Why be dull? Here’s our pick of the best patterned plates to mix and not necessarily match. Styling tip: Start dressing your table with basic white crockery, then layer it up with colourful and patterned plates. Use colours from one of your feature plates to introduce in to your centerpiece in the form of flowers, candleholders or lanterns.

Louise Bourgeois china triangles plate

Louise Bourgeois fine bone china plate in Triangles $48 from Safari Living www.safariliving.com

Design Letters AJ plate in Q

Design Letters AJ Plate in Q $49 from Top3 by design. www.top3.com.au

Terra Dinner plate in spot

Terra Dinner Plate in Spot $37.95 from Robert Gordon. www.robertgordonaustralia.com

Terra Dinner plate in stripe

Terra Dinner Plate in Stripe $37.95 from Robert Gordon. www.robertgordonaustralia.com

Pinasse serving plate with gold foil

Pinasse Serving Plate with Gold Foil $59.90 from Citta Design. www.cittadesign.com.au

Madu serving plate with gold foil

Madu Serving Plate with Gold Foil $59.90 from Citta Design. www.cittadesign.com.au

Dapper Animal salad plates

Dapper Animal salad plates $14 each from West Elm. www.westelm.com.au

The Mountain Range, flip flop slip baking trays

The Mountain Range, Flip Flop Slip Baking Trays $95ea by The Forty Nine Studio. www.thefortynine.com.au

Hardware lane from Robert Gordon

Hardware Lane Teapot, $27.95 Latte Mugs set of 4, $23.95, Espresso Cup set of 4 $18.95, Sugar & Creamer Set $18.95, Mug set of 4 $27.95, Cake Plate, $23.95 from Robert Gordon. www.robertgordonaustralia.com

Kate Spade New York about town three part server

Kate Spade New York About Town Three Part Server 34cm $169.00, Divided Server 30cm, $169.00, Cake Stand 29cm, $169.00 from selected David Jones, Myer and leading independents nationally. www.katespadechina.com.au