Spring Table Settings with Aynsley Soup Bowls and Saucers

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Welcome, Friends!

I’m so glad you’re here today. One of the most exciting moments for any tablescaper is finding that perfect piece to complete a treasured collection — and that’s exactly what happened this week! I can’t wait to share the story with you.

If you’ve been following the blog, you might remember the wonderful surprise a few months ago when I stumbled upon a set of beautiful Aynsley soup bowls in the “Pembroke” pattern. You can see that here:

Great Thrift Store Find

Well, there’s more to the story, and I think you’re going to love this next chapter! So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s dive in together. In that earlier post, I mentioned that I’d be keeping an eye out for the saucers to match those lovely soup bowls. Well, guess what? I found them! I couldn’t believe my luck when I spotted the saucers — and now the set feels complete. You can see them in the photo above, and let me tell you, they look absolutely perfect together. It’s such a joy when a collection comes together like this!

Just look at those beautiful painted flowers and birds on both the saucer and the soup bowl — they truly are little works of art. The gold rims add such an elegant touch, circling each piece perfectly, while a delicate border frames the larger painting. And the colors! The soft pinks, calming greens, and gentle blues are so vivid yet soothing at the same time.

I’m so excited to show you a couple of sample place settings I’ve put together to showcase these pieces. They’ve inspired me in the loveliest way, and I think you’re going to love how they come together on the table!

The first setting really brings out the soft pinks in the “Pembroke” pattern, drawing attention to them with a beautiful dinner plate featuring a delicate pink and white floral border. This frames the simple white salad/dessert plate perfectly, allowing the soup bowl and saucer to take center stage. Their vibrant spring colors just light up the table!

To tie it all together, I used a linen placemat embroidered with lovely spring flowers in the same soft pinks, greens, and blues. It creates such a harmonious look, letting each piece complement the others beautifully. The whole setting feels fresh, elegant, and just perfect for spring!

Here you see the embroidery on the placemat and the pink dishes used for the dinner plates.

To complement the setting, I chose crystal goblets from Waterford for both water and wine. The water goblet on the left is “Ashling,” a stunning cut crystal piece that catches the light beautifully. The wine glass is one of my favorites — “Maeve”— with its elegant Art Deco style. Both were such wonderful finds and add a touch of timeless charm to the table.

The flatware is “Spring Garden” by International Silver, dating back to 1949. Its delicate floral design feels right at home with the soft, romantic feel of the setting. I especially like these round soup spoons that add another shape to the table. A crisp white damask napkin, held neatly by a Waterford napkin ring, completes the look with understated elegance. The whole setting feels polished yet inviting.

I promised you two place settings, and the change is so simple yet makes such a difference! For this second look, I swapped out the pink dinner plate for a blue one that highlights the vibrant blues in the “Pembroke” pattern and the placemats. It’s amazing how this small switch shifts the whole feel of the table.

The blues now take center stage, giving the setting a fresh, serene vibe that feels entirely different from the pink version. I love how one simple change can transform the look so completely — it’s a reminder of how versatile a well-curated collection can be!

The blue dinner plate really shines in this setting — I just love the detailed border and the beautiful central design. It creates such a lovely contrast with the simple elegance of the white salad/dessert plate by Villeroy & Boch. The clean lines of the white plate let the colors and patterns of the “Pembroke” pieces and the blue dinner plate take the spotlight, creating a balanced and harmonious look. It’s amazing how just one change can give the table such a fresh feel!

Two beautiful settings using almost all the same pieces — and both starring the now-complete soup bowl and saucer from Aynsley china. It’s so satisfying when a collection comes together like this!

I’m so glad you could join me for this creative process. Some thrifters prefer to buy complete sets, but I’ve been lucky enough to find pieces that complement each other perfectly, even when months separate the finds. That’s part of the magic of thrifting and estate sale treasure hunts — the thrill of the hunt and the joy of discovering that missing piece. It’s what makes setting a table feel like telling a story, one cherished find at a time.