NOT JUST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Meant to be adored, not stored!
Transform your china into functional serving trays and decor you can use, share, and enjoy.
NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY CHINA?
You Don’t Have to Keep It All to Keep What Matters.
If you’ve inherited a set of family china—or have one that’s been packed away for years—you may feel caught between keeping it all and letting it go entirely.
We offer another option. Choose a handful of pieces, and we’ll transform them into functional serving trays and decor you can actually enjoy in your everyday life.
Upcycling Packages
Preserve what matters most
5 pieces 🡲 3 heirlooms
Transform 1 place setting into functional heirlooms designed to be enjoyed everyday.
Create more ways to enjoy it
10 pieces 🡲 5 heirlooms
Transform 2 place settings into a variety of versatile trays and home accents.
Share the story
20 pieces 🡲 8 heirlooms
Transform 4 place settings into a collection of meaningful decor to be shared and passed down.
What are my options?
Is upcycling right for me?
There’s no single right way to part with family china. Depending on what you have and what it means to you, you may choose to keep a few pieces, upcycle some, sell, donate—or do a combination of all three.
Our helpful guide breaks down your options to help you decide what feels right for you and your family.
It's easier than you think!
Our Process
How we transform your forgotten dishes into functional heirlooms so you can actually use and enjoy them.
The basics
What's in a place setting?
To keep our offerings simple, we define a place setting as the five most commonly included pieces in a standard china set.
- The Keepsake Package is 1 place setting (5 pieces)
- The Gathering Package is 2 place settings (10 pieces)
- The Legacy Package is 4 place settings (20 pieces)
some collections look different
Flexible by design
While we recommend starting with a complete place setting (5 pieces), comparable dinnerware of similar size can usually be substituted. (e.g, a shallow bowl in lieu of a salad plate).
Have questions about your particular china set ? Book a consultation before purchasing a package.
What we believe
It’s Rarely About the Plates
There’s something about family china that makes it especially hard to let go.
We get rid of things we no longer use all the time. But china is different. Even when it’s been packed away for years, parting with it can feel surprisingly difficult.
Because, as we’ve come to understand so wel, it’s not actually about the china itself. It’s about the people who used the pieces before us, the holidays they were part of, and the traditions and memories they represent.
Since 2019, The Brooklyn Teacup has helped families hold onto that meaning without holding onto entire collections they no longer need—transforming a handful of meaningful pieces into functional heirlooms they can use, enjoy, and share today.
Use the good china, your way.
One Collection, Countless Possibilities
Our interchangeable designs allow a single place setting to become a variety of beautiful and functional pieces. Serve desserts today; Display seasonal décor tomorrow; Organize jewelry next week. You get to decide (and change your mind)!
The Upcycle Consultation
Want to talk to a human first?
Whether you're transforming a single place setting or sharing heirlooms across an entire family, we're here to help.
During your one-on-one consultation, we'll discuss your collection, answer your questions, and help you determine the package that's right for you.
The $50 consultation fee is applied toward any upcycling order placed within 30 days.
real stories and photos
Why Our Clients Upcycle Their China
The reasons are different but the goal is the same: preserving memories and meaning while creating something they'll get to enjoy and share.
What's your reason? Which sounds most like yours?
"I've had my grandmother's china for 35 years and used it maybe three times...Now it's something I get to look at every day."
-Marisa G.
"For years, no occasion ever felt special enough to use it. Now it's on our table for every occasion—even Mah Jong night. I just love it."
-Gail M.
"...No one wanted the contents of the entire china cabinet but everyone wanted a piece of the memories that came with the china in those cabinets. Upcycling is the perfect way to keep these pieces in circulation."
Maya H.
"My grandmother had a particular taste in china that I was not a fan of. I did NOT want to inherit these pieces. Also, I have lots of cousins...why should it all go to me?...We upcycled a big collection of pieces to share with family...I surprise myself with how often we use our tier and think of her."
- Devra G.
- "I couldn't bring myself to donate the china, but I also knew I wasn't going to use it. This helped me keep a few pieces and give the rest away"
- Sue. L - "After our nanny passed away and left multiple set of china behind, I decided to upcycle some of it for holiday gifts for various family members...This is such a unique way to reuse family heirlooms that otherwise may have sat in a drawer or been tossed."
-Alex M.
- "After my mother passed away, we had several pieces made into gifts for family members. It was one of the most meaningful things we could have done with her china."
-Joyce P. - "A place setting of my mom’s china was transformed into something I will cherish forever! After so many years in storage, I'm so glad it didn't just end up going in the trash."
- Robin G. - "It is such a lovely and creative way to upcycle the set from my mom and carry on her love of entertaining."
-Carolyn K.
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem. The pieces don't need to be exactly the same as the 5-piece place setting example.
To create the ideal 3-tier proportions for a 3-tier tray, you will want three plates and/or bowls of three different sizes ranging from small to large. Don't have a cup and/or saucer, send pieces you do have that would pair nicely in a 2-tier configuration.
Unsure about what to send? Book an Upcycle Consultation. We'll review what you have and recommend the best way to transform them into finished pieces you'll love.
A minimum of five individual pieces of china is required for all upcycling projects. We will drill through each one and provide the hardware needed to mix, match and assemble the various pieces.
For example, for the Keepsake Package, you will receive 3 hardware handles and 3 pillars.
This will allow you to create:
(as pictured)
- 1 - 2-Tier (10" plate + 8" plate)
- 1 - Teacup Stand ( saucer + teacup)
- 1 - Valet Tray - (~6" plate)
Alternately, you could create:
- 1 - 4-Tier Tray (10" plate + 8" plate + saucer + teacup)
- 1 - Valet Tray - (~6" plate)
...among other configurations!
Of course. Every collection is unique, and we're happy to help you explore the possibilities before making a decision.
During your consultation, we'll answer your questions, review the pieces you'd like to send, and recommend the best path forward.
There is a $50 consultation fee, which is applied in full towards any upcycling order placed within 30 days.
The $50 consultation fee will be applied toward any upcycling order placed within 30 days of your consultation.
Book here: Upcycle Consultation
If you'd like to transform additional china beyond what's included in your package, you have two options:
You can book an Upcycle Consultation. We'll review your collection together and provide a custom quote tailored to your pieces and goals.
Alternately, you can simply include the extra pieces in your package and we will invoice you for the balance before we ship your pieces back.
While rare, accidents can happen when shipping and drilling through vintage china.
If damage occurs due to an error on our part, we'll cover the costs to make it right. Depending on the situation, we may:
- Replace the damaged piece(s) with china of your choosing
- Ask you to send replacement pieces and cover the shipping costs
- Offer suitable replacement pieces from our inventory
- Refund the upcycling cost for the damaged piece(s)
- Issue store credit for future use
If the damage occurs during transit to our workshop or is otherwise outside of our control, we're still happy to help. We can offer the same solutions above, but any replacement costs and shipping expenses will be the responsibility of the client.
To minimize the risk of damage, please review our packing and shipping instructions carefully before sending your china.
Please do not send pieces that are irreplaceable to you, whether for sentimental or monetary reasons.
Our signature tiered pieces are interchangeable and can be rearranged and reconfigured in a variety of ways. You get to assemble and style the pieces however you choose. For example, you can combine a 2-tier tray and teacup stand into a "Madhatter" Stand with three tiers, then switch them back whenever you'd like.
Yes. Package pricing includes return shipping to a single U.S. address. If you'd like your finished pieces sent to multiple recipients, additional shipping charges will apply per recipient.