Lynn, although I think both sets would work with your plates colorwise, my eyes are drawn to the celadon green plates. To me, your plates look very delicate and I think the green emphasizes and compliments the look of your dishes more than the brown does. I also think the green plates bring out more of the color in your own plates.

Which do you like better?

DG, I agree with everything you've said. These pinecone plates are delicate china plates and the celedon b&b's do seem like a better fit with them. I think my only hesitation is that I'll be using these plates mainly in the Fall and Winter (except during the Christmas Season, as I already have 2 sets of Christmas dinnerware). My concern was that the colors might be too delicate for that time of year . . . although I could use brown placemats to add that Autumny brown into the mix, as well.
Thanks so much for your insights and opinion!
Lynn

I can see your difficulty in trying to come up with something. I like the colour of the brown one better but agree, it is too busy. The green/white one is more simple but is it the right colour of green to go with the pine branches?(hard for me to tell in the pic)

Have you thought of scrapping the idea of salad "plates" and looking for small "bowls" instead?

DD

Lynn,

I have a different take. While I think the celadon plates have the gold rim which is nice, I love the pop of the brown plates. I don't think the pattern is too busy but you have a valid point with their more casual nature. On the other hand, I think of pine cones as "casual" on their own and maybe that colors my judgment toward the brown plates. Some Franciscan pottery is relatively delicate and some is heavy. I'm not familiar with this pattern.

It also appears from the photo that the center of the celadon plates may be more "cream" than white. If you can't decide between these two, maybe you can decide which color appeals to you more and keep looking! (I've been looking for YEARS for some things)...

- Magpie

THIS is why I need a dish storage pantry like Dreamgoddess!!!! I was doing an internet search for natural fiber brown placemats and ran across a picture of a leaf-shaped dish.

"Hmmmmm," I thought, "those look familiar."
Lightbulb goes off in my head and I remember . . . I OWN those dishes! You know, sometimes, I scare myself with the things I forget!

Anyhoo, I pulled out the leaf dishes and tried them with a pinecone dinner plate and a placemat I use occasionally in the Fall (not ironed today, though). So what do you think about this combination?
{{gwi:1415295}}

You know, this really would never have happened if my DH would have (somehow) created a fabulous dish pantry for me, like DG's sweet DH did :~(
Lynn ;^P

. . . that the look I'm going for with the pinecone plates is an Autumn woodsey look? I'm originally from Michigan, and when I think of Autumn, I think of woods filled with deciduous and pine trees, lakes and streams, fly fishing and hiking: Rustic but Classic. Can these two plates carry off that feeling . . . or, if you're not from Michigan, do they look too disparate?

Lynn, your dishes are lovely ! I really like the celadon color, but don't really think it carries off the look you are aiming for. The leaf plate is nice, but it seems to overpower the plate.. just my own opinion :>)
What about a solid color b & b in either a green or brown to play off the colors in the pinecones ? Or, if you could find some plaid plates in fall colors that would be even better. I agree with DG.. the plates look so delicate and it may be hard to find something that dosen't overpower them.I remember seeing some plates somewhere that had rainbow trout in the center of them that would look stunning with your plates.. now if I can just remember where I saw them and get a pic.

Susan

I know what Susan is talking about. These are Spode plates that are brown and white with fish or game birds (MIL has some). Wasn't it you, Lynn, who bought the Spode plates? Have you put them together (I know they're not the right size) to see how they look?

- Magpie

If you have to have something now, go with the green...but if you can wait, keep looking for the perfect plate..(does it exist??:) )

I didn't buy the Spode plates, but I did fall in love with them. The TM near here carried the dinner plates, but all had the same fish on it . . . and I don't need dinner plates. I did do a search on them, though, and found that they never put out a b&b plate. The rest of the line is too over-sized to use with the pinecone plates.

Well, I really appreciate all your opinions. I'll just keep an eye out for the right plates. Perhaps in the Fall, someone will put out the perfect plates for me. In the meantime, let me know if you see something that might work.

Okay Lynne .. I remembered where I had seen the plates .. and Valley is right.. they are Spode. I saw them on a website called Gift Collector. They have the plates, but they also have the salad plates which are 8 inches. They are in the Spode Woodland Collection. All the fish are different.. rainbow trout,walleye,pacific salmon,etc. They also have turkeys,hunting dogs,american eagles and wildlife. They are $19.99 each plus s&h and they can be mixed and matched. It was making me nuts wondering where I had seen them.. lol !

Susan

I'm sure no expert on this subject, but from looking at the pictures, I really like the last one with your leaf plate and the plaid placemat. The green and brown in the leaf plate seems to mimic the pine cones and needles. Just a more rustic feeling to go along with the pine cones. I love your pine cone plates, and I think as time passes you will come up with more than one look with them. I think a lighter solid brown plate or a bit darker solid green plate would work too. You should keep one of the pinecone plates in your car so when you are shopping and see a possiblility you can try it out! LOL

Luvs

I'd get the Madeira plates anyways...those are so very classy!! The leaf does overpower the plate, but I bet it would look great beside it, with just a simple bowl on the plate instead.

Lovely dishes, anyways...

I personally would go for the green plates... By the way, like the leaf :-)

Lynn,
Another vote for the green plates here. But, I do agree that you should continue your great dish hunt for the perfect set to complement the lovely pine cone dishes. The leaf plate is beautiful but its too strong for the delicate pattern on your dishes, sorry! But its so fun to try different settings and its great that you are sharing the process with us! :)

Mo

To me, if these were the ONLY choices...the green seems to be the nicest selection. I like each of the other dishes, seperately. However..to match them up with your pinecone plates, which are Very delicate >> both in pattern and shape >> I would wait until just the Right one comes along. I think you'll know it right off when you find it. JMO
jane

Thanks again for all your opinions . . . I needed them! The computer was down all morning, and I was in town all afternoon picking up last minute giifts for my sweet Emily's 15th b'day tomorrow . . . so I'm just seeing this thread now. Gotta run and wrap her gifts before she gets home from tennis practice. More tomorrow! Oh, BTW, the Christmas dec arrived today. I'll try and take pics tomorrow.
Lynn