Well I know it's taboo but we put our silver in the dishwasher -- we have a few different sets of sterling flatware and they're our everyday flatware (the heaviest set in particular). I'd say once or twice a year I polish them, but it's an activity I enjoy.

For dishes I've no tips -- we use glass for our everyday and then the sundry "special" I handwash -- again, an activity I enjoy. (can you sense a trend? it's my daydreaming time)

A friend of mine who has an all-white suite of serving pieces and place settings got hers from Crate & Barrel, and I have to say I LOVE them! If I were into white dishes they would be number one choice.

Have a wonderful time shopping!

I don't put our silver in the dishwasher, but I do occasionally put our Ercuis hotel silverplate in it. I do not let it come into contact with stainless. My thinking is that hotels must put theirs into dishwashers, so why can't I? Nevertheless, that set ends up needing polishing more than the stuff I do by hand. So, I don't know, maybe look into holtel silverplate for every day.
As for serving pieces, do you want them to coordinate with the Medusa, or can they be any kind of white or cream, regardless of style? Lenox has a couple of patterns that come trimmed in either gold or platinum that can actually be used in the microwave because of a special process of theirs, e.g. Continental Gold. They have many patterns that have metal trim that can go in the dishwasher. Just be sure to get those and not the older ones, which will not retain their metal after much dishwasher use. Wedgwood is famous for their whites. I still don't think the French and Italian patterns are great for the dishwasher. I'm not up on current Rosenthal, but from a stylistic standpoint, they'd be sure to have patterns that could be used with Medusa.

I should have looked at the Medusa before I asked this...DH said the plates were all pattern on the surface, but it appears that some of them are white in the center (which is what we want). But, they would flow well with the new Lenox, which would be nice because I'd like to be able to DW the majority of the items (and use medusa as the charger to save handwashing). I didn't know aboutthe piecess with metal that could be DW'ed from Lenox...I love that idea! I was thinking Id have to go all white (no trim) to be able to DW any china :)

I guess I should be more specific..the "silverware" does not have to be actual silver (which I wouldn't DW) but just nice looking, high quality metal materials (what the heck do you call regular pieces...) or plate would be good...I love the idea of the hotel silverplate. I refuse to wash all of our forks and spoons by hand! (unless rm wants to move in and wash all of my dishes for me...we do have a lovely view to daydream in front of LOL)

I bet I would love your view! I think AK is such a beautiful state .... As a tree-hugging ultra-liberal vegetarian I don't think I'd fit in there for anything other than holiday, though. Ha ha!

Did I tell you the story about Lake Tahoe (CA / NV)? When we were living in San Francisco (CA), people kept talking about how sublime Lake Tahoe is; I'd never been there, so a few months before we moved from CA to CO we went up to Lake Tahoe. I'm going to sound churlish but let's put it this way: it's no Alaska! We explored like mad (I was thirty-seven weeks pregnant but our then one year-old, naturally, only wanted ME to carry him in the backpack. On the bright side, I was balanced and what great late-in-pregnancy exercise!) and while it is without a doubt quite pretty, I quickly understood that all of those who'd been touting it had never been to Alaska. You are so lucky!

But my daydreams are now confined to the Flatirons (Rocky Mountains)!

Okay, so I'm not up on flatware (we inherited / received as gifts all our silver -- from my side, traditional western flatware, from my husband's, silver hashi / chopsticks and soup spoons -- culturally predictable!) but I do know that Williams-Sonoma has wonderful, heavy flatware, inc. hotel silver and pewter. And it is incredibly reasonably priced. (in my opinion)

I remember as a girl watching a PBS cooking show with Nathalie Dupree and she had a big mucky-muck from Tiffany and Co. on who said it was okay to use a dishwasher to wash sterling. This was when that upper, third tray (just for silverware) was brand new in dishwashers. In our penultimate house (the one in San Francisco in which we lived for five years) we just had a regular Bosch without that upper tray, and our silver sat in the baskets and seemed to do just fine. Now that we have a dishwasher with the upper, third tray just for flatware, I'll put some of the pieces up there, some still gets thrown in the baskets.

