A lot of patterns are eye-catching and boldly appealing, but may wear out their welcome... not Crestwood Platinum. I bought my first place setting ten years ago, and I will still be in love with the quiet, understated pattern and simple, clean shapes of the cups and bowls for decades to come. (It also helps that the dishes don't steal the spotlight away from the food we spend so much time preparing!) I like to use richly colored tablecloths and napkins so the white and silver really stands out. The matching serving pieces make for a formal table, but I also like to pair the place settings with an eclectic assortment of platters for a lighthearted-but-fancy look. Crestwood plays along with any of my ideas.