In making your choice of dinnerware consider colour and pattern, materials and care. Also consider whether you require both an everyday and a formal service. A plain or white dinner service can be enhanced by a patterned cloth while a more decorative service is usually best offset with simple table linen.

We have two distinct types of dinnerware - porcelain and earthenware.

Porcelain, made by French companies Apilco and Pillivuyt, is the most versatile, going from freezer to oven to table. While it looks fragile, it is in fact durable and chip resistant. It comes in a wide spectrum of shapes and colours and is also dishwasher safe.

Fine porcelain made by Limoges is renown for its lightness and strength. We stock a comprehensive range.

Gien is the premier earthenware range of dinnerware in our store. The designs include le Cirque, le Petit Prince, Oiseaux de Paradis, and Oiseau Bleu. The lustre is unsurpassed.

Our dinnerware is dishwasher safe. However, some, such as our handpainted earthenware will maintain their colours longer if washed by hand. Also, gold or silver rimmed dinnerware should not be placed in the dishwasher.

The Bay Tree recommends...
We recommend you start with a setting for 8 - 12 people. Each setting consists of a side, entrée and dinner plate, a rim soup/pasta dish and a cup and saucer. Additions to the service include serving platters, bowls, sauceboats, teapots, sugar bowls and creamers. If you have only one service for both formal and informal use, we suggest you choose classic white. You may also like to consider the choice of linen, cutlery and glassware to compliment your dinnerware selection.

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