Do you have a favorite brand of dishes?

ejheart

Ideally, I would like to have some everyday dishes and some nicer dishes (either something a little better quality or even something like what BBB calls "everyday china"). 

I have no idea where to start. I've looked at reviews and it seems like the ones that I like (looks-wise) always end up having bad reviews about chipping quickly, etc. Soo, any suggestions? We are registering at BBB and probably C&B but are open to one more place so it doesn't necessarily have to be brand-limited to those two.

Along the same line, are there any brands that we should definitely stay away from? TIA!

professorscience

I don't really know about brands, but our "everyday" dishes are made to look somewhat "distressed," so chips and things will actually add to their appeal (I hope).  They are "Bellezza" by Vietri, and I know you can get them at Belk.  I don't know where else unless you want to go to the little boutique in Waco where we registered for all our fine kitchenware.  

cwaggoner07

I don't have any actual advice, but I can tell you that we registered for these for everyday use. His mother is older and we will eventually get all of her China, so we didn't register for any.

ejheart

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_do-you-have-a-favorite-brand-of-dishes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:7b36f44f-1bde-4cad-b2c7-05035991b4d5Post:12e12e10-c5dc-4a56-b683-7c802dd92c76">Re: Do you have a favorite brand of dishes?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't have any actual advice, but I can tell you that we registered for these for everyday use. His mother is older and we will eventually get all of her China, so we didn't register for any.
Posted by cwaggoner07[/QUOTE]

<div>Was there supposed to be a link there, perhaps? :)</div>

dzinegrl

What dinnerware is made of usually determines how easily it will chip.  Earthenware chips the easiest and is very porous, so it's not a good idea to soak earthenware dishes in a sink full of water.  Usually, earthenware is glazed, and darker in color.  The next step up is stoneware, which is fired at a higher temperature than earthenware, making it more durable and chip resistant.  Porcelain is even more durable than earthenware or stoneware.  Stoneware is usually more creamy in color, whereas porcelain is more of a stark white color.  Next in line for durability is fine china, and bone china is the most durable.

We didn't register for fine china, because we will probably never use it, and we just don't have room to store it for future use.  We registered for porcelain dinnerware at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, because we want it to last for a long time, and the earthenware we already have chipped after only using it a couple of times.

If you check the descriptions of dinnerware, it should tell you what it is made of, and this should help you determine the quality.  I hope this helps!

juliebug1997

We got our every day at BBB and we've both been a little bit disappointed in their--strength?  Starting at about two months after our wedding, we started getting chips and cracks.  We've been married three years now and I think we'll be looking at some new dishes next year when we re-do the kitchen.  While I don't like their bowls, we may look at Fiesta or something by Pfaltzgraff.  

cwaggoner07

BAHAHAHA yes, the link. Sorry, should never be on the computer past my bedtime.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/dinnerware-sets/hayes-dinnerware/f43271

angelsong21

We just ordered some everyday use ones from BBB -- Corningware French White 16-Piece Dinnerware Set.  They had a couple good reviews and honestly, after our experience with Target plates, I'd be happy with a set of dishes that last a year or two and that not only say they are microwavable, but actually are microwavable.  Our Target dishes would get super hot and shatter if we put them in the micro, and H constantly forgot this.

These new dishes have been nice thusfar.  The don't get hot at all in the microwave, easy to clean, no staining. I like that no matter what we decide to do with our decor in the kitchen, this will still work with it.  The only problem with white dishes is the knife marks you get on them, but that doesn't really bother me for now.  I've only noticed one thusfar after three weeks of use.

ejheart

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_do-you-have-a-favorite-brand-of-dishes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:7b36f44f-1bde-4cad-b2c7-05035991b4d5Post:48992375-f1cf-439b-81f0-c6774a90c34d">Re: Do you have a favorite brand of dishes?</a>:
[QUOTE]What dinnerware is made of usually determines how easily it will chip.  Earthenware chips the easiest and is very porous, so it's not a good idea to soak earthenware dishes in a sink full of water.  Usually, earthenware is glazed, and darker in color.  The next step up is stoneware, which is fired at a higher temperature than earthenware, making it more durable and chip resistant.  Porcelain is even more durable than earthenware or stoneware.  Stoneware is usually more creamy in color, whereas porcelain is more of a stark white color.  Next in line for durability is fine china, and bone china is the most durable. We didn't register for fine china, because we will probably never use it, and we just don't have room to store it for future use.  We registered for porcelain dinnerware at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, because we want it to last for a long time, and the earthenware we already have chipped after only using it a couple of times. If you check the descriptions of dinnerware, it should tell you what it is made of, and this should help you determine the quality.  I hope this helps!
Posted by dzinegrl[/QUOTE]

Wow, that was really informative! Thank you!

Carrie, I was actually considering those that you guys registered for. We're a tad obsessed with gray but I couldn't decide if having gray dishes would be overload. Haha.

Julie, do you know the brand or name of yours that you don't like?

juliebug1997

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_do-you-have-a-favorite-brand-of-dishes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:7b36f44f-1bde-4cad-b2c7-05035991b4d5Post:d458cab3-7c7a-43fa-95ae-496774b77f81">Re: Do you have a favorite brand of dishes?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do you have a favorite brand of dishes? : Wow, that was really informative! Thank you! Carrie, I was actually considering those that you guys registered for. We're a tad obsessed with gray but I couldn't decide if having gray dishes would be overload. Haha. Julie, do you know the brand or name of yours that you don't like?
Posted by ejheart[/QUOTE]

<div>I don't.  We bought yellow and red and they say "hand painted" on them.  Bill hates them because they say "Made in China".  We were trying to go with an Italian kind of thing on our kitchen.  We even got a few pattern serving pieces.  I really like the bowls--they're nice and deep--and the mugs as well.  We got the square dinner and salad plates and I have to wonder if that's part of it.  My round dishes have never chipped that easily.</div>

fallbride1109

Our every day dishes are the plain white ones from the Pottery Barn.  What's nice about them is they can also be "dressed up" for entertaining if I don't feel like using my china (which has to be hand washed).

juliebug1997

Here's the Pfaltzgraff website.  They have a real store/outlet down in San Marcos.

http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/

mandaroo7

Our everyday dishes are made by Lenox.  They are not fine china, I promise.  I've had them for years and I've only had one crack.    I absolutely love them.

Good luck!

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_do-you-have-a-favorite-brand-of-dishes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:7b36f44f-1bde-4cad-b2c7-05035991b4d5Post:9e8395da-cc9f-4ecf-afb1-d29f82520e08">Re: Do you have a favorite brand of dishes?</a>:
[QUOTE]Here's the Pfaltzgraff website.  They have a real store/outlet down in San Marcos. <a href="http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/</a>
Posted by juliebug1997[/QUOTE]

Oh I love Pfaltzgraff.  My mother has the entire set of "Christmas Heritage" as her holiday dishes. Very durable and not crazy expensive either.

courtski2004

For everyday dinnerware we got an amazing (and relatively inexpensive) set at, of all places, Ikea. We've had it for 3 years, and it has proven to be extremely durable. No scratches from knives or forks, and no chips. My parents switched to Fiestaware about 8 years ago, and love it. I can't be of much assistance for China, most of what we have has been handed down from generations of grandparents.