Obviously it should only be with what you are comfortable, but I'll tell you -- I'm pretty darn comfy putting them in the dishwasher! While I don't mind handwashing, I mean I don't mind handwashing occasionally. That was probably my bete noir during the kitchen remodel: no dishwasher. Esp. washing all those pieces of sippy cups ... aargh! But when I wash the Kiddish cups Friday night I like it; when I wash our "special" dishes after whatever celebration (dinner party, somebody's birthday, holiday, a just because meal), I enjoy it. A lot.

I really am so excited for you how close you are getting to your completed kitchen. What a dream!

No, your flatware doesn't have to be silver or silverplate. Most eating utensils these days are not -- the majority are stainless steel in varying degrees of weight and quality. I would look for a mid to heavy weight 18/8 or 18/10 stainless. The 18/8 and 18/10 refer to the metal mix in the stainless (I think the 8 or 10 is the percentage of nickel), and those are both good quality stainless.

I bought a set of 18/8 about a year out of college and used it while single and for 16 years after marrying and having kids. It always went in the DW and still looks fine (I still have it in a cabinet over my pantry -- haven't decided whether to hang onto it for HUGE gatherings, give it to my son when he heads off to college and beyond in a few years or to donate it somewhere).

I bought a new set after the kitchen was done -- in part because I just wanted a new pattern and in part because I wanted a larger set as the family grows and I have more and larger gatherings here. Both the one I bought just out of school and the one I got last year are made by Gorham. I like their quality and patterns, but their are several good names that have been around for ages. I believe the new one is 18/10 and it is heavyweight with larger size pieces. I started off with 16 place settings and have added some to it because we often have 16-20 when the family is here. It is really nice to have a full set for those occassions and not be obliged to pull out the silver, especially for casual dinners, lots of kiddos, etc.

Igloochic, I have Gorham Shell 18/8 stainless for every day use. We have thrown it in the dishwasher everyday for the last 6 years with no problems.
{{!gwi}}

For everyday now, I'm using Johnson Bros. Acanthus pattern. While it is patterned, it is a very subdued cream and gray pattern.
{{!gwi}}

For years, I have lusted after the Horchow hotel set by Towle. One of these days......

{{!gwi}}

Can't speak for the China but I second Williams-sanoma for wonderful silverware that can stand up to daily DW use and come out looking great. Pottery Barn also has fab stuff.

Can't wait to see your kitchen - any teasers?

I put my Oneida Paul Revere stainless in the DW all the time, and have for about 30 years, and it still looks good. I think I've used my silver may half a dozen times in the last 30 years, so I don't remember how I wash it!

Whatever you get, get lots of it. I discovered that with my redesign, I needed another drawer, in the peninsula, near the cooktop, with my stainless in it so I could grab it while I was cooking. That's my main prep/cooking area and it saves steps across the kitchen every time I needed a spoon or knife, etc. I have a drawer by the dishwasher that I use when I set the table, but the second drawer is so handy.

Our everyday dishes are by Denby. They have held up very well... in fact after 8 years of marriage and two kids, with granite countertops, not one chip. They can go fridge, to stove, to table, to dishwasher - no issues.

they have a couple of patterns in White.

Here is a link that might be useful: Denby

We have Wedgewood Nantucket Basket for our dishes. It is hard to tell from the web, but it has a basket type of pattern on the plates/cups. It is not extremely formal, but easy enough to dress up or down. Also, they have a lot of different accent pieces like Christmas Plates, etc.

http://bloomingdales.weddingchannel.com/registry/catalog/Nantucket+Basket+5+Piece+Place/ID/898/PID/9335

For flatware, I use Gorham's Studio (I think it is the studio). It is really nice looking - so much so that my cousin and my mom have also gotten it. Here is a link to what I think we have:

http://www.silversuperstore.com/gorham/stainless_steel_flatware/studio_silverware.html

didn't read through the whole thread so don't know if it's been mentioned, but you CAN put your silver in the dishwasher, but NEVER with stainless or other metals. i've done it a couple of times but always just polish now since you never get a nice luster and shine on it. for me there's no sense having beautiful sterling flatware if it doesn't shine.

