Joanna Gaines Says This Dish Combo Is a Tablescape’s “Dream Come True”

Olivia Harvey
Olivia Harvey
Olivia Harvey is a freelance writer and award-winning scriptwriter from outside Boston, Massachusetts. She’s a big fan of scented candles, getting dressed up, and the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley. You can make sure she’s doing okay via…read more
published Sep 7, 2025
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A woman with curly hair prepares food in a bright, rustic dining area with brick walls, plants, and a wooden table.

Joanna Gaines is the queen of timeless styling, and that’s probably because she’s become a pro at mixing old and new pieces. In a recent video she made in partnership with Loloi Rugs, she further proved that point.  

In a series called Jo + a Tiny Mic, Gaines took viewers through her tips for accessorizing tablescapes. For instance, she said that her love for scallops isn’t going anywhere, and that fresh stems (or, as she put it, “big ol’ stems from your backyard”) are the perfect finishing touch for a table. However, what stuck with me is how she encouraged viewers to use mismatched, vintage dishware — and a current favorite color scheme appeared. 

How to Nail the Mismatched Dishware Look, According to Joanna Gaines

Gaines said that one of her favorite old pieces to style with is blue and white dishware, which you can easily find at antique stores or thrift shops. But the key to making this dishware really stand out is to refrain from buying sets — go for individual pieces, instead.

“One of my favorite things to do is always mix a little old with a little bit of new. Mainly old,” Gaines said in the video posted to her Instagram. “I feel like blue and white vintage dishware, mismatched, is a dream come true. I just love how you can get so many different variations from different time periods. You put that on a table setting and it’s gorgeous.”

If you’re not finding your dream set at your local secondhand shop, Williams Sonoma even has a set of new blue and white plates that are already mismatched, so you can get that collected-over-time look instantly.

Gaines knows a thing or two about styling, and her tips can only help a table setting shine. Consider adding mismatched blue and white dishware (or any of her other tips) to your next dinner party table. 

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