China Display?

[Aggie_Ama]

Creepy dolls? Yuck! I think NOT!

Actually they are very beautiful Lenox collectors pieces. The kind that are all porcelain, intricately painted and either a ball gown from an era or I also have several legendary princess. Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White. Not all Disney-fied more classic. I think they are gorgeous, DH deemed them creepy. LOL.

I think everyone is right we should use the china. The pattern is elegant, simple and so me- why fight it? Nanny used it only a handful of times, always seemed like such a waste. We have a Valentines tradition of getting a pizza, definitely china worthy. Maybe once a week I should suggest using the china and sitting at the formal table. Might make dinner interesting for a change.

And on Fiesta- I thought it was a multi colored delight?

[Trekhawk]

The girls are right use it. I have some china from my grandmother and some beautiful Waterford crystal wine glasses and we use them all the time. I figure I might as well get the enjoyment out of them rather than "saving them for good". I hand wash all of the good stuff but hey since we moved I don't have a dishwasher anyway so it is hand wash for everything for now.

[PamNY]

China with sentimental value is not for everyday use and the borders are not designed to hold up well to constant dishwashing.

Yes and no on the daily use. I have my mother's china, and I am leery of using it -- but I have no heirs; there is no one who will want it for sentimental reasons. So...why shouldn't I use it? I have the impulse to save it, but who am I saving it for?

It doesn't have borders (thank goodness) and I do love it.

Pam

[Aggie_Ama]

I have to say if this were a pattern out of production I would feel a bit weird but since it was in the Dillard's ad recently I am okay if my trembling hands break a piece.

Trek- I would love some Waterford glasses. I became quite enamored (sp?) with Waterford when I spent a Christmas selling crystal and china in high school. I don't really drink wine or champagne but the stuff is just lovely. I could drink grape juice from it like we used to do at Nanny's as kids.

[Mr. Bloom]

I have to say if this were a pattern out of production I would feel a bit weird but since it was in the Dillard's ad recently I am okay if my trembling hands break a piece.

Even less expensive at the Lenox outlets (How would I know????)

[SouthernBelle]

Almost any piece of china is replaceable thru ebay these days.

[Aggie_Ama]

Even less expensive at the Lenox outlets (How would I know????)

Yup we have one of those a short road trip away. And of course Lenox has it on their site.

Almost any piece of china is replaceable thru ebay these days.

I am never patient enough for Ebay. Which reminds me, I should see if I can get my brother a Franklin Mint car he had growing up at my Nanny's that somehow disappeared after our Pawpaw died. Great, I hate shopping on Ebay.

[Trekhawk]

Almost any piece of china is replaceable thru ebay these days.

Yep and plenty of companies online like these two below that you can use to track down hard to find pieces. I got some pieces that were missing from my Grandmothers set and they arrived safe and sound all the way from Texas.
http://www.replacements.com
www.edish.com

[wildhawk]

How wonderful that you got that china and cabinet! I would use it too - DH and I do not have heirs either, but we have his grandmother’s 45 piece vintage china and my grandmother’s cut glass pieces and since our stuff is an eclectic mix anyway, we do not necessarily care if the pieces all match or not. I use vintage kitchen utensils and mixing bowls too. I can’t see just breaking them out for special occasions or guests - since we don’t get very many guests anyway. I use them whenever I cook a nice meal and we have plenty of time to “dine” and not just ”eat”. Seems the meal tastes so much better when the table is set and we are not in a hurry like we are during the work week. I have a vintage oak china cabinet that my Mom kept her doll collection in - it now holds all of our precious things - collectibles, antiques, and our wedding things. Ours has the plate grooves in the rear of the shelves, but I have antique 78 records upright in those. The china is in my kitchen cabinets - go figure!!! One of these days I will have to put the china in the china cabinet like it was intended! Enjoy those memories and post pics of your dolls and china - I would like to see them!

[Mistie]

I have my great-grandma's china and china cabinet. My Mom (God love her, she knows these things) got me some plate stands and made a lovely display for me. I am certainly not an interior decorator. Anyway, they are up. I do use my wedding china nearly every day though. Sometimes, my 2 year old gets to use something. It's nice to always have a nice dinner with my DH because the china makes it elegant.

[Mr. Bloom]

Here's our Display:



Our Wedding China (same pattern as yours Aggie)
Combination of our and my mom's crystal
Our Waterford Ornament Collection

[Aggie_Ama]

Do you store serving ware under the display area? I need to take a picture but I have a very similar style of cabinet. Right now I have everything up in top, I guess that is what goes in the buffet that currently has linens and nothing else? But I like the little tea cups, they are so cute.

I think I am just going to have to buy some plate stands and try to display. Of course my over active imagination hears it crashing when I turn my back. What's a woman to do? LOL.

[Mr. Bloom]

Yes, serving pieces and mom's china is below. We don't use stands, the plates are propped against the back "in the groove" that's in the shelves. This gives us room for the collectibles.

[SouthernBelle]

Hey, where's the coffee cups?

[Zen]

oven mitts