White everyday dishes?

[Twoboos]

I'm thinking I want a new set of everyday dishes. We have had ours for 10+ years, we are down to service for 7, and the bowls are showing spoon marks (if that makes sense). It's a Phaltzgraff set (and you're right, I can't speel Phaltzgraff!) that is now discontinued.

I've been looking at a bunch of sets - but my real problem is I want mugs, not teacups/saucers. Why should this be hard?? <sigh> I suppose I could buy separate mugs.

Anyone have anything they love? Some I've been looking at:

Martha Stewart Basketweave. ALthough I don't really want basketweave design in general, it might have to do, but open stock for add'l pieces
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=247690&CategoryID=30844

A friend has Italian Countryside, I've loved it for years, probably the most options, and I could probably use an add'l macy's coupon on it.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=19971&CategoryID=39171

Love this from WS but can't bring myself to spend $660+ on 8 place settings
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/d496/index.cfm?pkey=ctbldnwwht

[kayte]

Do you have a Crate and Barrel near you? We have everyday white dishes from there that have held up very well. I was there over the weekend and they had LOTS of white sets on sale. I looked online and there are some also on sale there...but not as much as the store.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/ceramic-glass-dinnerware/outlet/1

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/plates-bowls-mugs/outlet/1

[elektra]

I love our plain white crate and barrel dishes too. I got them all at the C&B outlet. I thought our pattern was called "Diner" but I don't see that on the link that kayte posted. The "Hemisphere" looks like it could be it though.

[mommabear]

Ikea has some that you buy each piece so you can easily get your mugs.

[Twoboos]

Oh, totally forgot about C&B! I love this Staccato one
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14176&f=11019

[sunriseiz]

A friend has Italian Countryside, I've loved it for years, probably the most options, and I could probably use an add'l macy's coupon on it.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=19971&CategoryID=39171]


We've had this for almost 15 years and I still love it. I got the tall (capacino?? I can't spell either!) mugs to go with the dishes. Let us know what you get!

[mommylamb]

We got ours at bloomingdales. They had a great selection for very reasonable prices.

[secchick]

I have the Italian Countryside. I have had it for 8 years now and it is still perfect. I bought it when a local department store was closing down and was able to pick up additional serving pieces at outlets. It has definitely served our family well. Inall those years we had only one bowl that chipped on the bottom slightly.

[mommylamb]

pottery barn has some nice ones too for reasonable prices. Check out:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12482/index.cfm?pkey=cdinnerware-white

[Asianmommy]

Ooh--I like the staccato ones, too!

[larig]

elecktra we have the diner pattern too! I had it before I got married and have had it for gosh, 13 years now. It has these cute little short coffee cups that we are now using for putting purees in for DS. I liked the white, because there were other CB things that we could use that would match--like we got some chili bowls separately that look great with the diner pattern. White gives you some flexibility for choosing colorful napkins, and I think food looks great on white plates.

You should also try CB2 (it didn't exist when I bought my dishes). They are CB's younger, edgier, CHEAPER sibling store.

[DietCokeLover]

You might also look at Pier 1. They are having phenomenal sales and you might be able to pick and choose your pieces.

[squimp]

I just went through this search for plain white porcelain plates, and here's what I learned.

Crate and Barrel quality was really good (in terms of the appearance of the plate and smoothness of the porcelain). And you can buy open stock. They also have mugs, which we also prefer to cup/saucer combo.

The Apilco stuff from W-S is even better, but it's not 4X better as the price might suggest. Same for Denby porcelain.

Pottery Barn plates were terrible quality, as were the Target ones, based purely on the surface appearance, smoothness and scratches. I feel like new plates should not come with scratches included.

Not all plates are the same size! And those really pretty ones from C&B did not fit in my cabinets, much less my dishwasher.

I ended up with a rimless style from Pier One - the quality was great, as was the price. So happy!

[jent]

Another plug for Crate & Barrel-- ours has held up for 7+ years and looks great. Ours was the Diner dinnerware, which has been discontinued, but these look similar, both are on sale & come with mugs:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14174&f=27385

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14174&f=10931

[SASM]

If you have an IKEA nearby, this is the set that we have ~ off-white, substantial with a little whimsy, no matching mugs:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00057845

We have these coordinating cereal bowls ~ http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60113914

I really didn't care if my dinnerware had a coodinating mug b/c I have been collecting these mugs for years (LOVE their uniqueness, LARGE 20-oz size, TONS of compliments) ~ http://www.chaleur.com/ I've had sets in the past but never used the coordinating cups/mugs b/c I would always go to these. :)

I didn't want to spend a fortune on a set of 8 "casual" b/c I like switching things up every 5 years or so and would feel obligated to stick with an expensive set. ;)

Good luck with your decision! :)

[sdjeppa]

Another vote for Crate and Barrel. We got 9 place settings of http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=85&f=11023&q=roulette&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

for our wedding 12 years ago, and as klutzy as I am, have only chipped the underside of 1 plate, and broken 2 teacup handles. I still love it, and its still in excellent shape.

[traciann]

I have the italian countryside, and I wouldn't recommend it for everyday dishes. I was the one who insisted we get it, but I am not happy with how several bowls and plates are now chipped after six years of use.

[Tondi G]

For some reason I am drawn to this style... clean, white and it comes with mugs instead of cups and saucers which I NEVER use!

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14176&f=10931

Let us know what you decide on... I am thinking it's time to replace the Ikea set we got oh... 12 years ago..... sure has lasted that ikea stuff!

[squimp]

For some reason I am drawn to this style... clean, white and it comes with mugs instead of cups and saucers which I NEVER use!

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14176&f=10931

Let us know what you decide on... I am thinking it's time to replace the Ikea set we got oh... 12 years ago..... sure has lasted that ikea stuff!

