What if your fall tableware color scheme calls for light colors, instead of bold ones? Your lovely pale theme can work just as well for fall, using vintage dinnerware in light colors.
Soft and delicate dinnerware colors will keep your table setting clean and crisp. Monochromatic color schemes built around white, off-white and gray convey elegance and a graceful style.
These styles are also flexible. You can keep it light overall, or let one bright color, perhaps in a centerpiece, set off your table setting with a bit of drama.
Tips to keeping your fall table setting light
- Let on plain white dinnerware, or vintage styles with small or subtle motifs, on white backgrounds, predominate
- Incorporate subtle accent colors like yellow and gold bring the hint of fall. You can add to these tones with glassware, flatware, or details in the linens and centerpieces as you wish
- Use motifs like speak autumn, such as leaves or fall-blooming flowers, to further suggest the seasonal theme
I selected a few vintage china patterns that can help pull off a fall dinnerware, light color scheme. All of these patterns were made in Japan.
The plates in the upper photo are examples from these patterns:
- Winchester by Diamond China: Floral motif, white on white with accents in yellow gold and gray. Gold rims and verge lines
- Andover by Carlton (Sango): A similar floral motif, again with white flowers, gray and yellow gold in the details. This one has platinum rims and verge lines
The piece types in the second photo reflect these patterns:
- Windsor by Style House: Understated leaves in pink and gray, on white. Platinum rims
- Silver Maple by Mikasa: Pale maple leaves, gray and white on white. Platinum rims
Light color vintage dinnerware can be the canvas for a wide range of a mix and match table setting using a fall theme. The variety is limited only by your imagination, and the design you’re looking for while you “paint with dishes” in your tableware choices.
About the photo: Large plate in the Winchester pattern, small plate in Andover. Creamer in the Windsor pattern, plate in the Silver Maple pattern.
by 
I have inherited my mother-in-law’s china. It is Mikasa fine china Narumi Japan – Hilton 5308. I have contacted both Replacements.com & Mikasa to no avail. If anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be most helpful.
Hello Suzie!
I’ve seen that kind of Mikasa mark, and I’ll bet that’s lovely dinnerware! I also think you have a challenge, presuming you want more pieces to add to your vintage china set.
Beyond what you’ve already done, you can request a Want It Now on eBay. This allows scouters to contact you if they have your items. There are other online secondary marketplaces, such as Bonanza and Etsy, where you might also find some of your china.
Further, I’d suggest choosing another pattern or two, and see if you can mix and match to your liking. That will give your dinnerware set functionality while you continue to look for more pieces in the Hilton pattern.
It’s widely known that Japanese made dinnerware never disappoints for the most part. It can be passed down from generation to generation. Excellent picks, thanks for your post
Hello Anden!
Yes, there are many wonderfully made wares from Japan. I think the only thing stopping many people are the styles don’t seem to be as modern as they might like. But with enough time, everything old is now again, and comes back in style. We have some Japanese stoneware that we use all the time, and it holds up quite well.
Thanks for stopping by!
At replacements.com I have a service for 16 plus serving pieces for pattern N144. It is Mikasa and has the marking on the back, an M with the wreath.. It was a service for 24 but I am keeping 8 place settings. Should I post on eBay.
Hello again!
With no pattern name, it will be tougher to market this dinnerware. You might get an idea from Replacements of what they would give you for the set. With any scenario that involves shipping, there is the cost, weight and fragile nature of the items.
I did not find an Mikasa N144, only an N414. The M and wreath marking makes me lean toward older Noritake wares.
I would be careful of online marketplace scenarios, unless you have experience. You might want to look into local secondhand stores that would buy the dinnerware from you (vs. consignment).
Hope this helps!