ya'll are a top basket full of knowledge :) Ok so I now need to feel good about doing silver in the dishwasher, and go shopping :) and post some teasers. The backsplash is partly in....I'll have to start there :)

I strongly disagree about putting sterling in the dishwasher. From the Society of American Silversmiths (their punctuation and capitalizations):

KEEP SILVER OUT OF THE DISHWASHER! It's that simple. There are four major reasons for keeping your prized sterling and silverplate out of the "chamber of doom:" (1) Any factory-applied oxidation (the black patina in recessed areas) will eventually be removed. (2) The harsh detergent, combined with the washer's high cleaning temperature, is much too abrasive for silverÂit will eventually turn it grey or white, with a dull, non-reflective surface. (3) Most older and some repaired hollow-handled knives are filled with pitch. This low-melting cement will expand with heat, possibly forcing open a thin solder seam, or exploding the knife blade out of the handle. (4) Silver that touches stainless in the dishwasher can create a chemical reaction, producing black spots on the stainless and possibly requiring the silver to be professionally refinished.

Sterling, like a fine automobile, must be handled with tender loving care. You certainly wouldn't drive your Rolls Royce through a car wash, would you?

Here is a link that might be useful: Society of American Silversmiths

I have a set of Reed & Barton stainless flatware that is holding up very well after years of daily use and time in the dishwasher. R&B is located quite near to where I live and they have wonderful tent sales once a year where you can pick sets up for practically nothing. As for everyday china, Villeroy & Boch is very nice and holds up well.

For my everyday dishes I use the white Mayfair & Jackson bone china which I bought on overstock. I needed an everyday type of white china that would work with my antique Limoges china and could fill in for formal dinner parties when needed but still go in the dishwasher. It's very inexpensive. I've used it everyday since Christmas and only one tiny chip (and I'm a clutz). It's a beautiful white and really showcases the food when plated. It makes even informal meals feel special.

{{!gwi}}

Kirk Stieff Thomas Jefferson stainless ... love ours, 15 years and it still looks great.

I'm also a white china lover, both Apilco porcelain (every day) and Wedgwood White (not quite every day). Have fun!

Put me also in the white china club. After searching for a while, I settled on the Onde pattern linked below by Medard deMoblat. Its limoges, but not too expensive. And while it is white, it has a little texture to it (which I thought was sort of interesting, while still letting the food be the star). So far, it's worn great, goes in the dishwasher, and has some really interesting serving pieces. The only downside was that it took 3 months to arrive from France, and I missed having it for last Thanksgiving.

Check out the "Corail" pattern by Medard too. It's pricey, but I loved how it mimicked coral and other sea patterns. The anemone shaped teapot is amazing! Maybe when I get my beach cottage on Saint John someday.... For my formal dishes, my fantasy would be the Poc A Poc brand.

Here is a link that might be useful: Medard deNoblat white dishes

I have Wedgwood white bone china and find it very durable.
It mixes well with everything else I have. For example, this weekend at Tuesday Morning, I purchased some cups and saucers in a Lynn Chase Wildlife pattern. They look great with the white plates. Villeroy and Boch also has a pretty one called Amut or something like that. And the white Apilco is lovely.
I would not want to get a case of restaurant china. I find the plates can be very heavy. I have some Portmerion, and as years go by I use it less and less because I hate lifting it.

My mom gave me some old sterling she had that was my grandmothers. My mom didn't like it and didn't care about keeping it nice, so she did wash it in the DW. It is grey/white and hazy like described above. I wouldn't put sterling or silver plate in the DW.

Her stainless is Reed and Barton and it has been great for many years. Reed & Barton, Gorham, Towle, Wallace (makes Williams Sonomas), Kirk and Steiff are all good brands.

When we married, I received a set of heavy stainless, made by Wallace, and made in Japan with a butler finish. It has been in use 26 years, dishwasher use, and is perfect. Unfortunately, the pattern was discontinued right after we got it. Last year, I saw the pattern again, same name, same manufacturer, and was elated to order more. When it arrived, it was terrible. Now made in China, shiny finish, about 1/2 the weight of the original, and rusts in the DW. So, a cautionary note. Some of the stainless out there isn't. And some that once was no longer is.
Also, I liked the stainless at Williams-Sonoma called St. Jacques. However, they recommend hand washing. If I'm going to do that, I'll use my silver.

