Mismatched French vintage china

The tragedy of china is that it breaks. The question is: does this matter?

When it happens, yes, hugely. I've lost all sorts of wonderful plates, and most particularly coffee cups, hence my never-ending obsession with them.

But after the rainstorm passes, sunshine often follows. There is another life awaiting all the left-over cups, saucers and plates that otherwise might face life alone. The trick though, is being a good matchmaker.

The theme I've stuck to here, that is echoed in every piece, is gold and white. Any colour variations on individual plates don't matter. The other important element is type of china, here I've gone for all porcelain, or half-porcelain. The quality of the plate, the feel and look of each one is the same, whatever the colour or design.

Once you start adding a tea cup into the equation, the whole thing takes off and you start wanting tea, and cake, and possibly a cucumber sandwich. Broken china is forgotten, and a new ensemble is born.

Personally, with tea cup trios, I think it's the cup that's the most important thing and this one is very pretty and will match up with a lot of plate and saucer partners.