How to Style Cabbageware Dishes for a Collected Home
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked again and again on social media about the leafy plates I’ve been using in my table settings — which feels fitting for a post titled How to Style Cabbageware Dishes for a Collected Home.
“Where are they from?”
“Are they vintage pieces?”
“Are they Dodie Thayer?”
“Are they Bordallo Pinheiro?”
Are you ready? I must come clean and confess.
The truth is — the green cabbageware dishes you’ve seen in my home were new items from Target last season. And yet, they echo something much older.
Cabbage dinnerware has a long and storied past — from 18th century naturalistic forms to 19th century porcelain table wares inspired by cabbage leaves and garden vegetables. What began as whimsical ceramic plate designs eventually became heirloom-worthy investment pieces associated with society icons like Jackie Kennedy Onassis and even the Duchess of Windsor.
Today, I’m sharing easy ways to style cabbageware dishes for a collected home — whether your pieces come from an antique shop, thrift stores, estate sales, Williams Sonoma, Target, or a specialist like Suzanne Harrison.
The Origins of the Veggie-Inspired Dishes
Before cabbageware was trending in what some now call “tomato girl summer,” it was quietly rooted in history.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, porcelain table wares began incorporating naturalistic forms — molded cabbage leaves, fruits, shells, and botanicals. By the 19th centuries, leafy dishes had become popular in Europe as both serving platter and decorative statement piece.
Fast forward to the 20th century, and lettuce ware — most famously associated with Dodie Thayer — became synonymous with Palm Beach entertaining. These pastel hues of green ceramic plates graced the dining tables of socialites, interior designers, and even appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal.
Today, brands like Bordallo Pinheiro continue producing cabbage plates and cabbageware vases inspired by those early forms.
Vintage Pieces vs. New Items
One of the questions I receive most often is whether cabbageware is vintage or new.
The answer is: both.
You’ll find:
- Antique shop discoveries
- Thrift stores and estate sales treasures
- Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage dinnerware
- Williams Sonoma collections
- Target seasonal collections in white, green, and soft pink
The thrill of the hunt for vintage pieces is unmatched, and one that I love — especially when you stumble upon depression glass or blue willow china to mix alongside leafy plates.
But there are also beautiful new items that make cabbageware accessible and affordable.
This year, Target has released cabbage dinnerware again — in white and pink — both the perfect size for everyday use or a charming Easter brunch table setting. (see below)
How to Style Cabbageware Dishes for a Collected Home
The only way cabbageware feels elevated — rather than themed — is through layering.
Here are easy ways to take your cabbage plate styling to the next level:
1. Pair with Silver for Contrast
When readers ask me how to style cabbageware dishes in a way that feels timeless, I always say to mix them with ironstone, silver, or pieces you already love.
The organic cabbage leaves against polished silver create balance. The natural texture softens the refinement of traditional serving pieces.
A silver teapot on a cabbage plate instantly adds a garden feel without becoming overly rustic.
Shop the Look
2. Mix with Ironstone or Blue Willow China
Layer white ironstone beneath leafy plates for a grounded base.
Or pair cabbageware with blue willow china for a subtle contrast in pattern and form. The structured blue pattern against the sculpted ceramic plate adds dimension to the dining table.
3. Add Pastel Hues for Spring
Cabbage dinnerware works beautifully with pastel hues — especially pink, soft yellow, and pale blue.
For Easter brunch or special occasions:
- Use cabbage plates as a charger
- Add crystal stemware
- Include a cabbageware vase filled with hydrangeas
- As always you can visit my vintage shop here. I add new items weekly.
This creates a table setting that feels garden-inspired but refined.
4. Keep It Simple for Everyday
Not every cabbage plate needs to be saved for a dinner party. If you’ve ever wondered how to style cabbageware dishes without making them feel too themed, I’ve found the secret is mixing them with pieces you already own and love.
They’re the ideal size for:
- A casual lunch on the kitchen island
- Afternoon tea
- A simple salad plate
- Layered under a soup bowl
Cabbageware brings warmth to the dining table without feeling precious.
The Influence of Style Icons
Cabbageware’s revival isn’t new.
Dodie Thayer’s lettuce ware became iconic in Palm Beach society, frequently associated with Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Interior designers continue to reference these leafy dishes as statement pieces that feel nostalgic yet fresh.
Even Tory Burch has drawn inspiration from similar naturalistic forms in tableware and entertaining collections.
The appeal lies in their sculptural quality — cabbage leaves molded into porcelain table wares that blur the line between functional object and art.
Is Cabbageware an Heirloom-Worthy Investment?
It can be.
Original lettuce ware pieces or early Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage dinnerware can command higher prices — especially full sets or rare serving platters.
But even affordable new items can become meaningful if styled and used well.
A collected home is not about price point.
It’s about layering. It’s about intention. It’s about mixing 19th century inspiration with today’s finds.
Why Cabbageware Works in a Collected Home
The more I experiment with how to style cabbageware dishes, the more I realize they don’t need much — just a simple linen and a touch of silver to feel special.
Cabbageware offers:
- Naturalistic forms that soften a space
- Garden feel without florals
- Statement piece potential without overpowering
- Versatility for special occasions and everyday use
Whether sourced from thrift stores, estate sales, or purchased new this season, leafy plates add depth and dimension. I must say, I love having them in my home.
And perhaps that’s why they continue resurfacing — year after year, of the cabbage.
Final Thoughts
Cabbage dinnerware has traveled centuries — from 18th century porcelain table wares to modern retail shelves.
Over time, learning how to style cabbageware dishes has become part of my own collected rhythm — using them for everyday tea just as often as for special occasions.
Whether you’re drawn to Dodie Thayer lettuce ware, Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates, or simply the perfect size Target versions you’ve seen in my home, the beauty lies in how you style cabbageware for a collected home.
The only way to make cabbageware feel timeless is to treat it as one layer in your collected story.
Not a theme.
Not a trend.
But part of a lived-in table.
