You might want to check over on the Holiday and Christmas site on Gardenweb. If it's about dishes they know about it !!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Holiday and Christmas

I have Italian Countryside that I use for my everyday dishes and I think they are lovely and not too heavy.

I have French Countryside (21 years!!!) and I (now) think they are too heavy/large and they don't stack well in my new dishwasher. I am in the market for exactly what you have described - new white or off-white dishes. For me, I am looking for a transitional rather than traditional look. It does not feel normal to not have new dishes since my wedding - is it? I keep wondering if I should be looking for new dishes for the next 20 years or just get something inexpensive for the next 5 years....

I remember the same thread and also some remarks about being wary if they are made in China, I think due to lead.

I'm hoping someone finds the thread or repeats the information for you, so I can benefit!!

Our daughter bought these dishes (Italian Countryside) and loves them. I've had stoneware in the past and found it very negative for every day usage. Mine tended to get chipped on the edges (Leaving and ugly white place because the color is only a very thin layer on the top and bottom) and tended to overheat in microwave. Good luck with your new dishes.

NGT - is this the thread you are talking about?

Here is a link that might be useful: Everyday dishes -- can you help me find them

I have a Pfalzgraff pattern Filagree which is a very simple white on white design. There are many additional pieces. This is considered stoneware I think, but is considerably lighter than my previous Pfalzgraff. I've had it for about 12 years and was recently able to replace some broken pieces easily from their website.
Judy (lurker)

I also have Italian Countryside. I've had them for ten years. They're not too heavy and yet sturdy enough to feel good in the hand and aren't flimsy enough to chip...unless it's my fault. I got them right before they became super popular. Now a lot of people have them it seems. But I still love them. They're a nice, timeless design but not so basic that they're boring. And they're not too busy that you'd tire of them.

My mom got French Countryside a few years ago. Like whenicit said, they're kind of a pain to fit in the dishwasher because of the exaggerated curve of the plates, etc. It's a shame because I love the design of FC and love that not many people have that pattern. But they're definitely heavier and more awkward to stack and fit in the dishwasher.

I loved the three "Countryside" patterns, and bought English Countryside a few years ago. I loved them, but the plates chipped like crazy. I've never had this problem before. The bowls and cups were fine. I finally bought Villeroy and Boch Audun, and I am planning to sell the Mikasa bowls and cups on Ebay, when I get around to it. Maybe the Italian Countryside is a sturdier pattern?

Thanks for the info.
Mcps, that thread is helpful - but I was thinking of one from a year or more ago where they discussed stoneware verus porcelain - I believe the porcelain is a stronger product.
With the opinions above about the Mikassa, some like it and Marisany said they chip like crazy. I wonder why this happens to some people and not to others. My DIL has Pfalzgraff and while they are beautiful dishes, I find them way too heavy.
Good tips on the dishwasher - something else to keep in mind. I am definitely on a mission to replace the Corelle with the fruit on it!!

I have (and love) my Wedgewood Grand Gourmet casual bone china. I got it at the Wedgewood outlet near my home so it was pretty reasonable. I hesitated to buy plain white because it looked so boring on the shelf, but with food on it, I really love it!

Bone china is VERY strong. I've dinged mine good a few times and have yet to chip it. The sales guy actually stood on a delicate little bone china teacup to demonstrate. It's worth the money in my opinion.

Good luck!

Trinity,
I just looked up the Wedgewood - pattern has been discontinued.
I am looking for something similar, something I can use in the kitchen, something I can use on the patio and something I can use in my formal dining room for casual dinners. I have a set of antique china that I absolutely adore, but it can't go in the dishwasher. I usually use it when we have one or two other couples for dinner. I actually enjoy washing it! - but not when I have a big group.
I have service for 16 of my "crowd" china. It is okay for use a few times a year. It's an Oneida pattern, plain white with pearls around the rim.
I bought a whole set of "outdoor" dishes a few years ago, - big mistake. It was plastic and I thought really good plastic. The glasses cracked and it was totally scratched after two seasons.

It was about a year ago I was asking for help with dishes, but I think I was on the Kitchen Forum, so mine's probably not the post you remember.

I got a real education on dinnerware, though. For years, while raising my kids, I used Corelle Frost White for everyday. My only other set was Temperware - Lenox's version of stoneware that was popular in the 70's when I got married.

After many recommendations I went with a Villeroy & Boch set. I would never have thought it would be as durable and chip resistant as it is. I love the weight and feel of it for everyday and there are lots of open stock accompanying pieces to collect over time.

If I hadn't been plugged into GW's forum, I would never have considered using porcelain for everyday, but I just love it.

Several on another board have fallen in love with some of the new Martha Stewart white dishes at Macy's. You can google them and read customer reviews.