Igloo I remember the medusa plates, a little unsettling but great colors! Very sophisticated.
I love the Wedgewood Nantucket basket china! I saw it after I bought a set of Carol Little plates that also have a basketweave design on the rim. I mix patterns as well. I dont like to use all of the same thing all of the time! I like to pick up random plates that will work well with my set. I have several sets of limoges dessert plates that work with my white china. I also like to mix and match salad plates- picking up random small sets at antique shops and thrift shops! It's becoming a sickness!! LOL

For formal gatherings, I use my DH's grandmothers white and gold Limoges bone china it was originally a set for 32 and so we have half- BIL has the other half. That of course is handwash.

For family formal gatherings, I use my Moms white bluegrey and silver edged china that she always put in DW so I tend to lean towards being lazy!!

For everyday we have an Oneida heavy set of stainless that is wearing well. We use my DH's mothers silverplate for special. My step mom ended up with my Mom's Stieff rose silver. grrrr.

I'm lazy so I use stainless (Christofle). If you're looking for nice white everyday china, you might want to check out Crate and Barrel White Pearl -- it is bone china but priced well and goes in the dishwasher. It is made by Nikko. We got some last fall and really love it and since it is sold open stock will probably add more pieces. It is really as nice as my Coalport Countryware, and more durable. We use it everyday.

I'm another vote for Wedgwood White Dishes. I inherited the basic 5 piece place settings and then I added numerous serving dishes. They've been doing just fine, dishwasher and all, and it's been about 13 years.

Igloochic-

I have 2 stainless recommendations:

I have a set of Iced Tea spoons that I LOVE from Southern Living At Home that are fantastic- look great and hold up even better. Nice heavy weight, and really give the look of sterling, but they are not too fancy. (You can pick them up on Ebay for a good deal too). I just bought another set of 4 becuase I used one to strip paint off the inside of the flutes of my bay window casing....but that is another story.

The stainless that I got from my bridal registry was from Crate and Barrel- the set itself is no longer available, but the manufacterer is Cutipol from Portugal. Nice substantial weight and looks great after 6+ years.

I had no idea you could put sterling in the DW. I should have known, given that I do always drive my Rolls Royce through the car wash...

;-)

I have a mismatched pile of sterling I was collecting years ago from flea markets. But I never use it b/c it is tarnished. I guess I would need to first polish the tarnish off, then start the "use it and put it in the dw cycle."

Hey rm: if you are using the sterling everyday, how do you keep it from tarnishing? Or does daily dw-ing keep the tarnish off?

francy

For everyday white china, might want to check out Emile Henry's white dishware. It would go nicely with your French stove. It is very durable and I love their bakeware. It wears like iron, is durable and cleans up like an absolute dream! It is one of my favs!

I use this wonderful flatware from Sheffield, England:

{{!gwi}}

It has an impressive weight and a lovely mirror finish. The manufacturer okays the dishwasher but advises against letting the silver and stainless touch in the cutlery/flatware basket.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hotel Silver Flatware with Monogram

Thank you all so much for the ideas to research :) Saved me many bucks I will bet, since we keep buying stuff that isn't holding up (even expensive stuff can be cheap on the finish...you just can't judge). Anyhoo, again, thanks.

Our day to day ware is actually Shenango Tan Restaurant ware. I collect it off of ebay and have many different pieces. It's heavy as sin, but fun as well as sturdy. We have many different restaurant sayings, pics, etc. It's fun stuff. I also have some lovely dishes I purchased in Texas at some fancy store, but while they look and feel substantial and gorgeous, they chip easily (ok they would do better if DH wouldn't stack bowls and plates in the same pile, but that's another story).

I know Medusa is a bit different Sue :oP That's why I want it LOL

LOL Of course! mundane is not for our Igloochicken! Please show us the table set with the Medusa "snakes on a plane" china heh heh. When I imagine the table set with them I imagine an embassy state dinner- like in the picture shows!