The best way to strike that memorable note is to create a new look from something old, something vintage. “The only thing we can do to feel that we are not common and that we are doing something unique and interesting for our families and friends is to find odd, maybe one-of-a-kind or interesting pieces that catch our eye and will lend personality to a dinner party,” says restaurateur Bruce Carey, who collects vintage plates, serving pieces, and glassware to add a touch of whimsy to meals served at home and in his restaurants in Portland, Oregon.  Amassing a vintage collection requires a dedication to regular shopping and an eye for good design. But above all, it’s about finding a look you love and then building your collection around that focus. For Carey, that translates to a collection filled with elegant pedestal bowls and, more recently, earthy, hand-wrought ceramic pieces from the seventies. For you, it could be finding “grandma” plates to showcase your classic pie recipes or vintage barware to dress up your pre-dinner cocktail hour. Whatever your focus, you can add just a few vintage touches or collect an entire period design to create a stylish table worth planning a party around. Here’s how to get started. Do the Legwork Make a habit of shopping in stores such as antique shops and neighborhood thrift stores at least once a week; their selections change daily, and you won’t want to miss out on new stock when it arrives. Carey suggests frequenting thrift stores that border upscale residential areas as they often stock higher-end vintage lines at thrift store prices. While you’re out shopping, learn to trust your eye to pick out the appropriate or desired pieces that will fit with your growing collection. “If you are out cultivating a collection, you are effectively training your eye to do that,” Carey says. “If it’s a pattern [piece], something will catch your eye that reminds you of its pattern, and chances are those pieces will go together.” Utilize Online Resources Once you find a producer, style, or specific piece you love, search Web sites to fill in the holes of your collection. If you admire vintage candlesticks, for example, you can do a search for them on  www.eBay.com and bid on the ones that catch your eye. And if you find yourself needing another piece to round out your collection, use www.replacements.com. “Replacements.com is a terrific resource I’ve used when I have a set of five bowls and need a sixth,” says Carey.

“Often, they’ll have it. You aren’t always able to turn the piece over and see a label, but if you can identify the manufacturer and the pattern, they’ll have it.” Shop By Look, Not Price  Most vintage pieces don’t require a second thought about their price; after all, they are used goods and as such won’t often break your budget. Carey warns that prices at a vintage furniture or antique store can run a bit higher because of the secondary markups and the retailer’s understanding of the piece’s exact value, but he says you can generally snag pieces at affordable prices. The bottom line: If it catches your eye, snatch it up regardless of the price. When dealing with one-of-a-kind items like vintage pieces, you should always assume they’re in high demand. If you wait to buy a piece until the next day or week, you run the risk that someone else will beat you to the checkout line. Let Your Vintage Finds Guide Your Menu Choices Dressing a dining-room table is similar to putting an outfit together. The “outfit” should create a cohesive style and match the setting. Regarding table design, this rule suggests that the plates, stemware, and serving pieces should fit the food you’re planning to serve. “There are some things that go together and some things that don’t, and it should relate to the menu,” says Carey. “If you are doing a stew, that could go in a rustic terrine, but if it is bouillabaisse, you should probably use a French compote-style bowl.”  And if an entire menu planned around vintage pieces intimidates you or is impractical for your budget or storage capacity, you can always use vintage pieces in smaller doses to liven up your table setting. Consider bringing vintage pieces into your dessert course by serving something old-fashioned like pie on “grandma” plates. Or, put together a collection of Rat Pack-era Champagne glasses to serve a sugar-rimmed Champagne cocktail at your next fete. Just make sure to use simple table linens and minimal decorations to let the vintage pieces shine like the star accessories they are. Treat Your Collection Well Not surprisingly, vintage pieces with glazes or fragile natures need special care. For Carey, this means remembering to hand wash his collection to avoid wear and tear in the dishwasher. He also reserves particularly fragile pieces for use as decoration. You’ll want to follow suit because, unlike those pedestrian white plates, you’ll want these memorable pieces to last. Written by Ashley Gartland.

In a world where Pottery Barns exist in every city, it’s become increasingly hard for homeowners to set their style apart from the cookie-cutter mold, particularly when it comes to their dinnerware. And though plain white china, mass-produced bowls, and brand-name stemware are certainly appropriate choices for everyday use, when you’re throwing a party, these basics don’t achieve the memorable look you desire.