Red

Yes, Grand Gourmet is discontinued, but the beauty of white is that you can mix and match pretty easily. I just went with nice and simple. I wouldn't hesitate to use it anywhere given it's strength.

I would never spend money on stoneware again. It's so heavy and just doesn't hold up in my experience.

Good luck! You'll find the right thing. It's so helpful to know what works and doesn't for other people instead of finding out the hard way.

I love scouring the thrift stores, so consequently have a rather large 'supply' of dishes. LOL You could probably put together a nice set, using different patterns~i've seen a lot of white lately. A few cream pieces would also work in nicely, or keep different colors 'on hand'.
Pieces usually run a $1 per piece or less, unless it has a popular brand name on the underside. I've got everything from soup tureens to pitchers, and have several very pretty plates that I chose to hang~I have quite an extensive collection of what I call 'creamware'.

Give it a try before buying anything. For me, the thrill is in the hunt! ;o)

For everyday dishes I think thin is better. I have denby, french countryside, a crate and barrel porcelain set, nikko garden, johnson brothers, a pottery barn set, spode wickerlane and some various crystal sets and dessert sets. 8-12 place settings of everything.
What do we use everyday? Corelle. I can grab 8 plates at a time from the dishwasher and they don't take up much room in the dishwasher either.
I use my other dishes too, all the time, but the corelle is easy. It's like a washable paper plate. No class to it and it's fairly unattractive, but hey, I don't care if it breaks either. Well, I do, because it's a horrendous mess.

I grew up on Corelle and my mom still has it. Yes, it was a mess when it broke but it is so easy to handle (a stack of twelve is pretty manageable) and it's cheap. But it's one of those "practical" things and it would be hard for me to serve guests on it. I don't think you can really dress it up.

There was a Corelle outlet at the outlet mall here and that place was always hopping--not sure if it's still there.

I think there's a huge contingency out there that loves the stuff (and maybe won't admit it). :)

A note about chipped dishes:

My husband called me from out-of-town a few weeks ago and said he had heard it a piece on the radio about harmful bacteria getting trapped in the chips. The story said the bacteria didn't come out with washing. He then instructed me to throw away anything with a chip.

LOL, I am so have been so clumsy through the years (I have very weak wrists) that I am in the market too now!

Just thought I would let everyone know. I would hate for anyone to get sick.

I have two sets of everyday dishes. I've had English Countryside for over 12 years and only had one plate chip. Sorry to hear that others have had problems with theirs and I'm pretty hard on dishes. After using white dishes for so long, I jumped over to Fiestaware around a year ago. I love the colorful look. I use turquoise, scarlet, tangerine, sunflower and shamrock. All my extra pieces (serving bowls, platters, etc.) are scarlet. Love the festive look.

I got this set at JC Penney last year (on Les's recommendaton) when it was on sale for an even lower price than it is now. It's been wonderful - mixes with everything, is lightweight (no, not as light as Corelle)stacks easily in my cupboards and dishwasher and is very strong. I have stone counters and when I'm rushing, I ding the edges of my dishes on the counter edges putting them in and out of the dishwasher - no chips, which absolutely amazes me. They have other porcelain patterns, also.

Here is a link that might be useful: Porcelain Dishes

I just looked at that one at Penney's and it is a really nice looking set for 12 with serving pieces to $79....that is a good price for that many settings. I think I would check it out of dlm2000's recommendation. If she's dinging it and no chips then something has to be said about that. The nice thing about white you can do so much with placemats, napkins, glasses and centerpieces for family or guests coming over. Personally I think stoneware is heavy and easily chips. Lot of luck on your hunt.

Dlm - that looks almost like the set I currently have 16 of that I use for large crowds. Maybe I need to get it out and start using it for everyday!! I am definitely thinking white this time - or an off-white.
I love Corelle, but have had three different sets over the last 35 years. I want something different - and I don't need to have 12 of everything as I do now. 8 would be fine.

If you want a really nice white bistro dinnerware set Wm & Sonoma have Apilco, made in France. Nice weight, 11 in. round so they fit into the DW fine. Great to mix with any color or style and placemat, modern or traditional. Got this idea from Ina Garten who has emphasized how attractive food looks on a white background and it does!

The dishes at Williams-Sonoma are my dream dishes. I love them but they are to expensive for me to use everyday, I would be on pins and needles with the kids. Right now I have some white plates from Pier 1. They are plain and basic which is what I wanted (then I could accessorize my table. I bought them on sale for $2 a plate. If one of the kids drops one, who cares. That being said, I have had them for 6 years now. Only 1 has broken and 1 more has a chip.

