Denby or not?

[GrimeldaUpNorth]

I'm thinking of changing my plates etc., I've got far too many plates and bowls of every sort. Now it is just me and DC I could get rid of everything and replace it with a small set, freeing up two cupboards in my kitchen.

I've been looking at Denby, which I never used to like (the sound of cutlery on the rustic stuff). Still not sure if I will like the sound, but I like some of the designs more than I used to.

Is there anything else out there that is likely to be around for years or other dishwasher, warming oven, microwave safe alternatives?

We’ve got Denby Reflex. They only made it for a few years so we can’t easily replace bits now (not that we’ve broken much).

I do still love it but it is very heavy and chunky - it doesn’t take much to fill up the dishwasher. And we hardly ever use the bowls at all because they are huge!

I really rate John Lewis

Heritage Fountain has been discontinued so I'd be mindful they might do the same to some of the others.

I think a coordinating mix is lovely though.

I have always loved my Denby, and it does last forever.

It will last forever. Mines 20 years old.
My mums is 40 years old! I’m a fan.

I'm happy with mine, have had it for 30 years (Greenwich) so lucky it's still current. The weight/noise don't bother me. Lesser mugs and bowls have come and gone in that time including Emma Bridgewater which is nothing like as robust.

Denby tend to keep the same shapes going and periodically change the colour schemes so it sounds a great idea to have a selection to start with.

Another Denby fan we have the green and white set which we bought on Ebay a few pieces at a time, it is heavy I made the mistake of putting it in a top cupboard and the cupboard started to bow but i have 12 of each piece so switched to a base cupboard, it is pretty bombproof but I don't have a dishwasher so hand washed , we have the rimmed dishes in two sizes

I have Sophie Conran for Porteirion which I love for its natural freeform look. Porteiron also do a beautiful Minerals range now which looks like terracotta with crystal glazes.

Denby is beautiful though. The Greenwich and Imperial Blue are such classics. Maybe just a little breakfast set 🤣

I’ve currently got this selection in my basket. I just need to have a think about buying a selection before I press go. Please let me know if you think it’s bonkers. I’m going for a walk, will check back. Thanks everyone.

I've bought a second hand vintage set that was made between 1971-1984 (Gypsy) and it's still going strong with three small and clumsy people in the house.

Denby will last forever - def worth it.

Ikea 365

Denby are hefty. Who wants a ton weight plate?

Tesco clubcard vouchers will get you half price Denny.

I like mine very much. The only thing I don't like is the cereal bowl design on mine, they don't stack in the dishwasher. Great as bowls though so I will forgive.

@GrimeldaUpNorth my stylish friend mixes and matches the heritage range. It looks lovely.

I've got a big collection of Denby. Mostly from the outlet centre.

I've had it since I got my first flat 22 years ago.

It's still going strong -there has been a bit of attrition over the years but not much. I don't use the rice bowls or side plates much and ditched tea cups a couple of house moves ago. Did keep the tea pot though.

But everything else (dinner plates, salad plates, cereal bowls) gets used on a daily basis as does the lasagna dish. Salad plates get used more as I can balance a biscuit and my drink on one to walk from the kitchen to living room so I only need one hand to carry two items. Slightly embarrassingly I've never owned a tray!

Yes, they are sturdy they don't break and survive my clumsiness as well as DH and DC's etc so a good investment. I plan to buy some for my DC's whenever they have their first 🏡 which u know, considering they are teens, is about 10years -could be another 30 years with the cost of living!!!--
Try the seconds on the Denby website they really are fine.

Thank you that’s encouraging 😂. I do have some silly ideas sometimes. I’m going to go for it!

All our plates and bowls are Denby and they look as good now as when we got them (4 years of daily use). We have the Greenwich pattern and no colour fade or scratches from cutlery. We put them in the dishwasher daily. We’ve dropped them a few times (short drops from cupboard to counter etc) and they’ve not smashed, cracked or chipped either.

The only Denby we've had that was disappointing was a set of patterned side plates in their Monsoon collaboration. The pattern has worn off quite a bit on those, although again we've been using them daily for about five years and putting them in the dishwasher.

@GrimeldaUpNorth your basket.. not sure if you're aware but the extra large plates are big heavy ones that are more serving plates than dinner plates. Likewise the bowls.. serving size.

Sorry if you're aware and this is what you'd like.

Or at least they were in Heritage Fountain.. worth checking

We have Greenwich... got it for our wedding 25 years ago. Have used it pretty much every single day.

It is showing some signs of wear now, knife marks on the white and a couple of pieces chipped on the green edge. Have broken 2 rimmed bowls, one side plate and 2 big mugs recently, so I'm guessing it is coming to the end of its life now.

I have had Denby seconds for years. Ours came from the factory shop and was heavily discounted. It's bombproof and I love the colour and finish. It IS squeaky, but I can live with that. I use ours as kitchen crockery, as it is quite rustic/clunky, so I have a less hefty set of china for more formal use.

Thank you all, I’ve ordered it. @Fozzleyplum , I’ve got a few different sets. We use the same pasta plates for almost everything, dinner, sandwiches, virtually everything. That means there’s about 50 plates that are never used. I’m going to give everything to a local hostel for young adults and just have one set I use every day, whatever the occasion.

I have Denby Imperial blue now.

I bought another Denby set in the 1990s and in the last few years I've had a couple with chips (I blame heavy handed dh), but couldn't replace as they no longer do that collection, which is a shame as the rest of the set was still like brand new.

If you do decide to invest, it is a huge investment, I would go for one of their classic designs as you will be more likely to be able to extend your set/replace pieces in the future.