China Registry: How much/Place Setting?

[elephant]

See, I have this *slight* problem.... Champaign tastes on a beer budget.... Everytime I fall in love with a china pattern, I find out it's 200-300 PER placesetting. Now, other people have said I have no business even thinking about thinking about 200-300/place setting, but I'm just having difficulty finding something I love.... And I for sure do not want to be greedy!!!!

ETA: IF, and this is a huge if, I put the expensive china on my registery, I would divvy it up into Dinner plate for $90, etc. -- not expect someone to pay $300 just themselves. ALSO, my mom and my aunt offered to piece it together for me and buy me that for my wedding present, but I STILL feel really bad because that's a LOT of money!!!!

 

[ame]

Ok I must be under a rock but I have never SEEN china priced OVER $50 a place setting. Mine was about $30 a place setting, from Crate and Barrel, and ironically called AUDREY and is Tiffany Blue, Ivory and Brown. My husband and I LOATHE Tiffany but find it hilarious how much we loved this pattern.

We got every setting and all the additional stuff in the set that we asked for. I didn''t want a gravy boat.

 

[MelissaSue]

Ame - My friend just registered for that exact same china! Its SOOO pretty. I really like it.. I thought about copying her.. but then I realized there is no crate and barrell anywhere NEAR me.

Elephant - I am not registering for "formal" china. I am inheriting two sets of formal china.. one REALLY formal, like so delicate I feel like it will break with me just picking it up. and one supposedly "everyday" but not really something I''d use everyday. I really don''t feel the need to register for fancy stuff that I won''t use.

I also have a beautiful set of everyday wear that FMIL bought me last year. Its from Target and it''s called Restaurant Row, and it has those pictures of little French shops that there are little plaques of.. The salad plates and mugs have the full pics on them, I believe the full size plates and bowls are just white with a trim on them.. I can''t find any of the pics right now, but do you know what I''m talking about?


FMIL insists I need to find something that will "match" but I have 8 settings, and I really don''t see that I''ll need more than that (espeically since we just got our dining room table, and it only has 6 chairs!).. but I want to have something else too.. you know.. incase I don''t run the dishwasher for a few days.. sooo

I THINK that I am going to register for this stuff for my true "everyday" china.. from Bed Bath and Beyond. I actually copied IT from another friend of mine who got married last year. I''m so unoriginal.

I figure it is simple enough that if it had to, It wouldn''t look awful with the French stuff, and I really like the modern look of it. Especially the square plates.
a 4 setting (16 piece) set is $50 and individual square plates which I definitely want..are $5 each for 8 inch, and $10 for 13 inch.

 

[MelissaSue]

this is similar to the designs on my target plates, but not quite. But maybe it will be clearer what I am talking about. I am TERRIBLE at describing things. All I know is my best friend has the whole set of little plaques.. and one large print.. And I love them.

 

[elephant]

ame -- your C&B set sounds really cute!! No, you're not living under a rock -- I think I'm overexposed!!! My mom and my aunt are really into interior design and thus, drag me around to all these show rooms where I see all this beautiful (and expensive) stuff! So, while I originally wanted something basic, I now feel like I really want something w/a little more flair? Sigh.....

Melissa Sue -- that's so funny, I just bought plates like that for a friend of mine for a housewarming gift -- just dessert plates though. I wish I were inheriting something like that -- I would MUCH prefer something that actually meant something to me!!! I just feel like we're going to be doing a lot of entertaining after we get married. The (*current*) plan is that my fiance will work in investment banking/venture capital for 10 years and then perhaps run for office? So, I feel like there is strong possibility for the necessity....

Anyway, this is the Tiffany set I have fallen in love with:

 

[elephant]

And this is the Bernardaud "Constance" that I also love. Initially, I thought those were little leaves, but they''re actually little green acorns!! This one is *slightly* less expensive than the Tiffany....

 

[elephant]

Trying again....

 

[elephant]

And just to make myself feel better, this one is $3500 a place setting.... Eeek! I don't understand what makes these things so expensive!!!! At least I don't want THAT one!!!

 

[glaucomflecken]

beautiful china girls!

