Antique Ashworth Ironstone’s vibrant colours and robust stature make it suitable for formal dining and casual meals.

The soup plates are perfectly pasta-sized, though they were probably intended for hearty stews and thick soups.

The set is huge, comprising dinner, salad, and soup plates. The serving pieces include large and small tureens complete with under plates and both lidded and open vegetable serving dishes. Lastly, there are about seven platters of graduated sizes. Though I more often purchase only the salad or dinner plates, I was captured by the vibrant colours and casual “feel” of this set. It’s sturdy enough to withstand the occasional whack of cutlery from small grandchildren.

I styled the set with a simple white runner and rust napkins, both from Pottery Barn.

The cobalt glasses are from Pier 1 years ago. The clear goblets are antique wheel-cut—surprisingly durable despite their age and appearance. Chintz and Co. in Victoria, B.C. supplied the chargers (also aeons ago). Country Dining Room Antiques sourced the bakelite-handled and silver flatware, part of a canteen.

The flowers are a combination of hydrangea and leaves from the garden and some purchased dahlias. I really enjoyed how their colours, along with the cobalt glasses, echoed all the lively tones in the plates and bowls.

I am sharing this post with my friends over at Between Naps On The Porch.