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Calling all china mavens
NYMomof2
5724 replies304 threads Senior Member
Well, all you china fanatics, I am not a young bride, I'm an old parent, but I could use your advice. I have had a set of fine china for years, so I'm not in the market for that.
I had Mikasa English Countryside for a while:
Mikasa Dinnerware, English Countryside 45-Piece Set - Casual Dinnerware - Dining & Entertaining - Macy's
One problem was that the dinner plates were so large that they wouldn't fit in the microwave. But the major problem was that the plates chipped like crazy. The bowls and other pieces with a sort of finished rim didn't chip, but everything else did. I had to replace it.
I replaced it with Villeroy and Bosch Audun:
Buy Villeroy & Boch Audun | 3 lines in stock | Plates, Bowls, Serving Items, Tea, Coffee, Other Tableware, Cookware & Kitchenware, Homeware
It's a mix and match set. I have some pieces in the plain yellow border pattern, rice bowls and salad plates in the black and white crosshatched pattern, soup bowls in the pattern with yellow border and a black picture in the middle, and very few pieces in the really complicated pattern. The problem? Those yellow borders are completely marked with gray/black marks. I periodically remove them with Bartender's Friend, but they don't completely disappear and they always come right back. I do put these in the dishwasher and I understand that stainless flatware makes the marks somehow. I use a V&B stainless pattern.
Any suggestions for yet another replacement?
219 repliesI had Mikasa English Countryside for a while:
Mikasa Dinnerware, English Countryside 45-Piece Set - Casual Dinnerware - Dining & Entertaining - Macy's
One problem was that the dinner plates were so large that they wouldn't fit in the microwave. But the major problem was that the plates chipped like crazy. The bowls and other pieces with a sort of finished rim didn't chip, but everything else did. I had to replace it.
I replaced it with Villeroy and Bosch Audun:
Buy Villeroy & Boch Audun | 3 lines in stock | Plates, Bowls, Serving Items, Tea, Coffee, Other Tableware, Cookware & Kitchenware, Homeware
It's a mix and match set. I have some pieces in the plain yellow border pattern, rice bowls and salad plates in the black and white crosshatched pattern, soup bowls in the pattern with yellow border and a black picture in the middle, and very few pieces in the really complicated pattern. The problem? Those yellow borders are completely marked with gray/black marks. I periodically remove them with Bartender's Friend, but they don't completely disappear and they always come right back. I do put these in the dishwasher and I understand that stainless flatware makes the marks somehow. I use a V&B stainless pattern.
Any suggestions for yet another replacement?
Post edited by NYMomof2 on
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Replies to: Calling all china mavens
I love, love these dishes.
But the black spots? I would take it back to the store where I purchased the china. The salesperson can contact their personal rep (assuming that the store can't give you cleaning assistance) for Villeroy & Boch. They should assist you.
And when I do remove them, it sort of dulls the china.
I love the Portmeiron pattern, but it is awfully expensive. I spent a fair amount on the V&B - didn't buy it in a store, bevhill, but from an online store that is now out of business. I should contact V&B, though.
The white Royal Doulton sounds nice, thumper. All white is a possibility, although I'd prefer a pattern.
These are to be used every day.
They are not cheap but are sold open stock in the stores which have periodic sales, you get a discount for every 16 pieces you buy and if you are lucky enough to live near an outlet you can get them for a great price. They are classic and never go out of style.
Dinnerware, Dinnerware Sets & Dish Sets | Williams-Sonoma
The original sets had maroon flower trim. My grandmother and I went to Caldor where she bought them as an engagement gift... so they have great sentimental value. I've added more plain white pieces from Corning stores and thrift shops along the way. They go through the microwave and dishwasher all the time.
The dishes look great with my 29 year old French White casserole dishes. It turned out we mad a classic choice - Corning French White is still in the stores after all these years
Also have Spode Fitzhugh which I stopped putting in the dishwasher because Martha S said not to because it would wear off the color/decoration and those chip/break. Had a set of Dansk Generation dishes I loved and used everyday but they eventually chipped and a couple broke - one cracked in half in the microwave.
Have a Rosenthal Monbijou coffee/tea service that I rarely use and never to microwave. I do put the plates and cups in the dishwasher but not the tea or coffee pot.
Since this is a college forum, many universities have Wedgwood plates, some dating back to the 1930s. I spent over a year finding the 12 for as a gift for D's graduation and was thrilled to get 10 as a wedding gift for a good friend's son - both he and GF (they aren't engaged yet, but I'm hoping) attended the same U. If he doesn't marry the girl, he'll still get the dishes eventually.
Almost didn't open the thread because I thought it was seeking travel advice and I've none to offer. China, though, that's different.
I just started buying Audun 9 months ago and have not had any problems so far. Some of the pieces I've purchased on ebay have been used. V&B are too expensive to put up with problems like that!
I just googled the problem and found this:
What I like about both of the sets we currently use is that they are microwave and dishwasher safe, but are china, not stoneware. I do not like the look of stoneware.
One set of china that I have seen a lot of people use on a daily bases is the royal albert old country roses. This may be too frilly for your taste or lifestyle, but it also goes on sale at Macy's quite a bit.
I have loved the look of the portmerion china, and I have given serve pieces as wedding/engagement gifts. I never did get the set myself.
FYI lots of the Lenox is made in the USA. They have an online store. Here in NJ, they have lots of outlets too. Also if you sign up on their website, I think you get coupons for sales etc.