I had a hard time picking too because everywhere I looked each place setting was SO expensive! So I said, eh, what the heck, register for it anyway. I wanted my every day china to be basic and slightly formal but still casual so if I had a big holiday dinner and ran out of formal china, I could use it intermixed with it.

This is what we picked for every day, Wedgewood white, $79.99/setting at bed bath and beyond

 

[glaucomflecken]

And this is what we picked for our formal china, Silk Ribbon Pearl by Ralph Lauren. I just though it was so unique when I saw it. we registered for it at Marshall fields but its about the same everywhere i have seen it, about $100/setting

 

[JessesGrl]

Ame, we got the Crate and Barrel china for our "everday" dishes, aren''t they great!!!! I got lenox china for my "special set"...that i will probably NEVER use

 

[Diamonds4Me]

MelissaSue and anyone else who might have or will be inheriting a set of china, I love this site here:

http://www.ReplacementsLtd.com

When I inherited my two sets of china I went on this site just to figure up replacement cost...kind of makes me not want to use it but..eh...they''ve both been used for fifty plus years so surely I can''t do any more harm to them.

I don''t know if they carry new patterns because I don''t know the names of any of the newer companies. I''m not really on top of china so I only know the one that mine are.

But I thought this would be helpful to anyone who might have a set that''s been passed down and may be missing a few of the pieces. Who knows, they might carry the newer patterns in case any of them ever break

 

[njc]

I answered $100-150, but only because our china retails for $130, but you could find at stores on sale for as low as $75. We actually ended up with 18 placesettings and got to return 6 of them. Is there a possibility that any of the china you like could/would go on sale? You may be surprised at what people are willing to spend...

Our formal is Lenox''s Murray Hill. It is really nice and dainty in real life... the little squares are really thin and not thick like in the pics.

And this is our everyday, Sphere by Pfaltzgraff. DH got a set of 4 when he moved into his apartment for Christmas and we both enjoy it so much, we just asked for another set so we wouldnt have to wash them so often and have more than 2 people over!

I love these HUGE bowls... they are great as serving bowls when its just the two of us!

 

[njc]

Date: 8/15/2005 8:30:24 AM
Author: Diamonds4Me

When I inherited my two sets of china I went on this site just to figure up replacement cost...kind of makes me not want to use it but..eh...they've both been used for fifty plus years so surely I can't do any more harm to them.

Funny you posted that link... my mom found that last year and looked up her china to see prices and what not. As we were setting the table for thanksgiving she was telling me that her gravey boat and the little plate it sits on is like $500. So we set everything up and everyone is eating... my brother is being passed the gravy boat and he takes it by the handle, doesnt grab the little plate too (its kinda stuck on there because some of the gravy spilled)... at the same time me and my mom gasp and watch in horror as the little plate comes unstuck and starts falling towards his plate... we were both thinking the same thing, there goes that $500(!) but luckily nothing broke and everyone made sure to grab the little plate after that!

ETA: i just checked out our china pattern on there, so yes they do carry current patterns... and its cheaper! So Elephant maybe you can register, and then if you dont get a lot, order it from the place at a cheaper price!

 

[MelissaSue]

Thanks for that site diamonds4me. How am suppsosed to know the name of the pattern I have though? My family is not really "on top" of that sort of thing. All I know is it is "Limoges" but there is some other brand stamped on thier too.. Maybe a store name or something?

 

[MelissaSue]

Okay my one set (the really fancy dainty one) says Limoges and then "A Lenterner & Co" - Iti s from my great grandma, the same one that my e-ring stone came from, so it is probably from around the turn of the century. It is extremely dainty, with scallopped edges a teeny pink rose pattern around the outsides of the dishes, and a gold rim. (teabups have gold painted handles)

and the other set, which is still pretty formal, but it is plain, is white with a scallopped edge and says "Sterling Colonial, J& G Meakin England"

Any ideas?

 

[kanne]

elephant

That china is drop dead gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!! Go for it!

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Date: 8/15/2005 9:18:07 AM
Author: MelissaSue
Okay my one set (the really fancy dainty one) says Limoges and then ''A Lenterner & Co'' - Iti s from my great grandma, the same one that my e-ring stone came from, so it is probably from around the turn of the century. It is extremely dainty, with scallopped edges a teeny pink rose pattern around the outsides of the dishes, and a gold rim. (teabups have gold painted handles)

and the other set, which is still pretty formal, but it is plain, is white with a scallopped edge and says ''Sterling Colonial, J& G Meakin England''

Any ideas?

