Collecting antique tableware is a lot of fun, and my interests range from incredibly formal sets to more relaxed pieces.

These Royal Worcester service plates from the 1920s bridge the two worlds. They are hand painted with enamel decorations of cornucopia and fruit. I tend to set them out as a decorative element when I set the table, and then remove them to serve the food on a plainer, more modern plate. It saves the wear and tear on the antiques, and makes people less nervous!

Here I’ve combined them with turquoise Venetian glass goblets, fruit compotes and candlesticks, along with etched Optic Rib glasses from Elise Abrams antiques.