I could not resist the Thomas Paul Sea-Life Melamine dinner plates and side plates when I stopped by Lekker Home last Thursday. It says a lot about how appealing they were nicely displayed on the table since I typically do not buy melamine for eating outside. The only melamine plates I own are the ones on my picnic sets.
I knew that I would stop by Crate & Barrel to buy the contemporary rice bowls and square dishes after Lekker Home. That has something to do with my decision. The Thomas Paul Melamine collections do not include bowls. Look at how the two collections complement each others. It is one of these instances where you fashion a calculated eclectic look.
More Mix-and-Match
I opted for the whale server plate (called the Scrimshaw Tray) instead of the turtle tray because an oval tray is more handy to serve a wide variety of dishes. This way, my table would not be too matching. Scrimshaw was an art practiced by sailors on whaling ships out at sea. With his Scrimshaw melamine collection, Thomas Paul recaptured, in his own way, the feeling of this art form.
SOURCING:
+ Thomas Paul Sea Life dinner plates $40 USD for 4 assorted plates at Lekker Home
+ Thomas Paul Sea Life side plates $30 for 4 assorted
+ Thomas Paul Scrimshaw Tray $30