STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

cc · Marc Jacobs

Looking for new tableware and flatware

cahabo · Kate Spade

I absolutely love your glasses! For dishes I love love love Corelle! Not sure if you want a whole set, and I'm not sure if they are available in single pieces, but they are wonderful. They are light-weight and don't break easily. I prefer plain white like these because they don't clash with other kitchen wares:
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For flatware I think stainless steel is great. Especially ones with a round handle. Round handles are easy on the hands. Something like this is what I'd recommend:
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alagirl · Kenneth Cole

I have these from Pottery Barn: (they also come in a light yellow color)

I love them, but they are a little heavy.

I really like this flatware. They're a good quality stainless steel.
I was in Pier 1 a couple weeks ago and they had some great tablewatre. You might want to check them out.

halleybird · Hermes

world market has some cool dinnerware, and it's pretty inexpensive.

I have these, and I love them b/c they go with any other dishes I have:

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I also like these:

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I also like Target:
Dinner Set - Soft Square

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I prefer flatware that has a smooth back toit, as opposed to something that feels stamped and is rough along the back and hurts you hands when you hold it. I just bought some in a very simple, handle, and continental sized.

As for plates, I collect dessert/salad plates in various colors and petterns, so my every day plates and company plates are always white. (My china isn't too busy either, so that's just my style). I read something once about how you should always be able to appreciate the red of a tomato on a plate, and that white dishes allow that, and I liked that idea, so white it has been. I usually buy open stock because boxed white plates that are quality and likeable are hard to find, in my experience.

-gd

Hedvig · Coach

My favorite brand would have to be Iittala - maybe because I'm from Finland and it's a Finnish brand.

I really like their Teema collection in white, it's so modern and simple:

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I also really like some of their flatware:

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Cortney1982 · Chanel

Go with white dinnerware. That way they look great with your colorful glasses.

B00005OUCN.16._SCLZZZZZZZ_SS260_.jpg My silverware looks exactly like these. I love them because they don't make marks on my fingers. Comfortable to hold. Also they are modern looking but wont clash with traditional wares.

mikacat · Coach

cc wrote:

ETA: The only wrinkle is that a few years ago my mom bought me this set to use. I guess I'll save it for fancier occassions but I'd like whatever flatware I buy to look ok with it as well as more modern, casual dishes.

-- Edited by cc at 22:16, 2007-04-08

cc- is this china Gien? I love their patterns and the China is so nice. I drooled over registering for the Colorado pattern for our casual china when we got married but decided to just register for our fancy china so i would get it all. But one day, I will get some Gien. Right now, we just use some plain white plates from Pottery Barn. Boring, I know but I work lots of colors in with accent plates or bowls. I use some neat blue asian pieces to mix things up a bit.

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

i have to second iittala. if i had to choose my dinnerware again i'd definately be looking at a set made by iittala.

i only have a set of striped bowls made by iittala, but the quality is SO amazing. the finish NEVER scratches.

i bought a set of all white dishes a few years ago (signature by denby) and i love that i chose all white because i've been able to mix in all sorts of patterned and colorful pieces as i see something that i love.

i have this set of flatware it's guernica by dalia. i read somewhere recently that this pattern is now part of a collection in a (cannot remember which one) design museum. but since i'm such a design junkie, it made me feel like i had made a good choice.

Hedvig wrote:

My favorite brand would have to be Iittala - maybe because I'm from Finland and it's a Finnish brand. I really like their Teema collection in white, it's so modern and simple:

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

I just bought new dinnerware this weekend. It's by "The Golden Rabbit"
it's very casual, but it has beachy elements that I looooove. It's enamelware, and my mom used to call it "camp china"...

http://www.spattermatter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=418

cc · Marc Jacobs

Thanks so much for your suggestions! White is probably the best choice and I'm going to go to some stores to see flatware in person.

mikacat - it is Gien. I was in Bloomingdales a few years ago with my mother and said "oh this is pretty" and when Christmas came around she gave me the plates and then the bowls for my birthday. For a while I felt bad because it's not what I actually would have chosen for my china pattern but it is really different and will be nice for dinner parties and special occassions. She also just showed me this set of sterling that she bought for me at an auction which goes really well with the china - it's a very simple design with a small bell flower at the base. So I'm all set for more formal dining!

Teresa · Kate Spade

Hedvig!
I'm finnish too! yay for us!

Hedvig · Coach

collegegirl5858 wrote:

Hedvig!
I'm finnish too! yay for us!

That's so funny, collegegirl! I had no idea! smile

Suasoria · Chanel

I'm in love with my flatware - it looks a lot like the ones alagirl posted but it's Cambridge "Townhouse." It comes in a matte or shiny steel. It's hefty and feels good in the hand, plus it's comfortable - $50 for a 20-piece set from Bed Bath & Beyond. Ya can't beat that.

I also have white stoneware because food looks more appetizing on it, and I need all the help I can get at times. It's called "Architecture" and was one of those "only at Bloomingdales" things so I'll never be able to get replacements. What I liked is that each piece (bowl, plate, cup, saucer, salad/dessert plate) has a different raised pattern on the rim, and they remind me of crown molding. It's a little better than basic.

I could use some help with dinnerware too...now that my dining room has an Indian/Middle Eastern vibe I'm craving something with color, like a solid red, mustard, or terra cotta color. I'm thinking about Fiestaware or something along those lines, so I'll always be able to replace a piece or two down the line. But I'd like something more handmade-looking or even ethnic/rustic, so long as it's open stock. Any ideas? Cost Plus/WM or Pier One seem to rotate their merch often, so I'm afraid if I break a bowl I'll be stuck.