They’re from Linens and Things . We only got four colors, but we got two of everything in the four colors. We also got our flatware from there - but I don’t remember what it’s called so I can’t find it to show.
We are replacing our dinnerware, and so far this is the front runner:
It has generous proportions and a LOT of completer/complementary pieces, including coordinating glassware.
I have these for everyday use, well actually I only have half a full set of those now because I was kind enough to leave half the set behind when I ran out on my ex-hub. I also have a lovely set of Royal Doulton china that my mother gave me, it was her wedding present from her mother-in-law so it’s really very special to us.
Unfortunately I can’t put a link to it because RD don’t make it any more and haven’t done so for so many years they don’t refer to it on their listings any more. I think the design is called “Reflection”. Anyway, I have a complete set of soup bowls, dinner plates, side plates, dessert bowls and a couple of large lidded tureens as well as a large carving dish. It’s all very carefully packed up in newspaper and bubblewrap, and sealed inside special cloth containers ready for the day when we finally have a servicable dining room. But that’s another story…
I love your taste! I like Southwestern decor and the whole mix ‘n’ match thing goes perfect with it.
I bought a set for my folks that was similar to that, but more triangular in the glaze. And it was a deep, midnight blue.
The real every, every day stuff is a set of wooden plates my sister bought dozens of when she lived in the Philippines. I’ve abused them horribly by running them through the dishwasher, but I love them.
I also have Pfaltzgraff Forest (which I swear they retired the day after I bought it). It’s got kind of an Arts & Crafts Dard Hunter style decoration around the edge with some cobalt blue accents, so it’s nice to mix and match with my cobalt (new) Fiestaware.
The really good stuff is Lenox Laurent. I like it because it’s so simple and elegant so I can use it with almost any kind of table cloth. And I love the shape of the coffee cups!
Very nice! This is the look I love - classy, but not fussy. I like that you mixed the colors up - it makes for an interesting color palette without having “busy” patterns.
I have these from Williams-Sonoma for every day use (but with green trim, which I think they may not make any more), and this is my formal pattern.
I am one of those who likes white dinnerware…I think food looks better on it, and that way you have more flexibility with the other table decor.
I love the Williams-Sonoma stuff, because the plates are huge, and they are very, very durable.
this is the set my sister and I gave my parents about 8 years ago now. They had a 1/2 completed tea set, we finished it out for them and gave them 8 additional teacups, and then we bought them the whole damn dinner set. Plates, bowls, bread plates, everything and anything. Basically the last complete set left in the store.
Eaton’s (former big Canadian department store) was going out of business and we got the entire thing for much cheaper than it really is…though it was really really expensive (about 1K canadian at the time). My sister and I pooled our scholarship money to do it for their anniversary present that year.
Nice thing is they told us never to buy them a gift again. But we’ve never eaten off the damn things…they have to be individually handwashed and everyone is afraid of breaking them. My parents do display them very proudly though.
I used to have these for everyday (love the shape!) but gave them to spousal unit in division of property. Had a blue and white Johnson Brothers set for a long while but they’re just about gone. We bought both sets on deep discount on white sale days. Now I have the cheapiest cheapo set I could find at Canadian Tire. It had to be china (though microwave and dishwasher-proof) - I really dislike stoneware. This is my good set but I could easily love any number of Noritake sets. I really enjoy their designs.
I used to like some of the quirkier designs by Villeroy & Boch but I think they’ve toned down their designs these days.
I just discovered to my shock that the old Corelle set that I purchased in about 1975 for $20 for a service for four, and that I passed along to whiterabbit some years back, is now worth actual money – they want $11.99 for a dinner plate? Good heavens, she could sell the pieces she has for several hundred dollars now altogether!
We just use plain white Corelle for everyday, and the good china is packed away and I can’t even remember who it’s from so no links.
ScareyFaerie, is this your RD pattern?
Oh, yeah…I love that pattern…it’s a classic.
Sarahfeena - your formal china is really beautiful. Very elegant.
VCNJ~
My main set of dishes is Asiatic Pheasant Blue by Johnson Brothers. I have a lot of other odd pieces of blue transferware, and quite a lot of Spode Blue Room plates–but those are on the kitchen wall.
I don’t even have a full set but I’ve got these. My Mom bought them for me when I was in my gothy phase; it was a buck a pop for the plates at the Pfaltzgraff outlet. I really fancy these though.
I had those, too (I’m permenantly gothy). Now that I make more money, I’ve upgraded to this really incredibly beautiful set. I also got the mugs from this set (not the tea cups in the top picture, scroll down for the luscious mugs.
mischievous
My sister-in-law has that set. I covet it every time we’re at her house.
I can’t find mine, which I got at Kohl’s, but it’s earth tone various stripes across, on a thick stoneware type plate. I think I might be in love though:
I think this Lenox Bellaire (Older) was my parents’ wedding china. In any case it was Lenox, ivory with classy gold bands; it always seemed like the quintessential beautiful china to me. They sold it during the last move; Mom was always afraid to use it!
My grandma also just gave me her mom’s set–little blue and pink flowers couldn’t be farther from my taste. :smack:
Oooh I like that one! I like that really dramatic, diffuse glaze that is popular right now.
Thanks Sarafeena! I think it’s a little fussy and old-fashioned but my parents were painstakingly collecting it, piece by piece. When Eaton’s bit it and my sis and I saw the entire thing for that price, we snapped it up. Then we ate spaghetti for 5 months but it was worth it.
I’m not sure if the Amazon ones are for the actual Royal Albert bone china though…that seems so freaking cheap!! I remember my dad gave my mom the teapot for Mom’s day once and it was well over $150 by itself.
For you guys that love the modern square white plate look (I’m with you, makes me feel like I’m eating at a fancy restaurant)…both Target and CostPlus World Market have those sets for a pretty decent price. I have 2 huge square white plates from Target that cost me under $5 each. The only thing is if I were going to collect the whole set I’d order it online because it’s always 1/2 sold out in the stores, as it seems to be very popular amongst the yuppie set.
CostPlus’s is slightly more expensive but may be better quality. Plus, they always seem to have a complete set on hand, bowls, salad plates and everything.