Flatware can be one of the most important accents to your tables setting. Beautiful dishes and plates along with some exquisite glass or crystal can really be offset by inappropriate flatware. Knives, forks and spoons are almost always part of your table setting.
When looked at on their own flatware pieces may appear to be a bit contrasting in nature to the rest of the settings. However, they usually turn out to be somewhat of a compliment to the other objects due to their reflective nature. The nice thing about silver reflective flatware is it will pick up the colors and hues of its surroundings. Most chromed flatware and or silverware is shiny enough that it will compliment what ever table setting you choose.
There are however a number of unique flatware sets that are not very reflective in nature. One must be a little careful when buying this type of flatware as it can easily clash with your dinnerware and table settings. Some stainless steel finishes which at first glance seem shiny and reflective tend to hold their own color more than to pick up their surroundings. Annealed stainless flatware can do this as it often has a mild hue of rainbow much like an oil spill. Not to say that it will look bad with your setting, it is just needs to be considered more when planning the overall decorative layout of you table setting. Some of the stainless steel and dark chrome finishes such as hematite are beautiful and go with just about anything…
Most people carry two sets of flatware, one for special occasions and one for everyday use. If you are going to go with something a little more risqué it may be best to make it a third set. Depending a bit on the color of your dinnerware and the type of settings you tend create it may not always compliment nicely. This way you can always go back to a standard reflective finish which goes with just about anything