pickard.
These are great go-to wine glasses for any occasion. They're just the right amount of delicate. Riedel Crystal wine glass, bloomingdales.com.
A scalloped, basketweave border adds casual charm to a "Veiel Osier Blanc" dinner plate, Raynaud Limoges from Michael C. Fina.
A hand-painted charger by Vietri can be used as a platter. Ferns adorn this platter, Burgess Dorling & Leigh.
Our associate editor, Britni Wood, collects copper cookware, and she just happens to own this particular piece. "It's such a joy to cook with copper, and the acorn detailing is the most darling addition to my kitchen," says Britni. Ruffoni hammered copper sauce pot, williams-sonoma.com.
Venetian-glass handblown "Thumbprint" dish, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
This lamp's traditional shape is modernized with a glossy white finish, a perfect combination of new and old. Lolita lamp, plantationdesign.com.
"Continental Classic" stainless steel flatware, Wallace, from Bloomingdale's.
Another idea: Contrast strong patterns with solid plates that are rimmed with the same color. "Illusion" dinner and bread-and-butter plates, Haviland; "Lily of the Valley" salad plate, the Martha Stewart Collection with Wedgwood.
A Chambord dinner plate, Villeroy & Boch marries formality with a floral feel.
Most flatware patterns include standard serving utensils, often sold together in sets. With some patterns, you can also choose specialized items such as sugar spoons and ladles. If you can't get everything you want in your main pattern, choose serving utensils in a complementary design. Register for extras, and you'll never run short at a dinner party. These items are from Oneida's "Chateau" pattern and can be bought individually or in sets.
Tiny raised dots surround a "Staccato" dinner plate, Crate & Barrel.
A large platter by Wedgwood can serve meat. Gold edges dress up this one by Raynaud from Michael C. Fina.
A reticulated rim with a pierced edge lends an heirloom quality to a "White Full Lace" dinner plate, Royal Copenhagen.
Because fondue and board games are a potent combination! Stainless steel fondue set, surlatable.com.
This 10-piece set of pots and pans is perfect for an experienced chef or a beginner. Plus, its classic look will never go out of style. All-Clad d5 LTD2 10-piece set, williams-sonoma.com.
Perfect for the chef (or wannabe chef) in your home. The design for these knives was based on Ken Onion's studies of chefs at work. Shun Ken Onion three-piece starter set, williams-sonoma.com.
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