Whether it’s to give your dinner parties the edge or just to add pleasure to a simple supper, new tableware is a relatively cheap update for your home. Here are five of our favourite places to buy plates, bowls and serveware.

Ham & High: Poole pottery twin tone dining set from Monica Rivron/Juxtapose LondonPoole pottery twin tone dining set from Monica Rivron/Juxtapose London (Image: Archant)

Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium

12 Heath Street, NW3 6TE

Best for: Vintage and antique finds. Juxtapose London/Monica Rivron’s stall is the go-to for mid-century British and Scandinavian sets

Monica Rivron’s stall stocks great mid-century modern sets along with furniture and lighting. Pieces come from all over but there’s an emphasis on quality British names including 1970s Hornsey Heritage ware (a restaurant in Japan sourced its crockery from the stall) and 20th century Poole pottery including this 1936-designed twin tone set. Prices start at £5 for a cup and saucer.

monica.rivron@mac.com

Ham & High: Tiffany serveware from Abigail Ahern, prices from �10Tiffany serveware from Abigail Ahern, prices from �10 (Image: FOTOGRAFERNE KLEIN&CO)

Abigail Ahern

12-14 Essex Road, N1 8LN

Best for: On trend yet timeless pieces with a luxe twist

Abigail Ahern is an Islington interiors stalwart, much loved for her darkly cosy aesthetic. Think vintage-inspired pieces and oodles of (real looking) fake plants in fancy finishes – this set of Tiffany serveware (from £10) is a case in point with simple shapes rendered in gorgeous colours, with a touch of gold for a bit of subtle bling – if that’s not too much of an oxymoron.

abigailahern.com

Ham & High: Bowl by Gregory Tingay at the Dartmouth Park PotteryBowl by Gregory Tingay at the Dartmouth Park Pottery (Image: Archant)

Dartmouth Park Pottery

122 Dartmouth Park Hill, N19 5HT

Best for: Unique handmade pieces with artistic flair and the thumbprint of authenticity

Potters Charina Oeser, Tina Forrester and Gregory Tingay have joined forces at this hidden gem. Combining workshop and shop they sell ready made studio pottery and will work on commission for both usable pieces and decoration only with prices ranging from about £30 to £300. Those who want to try their own hand on the wheel can also sign up to classes, available by appointment (call 020 7263 3398).

gregorytingay.com

Ham & High: Linum Bjork dinner plate in black, £24 from The Peanut VendorLinum Bjork dinner plate in black, £24 from The Peanut Vendor (Image: Archant)

The Peanut Vendor

6 Gunmakers Lane, Gunmakers Wharf, E3 5GG

Best for: understated simplicity with a bit of texture

Want a satisfyingly good plate? Nothing unnecessarily fancy but with a little extra something that stops it from being bland? Look no further than The Peanut Vendor, a vintage furniture dealer next to Victoria Park with a nice sideline in covetable ceramics, textiles and gifts. Linum’s range of 100 per cent stoneware ceramics include these monochrome dinner plates (£24) which have a smooth and a frosted side for tactile dining.

thepeanutvendor.co.uk

Ham & High: South Pacific dinnerware, �9.50 - �55 from Graham & GreenSouth Pacific dinnerware, �9.50 - �55 from Graham & Green (Image: Hasselblad H5D)

Graham & Green

164 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8XN

Best for: bringing a splash of colour to the table

Bursting with personality, Graham & Green is the place to go to find pieces to bring a smile to your face. This Royal Doulton set was inspired by the sea and its blue and white tones certainly hark back to summer holidays. The set of six different patterns is also a fun touch, adding variety to the table without clashing.

grahamandgreen.co.uk