Perhaps my most favourite past time - as is the case for many women - is shopping. More specifically I love shopping for my home and constantly keeping things stocked up and up-to-date. My most recent venture was searching for that perfect tableware that screams modern and chic. As it happens these dishes and cutlery will only play a small role in my life seeing as I do not intend to hold many dinner parties.

Tableware is no longer uniform in their sizes and shapes. Many of the modern styles can come in hard-edged design, or unusual patterns. Many of the modern designs can come rectangular, square or oval. Plates were generally made flat with a slight dip in the centre, now restaurants and cafes offer deep filled plates that are much larger and can double up as a soup dish. They are also more commonly made available in ceramic rather than melamine.

Before tableware was seen as just a tool for eating with and nothing more. Our modern times have affected every aspect of our lives, which includes eating at the dinner table. This may be true for many other people, but I remember my mother keeping her special dinner sets stored away for special occasions. However, these sets in particular were ones handed down from my grandmother; therefore, they were well preserved but also very old fashioned with gold rims and floral patterns.

It begs to raise the question of how much tableware designs have changed to suit our modern day living. Back during the 1980's dinner plates, mugs and tea sets were elaborately designed with pictures that told a brief story or were circular in shape and made with colourful flowers. Now tables at chic cafes or restaurants or even at pubs, tend to opt towards the simply designed and plain coloured sets that provide a neat look.

Other restaurants have produced foods served on uniquely shaped table sets that reveal a certain signature design. Many of the restaurant favourites are plain white plates and bowls that are large and able to hold plenty of food. Using neutral colours such as white, brown or cream gives the restaurant a chance to make everything match well, to make it work well with the theme of the restaurant.

Famous chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey are also collaborating in this world of dinner set designing, placing their names alongside some of the most prestigious designers such as Royal Doulton and Royal Worcester. Each design is based on how the sets are used in restaurants; with influences of these plates influenced by the way, they have been served with food.

Colour and texture plays a very important part in serving food. If the colour is too bright, these can often be made to look too informal and unsuitable for formal restaurants. Often, the more complicated and detailed designs tend to wear away first. This is where simple designs or plain colours will benefit the user the most, as they very rarely fade.

Ceramic pottery does chip, whereby melamine bowls stay rigid and strong over time (provided they are not dropped and smashed). Good quality sets are often made from ceramic and are very often made with simple designs.