Looking back at her childhood, Andrea Anttonen remembers being mesmerized by her grandmother’s fancy dishes. “The color, pattern and intricacy was fascinating to me,” she says. “Over the years, it never stopped fascinating me, and still does.” So, naturally, when the opportunity came in 2019, she happily joined Main Dish, where she uses her design background and creativity to showcase a variety of designer tabletop designs to inspire guests to create their own captivating tabletop style. “What I tell clients is, ‘Your table should be a reflection of yourself,’” she says. “Never be afraid to mix patterns, colors and textures to create your own unique look.”
The best way to transform your table is to mix and match, she notes. “You don’t have to buy all new settings at once. Mix and match what you currently have by adding a few new pieces to keep it fun and fresh,” she says. “A pop of color can instantly transform a table whether it’s a fun water goblet or salad/dessert plate, for example. Or add a fun napkin ring, napkin and place mat to elevate and update your existing dinnerware.”
Andrea Anttonen beside a table setting featuring the Fürstenberg Shifting Colors plates that she notes, “bring a unique design based on colored surfaces, which when laid over the other, give rise to new color,” and the Casa Alegre gold stone charger plate and cereal bowl with L’Objet dinner plate. PHOTO BY CARL SCHULTZ
This season, Anttonen is most excited to show clients the set of four Bernardaud Soleil Levant salad plates in assorted colors. “They are decorated in eggplant, tangerine, blush, and chocolate and bring a unique element of whimsy to the table.” Another collection she is obsessed with is the Kelly Behun collection from L’Objet. “The pieces are earthy, whimsical and functional, and the color of wood is so warm and inviting and looks wonderful in all types of interior spaces.”
To Anttonen, tabletop design is not unlike home design. “When you are successful, it shows off your personality and creates an inviting environment,” she says. “I love helping each and every customer create their own unique look. It’s fun and creative each day to inspire someone in thinking about tabletop differently and uniquely.” Plus, when clients buy items, whether it be tabletop items or home decor, Main Dish offers to help bring them to life by unpacking and removing all the stickers, delivering them to their home and putting them on display. “I was working with a couple and they have four place settings of dinner plates, dessert plates and bowls. We added four new plate setting of each,” she says. “They all mix and match, and now they have many modern and unique place settings.” maindishaz.com
A mix of dishes including Melody Rose of London china dinner plate, Bernardaud Soleil Levant dessert plate in pink, and Versace by Rosenthal Butterfly Garden bread and butter plate. “I was playing around on a rainy afternoon and wanted to bring some cheer to my front table. The texture of the wooden Spoke place mat from Kim Seybert pairs wonderfully with the color dishes. The Vista Alegre Bicos Azul water glass is a perfect complement to the plain wine glass and gives that final pop of color for playfulness.” PHOTO BY CARL SCHULTZ
![“This formal [Bernardaud Jardin Indien] place setting doesn’t feel overwhelming or intimidating, which is why it’s one of my favorites.” PHOTO BY: LILY ROSE](/get/files/image/galleries/bt_MFY66PECFCUY947OLFK6MJXX7N8RV.jpg)
“This formal [Bernardaud Jardin Indien] place setting doesn’t feel overwhelming or intimidating, which is why it’s one of my favorites.” PHOTO BY BOWEN ACKLEY
FÉERIE DINNER COLLECTION BY MICHAËL CAILLOUX FOR BERNARDAUD
“I love this collection as it is a modern and fresh approach to a floral pattern.”
PHOTO BY LILY ROSE
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