Those are the ones we got, until I got them home and they didn't fit in my cupboards nor my dishwasher - and as much as I'd love to get all new kitchen and dishwasher, I figured I better find new plates! So my advice is measure the plates and your cupboards before you buy!

[heatherlynn]

Amazon Friday sale:

http://tinyurl.com/ccoqjr

[ahrimie]

I just went through this search for plain white porcelain plates, and here's what I learned.

Crate and Barrel quality was really good (in terms of the appearance of the plate and smoothness of the porcelain). And you can buy open stock. They also have mugs, which we also prefer to cup/saucer combo.

The Apilco stuff from W-S is even better, but it's not 4X better as the price might suggest. Same for Denby porcelain.

Pottery Barn plates were terrible quality, as were the Target ones, based purely on the surface appearance, smoothness and scratches. I feel like new plates should not come with scratches included.

Not all plates are the same size! And those really pretty ones from C&B did not fit in my cabinets, much less my dishwasher.

I ended up with a rimless style from Pier One - the quality was great, as was the price. So happy!

You know, I have the CB plates from my wedding registry. And I always tell people to go with a real dish/plate company like Corelle or Mikasa. I don't feel like they're good quality. I've had several several chip in the last 3 years and we didn't even have any children/babies then so it's purely from just wear and tear; I don't even use a dishwasher and handwash it all. And with a baby now, I just don't feel like they're very sturdy. I much prefer my cheaper Corelle ones from pre-marriage.

[caleymama]

I retired our Pfaltzgraff a year ago. As much as I loved it, I was tired of how heavy and big it was. I replaced it with Corelle in Winter Frost White (http://www.corelle.com/index.asp?pageId=52&pid=75). I picked up 2 sets at Walmart and then some open stock pieces at Walmart to round out our stuff (large serving bowl, small bowls, pasta/salad plates, etc.). Our sets (dinner plates, cereal bowls, bread & butter plates) came with glass drinking glasses but there were sets that came with stoneware mugs as well. We use glass cafe mugs (http://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-16-Ounce-Cafe-Mug/dp/B001CFQUGA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1232722973&sr=8-3) instead of regular mugs, so I didn't need mugs. We also have some smaller glass mugs that I found at Kmart, but I don't see them on their website. I love the Corelle b/c it is lightweight but sturdy, inexpensive w/o being cheap, easy to customize my selection, easy to purchase/replace, and so on. Very happy with my switch.

My sister has the WS Apilco and it's nice but I too can't fathom spending that much on dishes right now (especially with 2 kids that use our regular dishes!).

[1964pandora]

I've always wanted the Apilco porcelain WS sells, but at $20+ a plate, I can't do it. I've been meaning to try to find a brand of porcelain of the same or very similar quality, but I've never figured out how to determine porcelain quality. If someone else has done that, I would love to know what you've come up with! It's difficult to give up my Apilco dreams.

[malphy]

corelle has some nice sets and although they are delicate they are very sturdy.

They have really come out with some nice stuff.

my 2 cts

[Twoboos]

Amazon Friday sale:

http://tinyurl.com/ccoqjr

Holy cow, I was about to pull the trigger on this (can't believe it was the Friday Sale, nice catch heatherlynn!!) and the plates are 11 1/8 and I measured and they would just make it to the edge of my cabinet, or basically not fit. I think I'd have to overhaul where everything is.

I really have to go look at everything IRL. You guys have given me a lot to think about!!

[gatorsmom]

I have the Mikasa Italian Countryside pattern as our everyday dishes. I too hate all the tea cups (each placesetting came with one so I have 14!!!!). I was told that Italian Countryside was their most popular pattern ever so you can find just about anything in that pattern. A year or so ago I bought 8 "mugs" to go with the set and use them everyday. I think I got mine through Direct Buy but I"m sure you could find them several places online.

[Twoboos]

Actually, forgot to mention that they sell a 16 piece set (service for 4) that is dinner plate/salad plate/bowl/mug. But it's $139 which seems SO steep compared to 45 piece set for $159!

I cannot handle all those teacups/saucers either.

ETA amazon link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AE8NLE/ref=s9_subs_c6_s2_p79_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=0C4B5QGBBVAGZ545Z0ER&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383411&pf_rd_i=507846

[ECMom]

I have Mikasa French Countryside for my everyday dishes. I wish they were a more bright white like Italian Countryside. It's definitely a strudy set and I have been pleased with the quality. I've had them 8-10 yrs.

[rfeibelm]

Check these out:

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/d103/index.cfm?pkey=cdinnerware&ckey=dinnerware

This is what we bought several years ago and have had really good luck with them. Good price, mix and match, cups/saucers or mugs and they've held up really well!

[let73]

We have used Fiestaware dishes for almost 10 years. I noticed that they come in white:
http://www.amazon.com/Fiesta-16-Piece-Service-Dinnerware-White/dp/B0001G0FH6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1232855879&sr=8-1

[squimp]

You know, I have the CB plates from my wedding registry. And I always tell people to go with a real dish/plate company like Corelle or Mikasa. I don't feel like they're good quality. I've had several several chip in the last 3 years and we didn't even have any children/babies then so it's purely from just wear and tear; I don't even use a dishwasher and handwash it all. And with a baby now, I just don't feel like they're very sturdy. I much prefer my cheaper Corelle ones from pre-marriage.

I hear ya, but I spent a fortune on Denby, which is a real dish company, and it still chipped. My sister has had her C&B for 5 years with no chips. I'm crossing my fingers on the Pier One stuff, and luckily it's inexpensive enough that I can buy a bunch of extras. Corolle feels odd to me, but I do love the very old diner-type china - I've bought pieces in thrift stores that held up forever.