Mine is printed on the back of the plates. But mine aren''t as old so I''m not really sure. Maybe you can email them a picture of it and they can point you in the the right direction? One of mine is the "Stanton" Collection by Noritake and the other, that I for some unknown reason thought was the same company, is "Ivy" from Franciscan China.

It sounds very pretty!

NJC, Yikes! I''m so glad it didn''t break! Mine has the gravy boat but the bottom dish it sits on is attached..and its replacement value is only about $60.00...still don''t want to have to replace it. The most expensive things in the collection are the three covered vegie dishes at $100 a piece. We don''t use those, lol.

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Elephant, I can understand why you fell in love with that Tiffany Collection. Its gorgeous!

PNP, I love your formal set. Absolutely beautiful. I love the lattice work around the edges. I think I'm going to start a collection of all different types of china patterns. Maybe a different place setting each

NJC, I also love yours! Very contemporary!

MelissaSue, do those dishes from Bed Bath and Beyond come in different colors? Very cool

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Date: 8/15/2005 9:18:07 AM
Author: MelissaSue
Okay my one set (the really fancy dainty one) says Limoges and then 'A Lenterner & Co' - Iti s from my great grandma, the same one that my e-ring stone came from, so it is probably from around the turn of the century. It is extremely dainty, with scallopped edges a teeny pink rose pattern around the outsides of the dishes, and a gold rim. (teabups have gold painted handles)

and the other set, which is still pretty formal, but it is plain, is white with a scallopped edge and says 'Sterling Colonial, J& G Meakin England'

Any ideas?

Is it something like this?

ETA: I tried to locate your second set but I can't seem to find it. I did find "sterling" though but there isn't a colonial listed. It could be that it just isn't registered yet.

 

[MelissaSue]

D4Me - Yes.. its quite similar to that.. the floral pattern is just a little different.. and pink. I actually took some pics this morning. Its very pretty.

 

[longtimelurker]

Date: 8/15/2005 1:12:20 PM
Author: Diamonds4Me

Date: 8/15/2005 9:18:07 AM
Author: MelissaSue
Okay my one set (the really fancy dainty one) says Limoges and then ''A Lenterner & Co'' - Iti s from my great grandma, the same one that my e-ring stone came from, so it is probably from around the turn of the century. It is extremely dainty, with scallopped edges a teeny pink rose pattern around the outsides of the dishes, and a gold rim. (teabups have gold painted handles)

and the other set, which is still pretty formal, but it is plain, is white with a scallopped edge and says ''Sterling Colonial, J& G Meakin England''

Any ideas?

Is it something like this?

ETA: I tried to locate your second set but I can''t seem to find it. I did find ''sterling'' though but there isn''t a colonial listed. It could be that it just isn''t registered yet.

Sterling Colonial by Meakin http://www.replacements.com/webquote/MEKSTC.htm But don''t ask me to try to post pictures.


FWIW I had formal (lenox pattern with gold rim) & everyday china when I was first married. I NEVER used the formal--there was always protests about the handwashing at the holidays. So, I sold my everyday & formal, and instead got a lot of a china pattern I could use everyday in the micro & Dishwasher. It''s a lenox pattern, but looks like the wedgewood white. Did the same with my gold-rimmed crystal also & went with a Gorham pattern -- and use the DOF & Hiballs every day.

 

[MelissaSue]

And here is my white stuff... it actually looks more durable (and plainer) than it really is. Its definitely not something I''d use on a daily basis.. but it will be my "starter" good china set.. my mom said she wants to keep the pink floral stuff for a few more years, but it will be mine eventually.

 

[MelissaSue]

oh yeah.. and you asked about that BB&B set. I am pretty sure it only comes in black for that particular set. Oh okay. I just looked at it.. the round stuff comes in all sorts of colors (they sell those in boxed sets of four place settings each) Green, white, brown and black.. but the square matching plates only come in black.. strange.

I swear I saw similar square plates in white when I was in there the other day (but couldn''t find the black ones).. but I don''t see them on the website.