My MIL has had V&B for over 30 years now and they look great and the only broken was one dropped by Dh many moons ago (he never had to wash dishes again, smart kid). Sur La Table also carries their own set of white porcelain with many more completer pieces for a nicer price point than W&S. If someone gets it, please let me know how it works for you. I am in the market because I want plates that I can warm up in the oven too.

I second the WS Apilco dishes. I have some large dinner plates and pasta dishes and they are wonderful -- no chips and we have small children that are tough on dishes. It is pricey but WS has good sales twice a year -- I got them for $5 each.

Hey, I'm not embarassed to admit that I love my Corelle dishes. I got my first set (Shadow Iris) as a gift from my college boyfriend, and I have added to it over the years. Just last year, a friend gave me her plates because she was tired of them, LOL. I don't care for the cups so they rarely get used, but those plates are like a Timex watch - they take a lickin' but keep on tickin, LOL.

I like other plates to look at, but you just can't beat the Corelle for the durability and stackability. I have some lovely plain white china with a simple platinum band that looks very nice, but the Corelle suits our family perfectly. And it will probably last long enough to get sent off to college with dd, LOL.

Carrie

I'm still using the Corning Centura Dishes I got 33 years ago. I have never broken or chipped a plate, but I have broken some bowls. I don't think they make this kind anymore, probably because it was so good people weren't replacing. I also have Corelle for my deck dishes and they are also fairly unbreakable (though I have when I slammed one down one time).

Carrie and Marti - I do love Corelle - it is virtually indestructible! But I just need a change. Thanks to all for ideas. I shopped many places today and ended up with a white bone china set, plates, shallow bowls, dessert plate, smaller deep bowl, mug - plain white.
I saw some at Marshall's that I liked, but they were just a bit too contemporary. I loved how they had them displayed with a smaller Fall plate on top. They had a few fall mugs mixed into the display.
I looked at the Mikassa "countryside" patterns - just a bit too heavy for what I want.
I really think I am going to be happy with plain white. I can put so many different things with them. Thanks to all for so many great ideas.

I have the ARV dishes from Ikea. They work great, and have a simple, classic design. I have had them for 2 years and not a single chip. You can buy pre packaged sets or the individual dishes and serving pieces. I like to change out my dishes, so don't like to spend the money for expensive ones.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea Arv Dinnerware

Anyone know of everyday dishes with rabbits on them?

I use Corelle for 12 yrs. now (for everyday) a pretty pattern, and it still looks like new, very durable stuff this Corelle.

I am embarrassed to admit how many sets of dishes I have. Recently got the "I have to have it" itch and bought the Pottery Barn set of Great White. I LOVE these dishes...go wonderfully into the microwave (a real bonus) and wear well with our large family...and not too pricey. I used to work for Willams-Sonoma and Apilco is great, too. SO many great dishes out there...I need a twelve-step group to get off this addiction! Oh, well...I do have five children. maybe someone will appreciate them eventually!

I've been picking up pieces of the Portmeirion botanic garden at TJ Maxx. It's not plain but it's very durable and I get a lot of compliments on it. I always smile when I pull it out. My girls make me laugh when they fuss over who gets to use the "Royal Highness Rose" dinner plate.

Here is a link that might be useful: Portmeirion on Amazon

I just looked at dishes at a thrift shop recently and the patterns on the ones they had looked so dated. It made me want something timeless like plain white or off-white that can be dressed up differently for different holidays and occasions. I do wonder if I'd tire of them easily, though, and if I'll see lots of white or off-white dishes at the thrift shops in years to come.

I've been using Corelle dishes for the past several years, and although I don't know how it happens, many of the plates have small chips along the rim. Mine have also gotten rust spots along the edges from an old rusting dishwasher rack, so I'm on the hunt for some new nice everyday dishes. I do like the way they stack, have extra pieces like small desert bowls, and a plate in between the size of the dinner and salad plate. I also like that they fit well in a dishwasher and are small enough to fit a whole place setting (salad plates included) on my small dinette set. Some of the sets out there now have salad plates almost as large as my Corelle dinner plates. But I don't like serving guests on it either, so would like a nicer set of something.

Let us know what you finally settle on and how you like it.

I have dish addiction as well. I like having sets to use only for holidays or special occasions. I don't have enormous complete place settings (who ever really uses the cups and saucers?) so I have dinner plates and salad plates. Plain white isn't me, but I've got a nice set of Wedgewood Drabware and wish I had more.

If you don't want to deal with alot of weight, and want to have extremely great durability, this might be an option for you. There used to be a Mikasa outlet near me (gone now sobbing), but their line of Ultima + Super Strong Fine China might be up your alley. These dishes are very light and elegant, but still can be easily used for everyday. Mine are in a raised pattern, but they do have plainer ones. Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: My blog

Another Corelle lover here! I have 12 of everything in Winter Frost White.

