What an excuse to look at dishes, buy dishes, and then pass them on to good homes. And cooking, because you always want something good to eat, as a reason to get out the dishes and play with the table settings.
If space and funds were unlimited, I’d have sets and sets of dishes – real sets, service for 12 – of every maker and pattern I choose. My walls would be lined with glass display cases, sparkling with china plates and cups, radiant under halogen spotlights. All my rooms would look like the China Room in the White House.
7 responses so far ↓
1 pianosheila // Jan 18, 2009 at 7:54 pm
So what would be your top five china patterns be if money were no object?
I think mine would be….
1) Eugenie de Montijo by Bernadaud.
2) Colleen by Royal Albert (check out the handle shapes on the teapot, covered vegetable, etc……GORGEOUS. Sadly, discontinued.
3) Grace by Grindley. A BEAUTIFUL flow blue pattern. I have maybe 30 pieces.
4) Baronesse White by Hutchenreuther/Tirschenreuther. The serving piece shapes are just gorgeous. And you can’t go wrong with a set of all-white china. It looks AWESOME dressed up with red/green table linens for Christmas, or lavender (or other pastel) linens for Easter.
5) To go casual–or more fall/winter my choice would be Pfaltzgraff Heritage White.
I have a massive collection. It’s not the fanciest, but every imaginable piece is made. Batter bowls, spoon rests, deviled egg tray, etc. etc. This pattern looks great on any rustic tablecloth or placemat.
The one drawback is…..it is HEAVY!! When the platter is filled with food, it’s like lifting weights to pass it around the table.
I can’t wait to read your list!!
2 Kimbesa // Jan 22, 2009 at 5:39 am
I don’t know if I could get it down to only 5. Perhaps I’d have to build on a room…LOL…
1. I have some Pfaltzgraff Mountain Shadow. Nice colors to coordinate with lots of other china. But also heavy, like the Heritage White.
2. Also have some Summer Chintz by Johnson Brothers. Recently discontinued, but it was made for a long time, and so it’s still find-able.
It took me a long time to choose that one, because I like so many patterns.
3. I’d love to have a set of Spring Willow by Kent China. It’s a beautiful vintage pattern.
4. Sprite, a Lenox pattern from the Temperware line is also cute. I have a creamer and sugar (no top). Heavy, though.
5. Mikasa Blue Honey. Again, heavy. But the dinner plates are wonderfully generous, great for a homey vintage dish I sometimes make, which I call Chicken and Noodles, Hoosier style. It’s basically plain boiled chicken with some toothy noodles, served over mashed potatoes. Carbs over the top…but filling! These plates would work great for that, because they have a 1″ rim.
I can see I’ve barely touched fine china…
3 Ronda Ringo // Feb 17, 2010 at 1:16 am
Hi Kimbesa, I’m always looking for vintage/antique nautical dishes. Would love to talk to you about this sometime.
4 Kimbesa // Feb 17, 2010 at 1:37 am
I look for that kind of dinnerware in my travels, because it is not that common, and many people are interested in it, especially for homes on the water.
I have a bit left of a pattern called Anchors Aweigh by Sango, which I got last summer. Most of it went to a gentleman who had spent many years in the Navy.
5 Kimbesa // Feb 17, 2010 at 1:37 am
I’d be happy to talk to you about this topic.
6 Allison // Jul 21, 2010 at 7:34 am
Do you know of anyone who needs a set of KINGSBURY by Gorham. I have a set that we got as wedding gifts 34 years ago that have never been used. It is in my China Cabinet It has a silver rim abound the edge.
7 Kimbesa // Jul 21, 2010 at 7:51 am
Hello!
I get versions of your question a lot. I recommend people explore selling sets of dinnerware via their local CraigsList dot org. Much better to sell locally than try to ship, unless you are experienced in packing and can do it yourself.
I looked this up on Replacements dot com…very pretty!
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