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Date: 8/15/2005 4:32:44 PM
Author: MelissaSue
oh yeah.. and you asked about that BB&B set. I am pretty sure it only comes in black for that particular set. Oh okay. I just looked at it.. the round stuff comes in all sorts of colors (they sell those in boxed sets of four place settings each) Green, white, brown and black.. but the square matching plates only come in black.. strange.

I swear I saw similar square plates in white when I was in there the other day (but couldn''t find the black ones).. but I don''t see them on the website.

Awesome, it is very close in pattern to your set! I guess I didn''t do too bad

I really like the plain white china. Sometimes plain white is so nice because it just looks so neat. As far as the everyday dishes from BB&B, I wish I had found those a few years ago when I was in my "sushi" faze

My table was always set with sushi plates and chop sticks, lol. It looked really cool though.

Here''s a picture of my set:

I really love it because its so simple.

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Elephant, are you any closer to figuring it out? I absolutely love the Tiffany China. It has a Colonial flair to it

 

[MelissaSue]

d4Me- your setting is LOVELY! It is so simple, but the floral pattern makes it so pretty! just beautiful!

 

[diamondfan]

E: there are everyday and then formal chinas, so just know that the formal cannot go in the dishwasher and is deilcate...not stoneware, but bone china. It can be pricey. When I got married, I loved this sterling that was 1500.00 per placesetting. It was European (Italian) and GORGEOUS. I opted for an American stuff. I got Wedgewood, which was 150.00-200.00 per setting, this was 15 years ago. Now my pattern is on Ross Simons for much less. The issue is you might not get whole settings from people, but pieces. BUT, know that A, you should get what you love, especially if you plan on entertaining a lot. Unfortunately, my choice was a compromise for my husband, it is was too simple for me. I love Bernadaud and Christofle and Buccelatti. Therefore, I have used it ONCE in 15 years. I wish I had chosen the more expensive, more formal one that I wanted to begin with, might have wanted to entertain more to show it off! The one for 3500.00 might have real gold filigree on it, by the way...just a thought to explain the price. I would, if they can afford it, let your family get it for you. My mom's best friend bought my china and my mom bought my silver, so I now have it from two special people...let friends with budget constraints get you accessory pieces, and make sure you have lesser priced items for people who cannot spend as much! Just my humble opinion

Edited: My sterling is Towle, it is my china that is Wedgewood...it sounded confusing!

 

[elephant]

Well, a lot of my thinking about this has been shoved to the backburner since I had car drama yesterday. (My car is only a year old and the dealership was being...difficult....

) I feel like I should make a sincere effort/exhaustive search to find something that I really like that''s more affordable.... So, I will do that. Once my options seem to be exhausted, I will definitely pick something.... I love the Tiffany''s and really need to envision the next few decades to ensure taht I will STILL love it, although, it IS fairly timeless.... And I think it''s appropriate for my fiance since he was in the military -- you have the blues and greens and laurels, etc. It''s probably pretty familiar for him!!

But, I am sort of loving the Bernardoud....

For my "everyday" china, I was thinking of doing something with Portmeirion (a nod to the English/Welsh in me!). I can''t decide between the Botanic Garden, the Pomona or the Compleat Angler patterns. Although, my aunt seems to think we can find something "prettier." See? THIS is how I get into trouble!!

I haven''t even STARTED with the silver yet!!! THAT''S going to be tough too. My aunt showed me some at Tiffany that I liked, but I''m just going to pretend I didn''t see it!

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Oh, don''t even get me started in the car department. I just now got my "drama" settled.

Whichever pattern you choose I''m sure it will be beautiful. I''m still diggin'' that Tiffany set, though

(not trying to play devil''s advocate or anything

hehe). Keep postings and we''ll keep lookin''

MelissaSue, thank you. That''s exactly why I love that set. It belonged to my Great Grandmother (I never met her) and when she passed away it went to my Grandmother who decided she was tired of dusting it and brought it all down to me. Hey, I''m not complaining, lol. But she made me promise to use it every day...Hey, I can live with that too

So I have four place settings in the cabinet for every day use and the rest is in the china hutch. Hey, gotta keep my end of the bargain up