I have 12 each of the dinner plates, salad plates, bread and butter plates, cereal bowls, berry bowls, rice bowls, flat soup bowls, deep soup bowls, pasta bowels, cute little oval sandwich/teaparty plates. I have several oval platters, one- and two-quart serving bowls. I love them all.

All these dishes fit in the space that use to be overflowing with a basic set of six Mikasa stoneware dishes...and I didn't have the selection of sizes and types of dishes.

I love the Corelle. It was my first choice back in 1975, and now I've come full-circle to the same style and pattern (or lack of!) again. I do have a few casseroles in Shadow Iris and some of the funky dark green colors.

I also have Pfaltzgraff "Filigree" and have been very happy with it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pfaltzgraff

I have had Mikasa's Maxima Yardley all white ribbed china for 14 yrs now with no chips, and it is freezer to oven to dishwasher safe. I had never broken any of it until last month when I sat the salt shaker down on my new granite countertops. It did break, but I had an extra one. I would highly recommend this line if it is still available. It looks as new as the day I got it. No black marks and scuffs and 14 yrs of dishwasher use.

Yesterday, I purchased two four place setting boxes of "fine bone china". We have a store here called Old Time Pottery - and it is filled with every imaginable dish, flower pot, silk flowers imaginable.
I spent part of today at TJ Maxx and picked up some "completer" pieces. I was excited!! Tonight I unpacked one of the boxes - and was getting ready to wash the pieces when I saw a teeny tiny little sign on the box --not dishwasher or microwave safe.
I then spent the next hour trying to get all of the pieces back in the box. Grrrrrrr.
I had seen some porcelain at Crate and Barrel, but when I saw these I thought these were even better as bone is above porcelain, right??
I checked the Crate and Barrel site and their bone china is microwave/dishwasher safe.
Back to the drawing board! But at least I know what I want and I think I may go back to Crate and Barrel. It is quite far out of my way and in a direction I rarely go, so yesterday was the first time I have ever been there. I needed to buy two wedding gifts.
It is one great store!! They had several choices there, but stupid me wanted to keep on looking!
Thanks for the rant!!! --- and thanks for all of your responses.
PS - Judith, your tablescapes are awesome. I could only dream of being able to do something so beautiful and elegant!

I have very simple and plain Crate + Barrel white porcelain dishes and I love them. They're a perfect weight, were a very reasonable price, and (one year in) have not chipped or scratched at all. I bought these to replace a pretty set of Pfaltzgraff stoneware that over time showed so many utensil marks that the centers of the plates were grey. The Pfaltzgraff, in turn, had been bought to replace another set from Pier 1, again in a pattern I loved, but that chipped way too much. So far, the C+B dishes win.

Thanks, Sheri. I was looking at the Aspen style while there -- but I was busily purchasing two wedding gifts so I wasn't giving my full attention to my dishes. I will need to go back. What a waste of time yesterday and today!

I have a set of white Mayfair & Jackson "Fine bone china". I bought it on overstock. It's $56.00 for service for 4.

It's a beautiful, very white, lightweight and I use it as my everyday dishes and pop it in the dishwasher with no problem. It's also nice enough to mix with my antique china when we have dinner parties. I am a complete clutz and have had the service for a year and use it everyday and no chips.

No Green Thumb - I think the thread was my post from last summer but it is not coming up in a search. I was in the market for a new set after using my Phalzgraf (sp) for 18 years. It held up very well but was showing cracks in the finish and marks from knives. I was researching the difference between stoneware, porcelain and bone china. I also wanted something durable yet not too heavy. I looked at Wedgewood, Mikasa, Crate & Barrel and many more. I ended up purchasing the Crate & Barrel bone china in a simple white pattern (Halo, I believe). I love it. It has not chipped at all (and I have granite counters), it goes from casual to formal use and it fits very nicely in the dishwasher. Many of the plates from some lines were so big and "curved" that it would be tough to fit them into the dishwasher next to each other.

One tip if you do Crate & Barrel. Register on-line for the items with an end date specified. About a week or two after the date they will send you a "Complete the registry" coupon for 10% off. I purchased a place setting to test at home and then registered for my birthday. I then bought the set after the coupon arrived. The salesperson was wonderful and even said I could add to the registry before using the coupon that day in case I saw something in the store.

Greenmtn --- are you talking like a bridal registry????

I know it sounds funny, doesn't it? A friend told me about it and the lady at C&B said to absoluteley get my list together and register. I was surprised when you register at all of the different choices they had under the box "event". There was one for birthday so that is what I selected (it was actually a birthday gift from DH). I bought service for 8 plus a few other plates and serving items so the 10% was a pleasant bonus.