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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not use new collection

54 replies

OonaLoona2 · 10/01/2017 10:34

I was given a beautiful personalised Emma Bridgewater mug for Christmas and have Just ordered myself a few more items and plan to build up a lovely collection.
I told dh about this and said I would display the items only, not actually use them. He thinks it's a crazy waste of money to do this and that everything should be used. I think between him and 3dc my beautiful new pottery would soon become mosaic.
AIBU to display only?

OP posts:
User1234567891011 · 10/01/2017 10:48

My parents always had collections of china and things, I still to this day think its ridiculous.

Sorry OP, I think they'll just gather dust and take up space. Might as well enjoy them for what they're meant for.

gleam · 10/01/2017 10:51

YANBU. If you can afford it and have the space to display it - why not? I'm sure you can think of something that your dh 'wastes' money on.

Why not buy an extra copy of the mug so you can have the pleasure of using it every day?

harderandharder2breathe · 10/01/2017 10:59

It's quite old fashioned to collect china. I think it's odd but if you can afford it then it's not really so different from any other collection

Original poster
OonaLoona2 · 10/01/2017 11:03

You see, I use the mug but have ordered a lovely tea pot and a few other bits that I'm planning to not use because they are quite expensive. I have a dresser in the kitchen that is new and currently pretty empty so can display them there.
I can think of plenty of things he wastes money on season ticket costing hundreds that he made use of twice last year
I don't really like cluttter so actually might hate have a collection of anything! Might just keep it a very small collection...

OP posts:
Coffeethrowtrampbitch · 10/01/2017 11:04

Yanbu. DC's and dh have smashed everything I have ever valued. I wish I had put everything I loved away and then I would still have it.

I still remember the smashing noise when DS knocked my limited edition Cylon model off the bookcase 😥

canyou · 10/01/2017 11:05

My DSis gave me a beautiful tea set with matching cups saucers plates etc. Too nice/impractical for everyday use it is in the attic with my Great Grandmothers tea set. I have a modern tiny overpriced house with no storage never mind space to display stuff

SuburbanRhonda · 10/01/2017 11:08

I don't have any kitchenware in the house that isn't used but if you do, surely it's for special and valuable pieces? Emma Bridgewater is everyday stuff, isn't it?

Original poster
OonaLoona2 · 10/01/2017 11:11

My everyday teapot cost £14 from steamer trading, not sure I class one that cost almost £90 as everyday but I guess it's all relative isn't it. Similarly the mugs we use everyday probably cost about a fiver each not £20+ .

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 10/01/2017 11:15

I used everyday to mean mass produced, not what each item costs.

HardofCleaning · 10/01/2017 11:16

Well I wouldn't do it personally but there's nothing wrong with it per se and I certainly wouldn't use expensive stuff for everyday with kids. It does mean that if you buy more it's definitely an extravagant personal purchase for you rather than a family investment though.

LooksBetterWithAFilter · 10/01/2017 11:20

I too thought Emma Bridgewater was overpriced every day stuff. But you being bo nu and u in almost equal measure. I think it's daft to buy all this stuff and never use it but if it's a lot of money to you then there's nothing wrong with not using it every day. I have some lovely cups and plates that I bought to keep nice and not stick in the cupboard for every day use but I do use them. Sometimes in the evening dh and I will take it out with my nice teapot and use it or if the in laws are here. I just think life is too short to keep stuff gathering dust and it's a hell of a lot of money to spend on something you'll never use. But I can understand not wanting it to end up chipped and broken by careless every day use.

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 10/01/2017 11:22

i have two sets of dinnerware, one everyday use, let the dc use it and I don't mind the odd breakage (denby everyday sets in teal blue) and then I have my random collection of emma bridgewater sets. I buy a place setting at a time, so cup, bowl, side plate and dinner plate in the same design, currently have 4 place settings but rarely use them as they aren't hugely expensive, no, but they are much nicer than the everyday stuff.
Also at the moment don't actually have enough place settings for everybody to use.

I want to replace all my mugs with EB ones as well, as I really like the shape. However having a standoff with DH as he thinks he should replace them all with cornishware mugs but all blue stripes and the everyday dinner set with cornishware.

I can see the appeal in buying the nice larger items and displaying them. I would buy things that will get used though, such as serving ware, fruit bowls etc. (too scared to use the bakeware in case it gets those awful baked on marks that never come off no matter how much you soak or scrape them)

SuburbanRhonda · 10/01/2017 12:57

My DM has a glass shelf in her living room where she displays pieces she's been given over the years. This Christmas I gave her a porcelain bud vase made by a friend who's a potter.
I get this - all her pieces are unique. I just can't get my head round displaying kitchenware made in a factory, no matter how much it costs.

Glitterywillows · 10/01/2017 13:09

I love Emma Bridgewater I have 2 collections 2 dressers of display only pieces and a using collection. if you love your pieces I would display them as once some pieces become discontinued it is very hard to replace them. I started collecting 5 years ago with the intention of using it all, but many of my pieces are rare and I don't want to risk it.

I think it is nice to have a good balance. I never collect anything but I'm a bit of a Bridgewater addict now. they do many lovely pieces.

have you seen the new collection op? it's amazing. there are also Facebook groups dedicated to collectors. with all different people of different ages. I'm 32 I didn't think I would ever collect pottery but it happened without me knowing! lol.
happy collecting! sorry if I'm rambling.

Glitterywillows · 10/01/2017 13:09

I love Emma Bridgewater I have 2 collections 2 dressers of display only pieces and a using collection. if you love your pieces I would display them as once some pieces become discontinued it is very hard to replace them. I started collecting 5 years ago with the intention of using it all, but many of my pieces are rare and I don't want to risk it.

I think it is nice to have a good balance. I never collect anything but I'm a bit of a Bridgewater addict now. they do many lovely pieces.

have you seen the new collection op? it's amazing. there are also Facebook groups dedicated to collectors. with all different people of different ages. I'm 32 I didn't think I would ever collect pottery but it happened without me knowing! lol.
happy collecting! sorry if I'm rambling.

previously1474907171 · 10/01/2017 13:11

If you have something you will enjoy looking at then keep it safe but do look at it and don't let anyone touch it

I stopped using things I enjoyed because I got married and my breakables were being smashed too often, ones that I couldn't replace.

I have a discontinued dinner service which I collected gradually and used to use a lot. It is packed in boxes because replacements are rare and very expensive, and when I get around to unpacking it I will be selling it because we only use the restaurant quality/cheap stuff now.

If I find something I really like I buy extras just in case, although it is never the same as that first one. I am really fed up with not being able to use my things but more fed up with finding bits chipped off the rim of my favourite mug or having something dropped on them. He even managed to smash a lump off my kitchen tray.

redexpat · 10/01/2017 13:13

My EB stuff is on display. My teapot, milkjug and sugar bowl. We only use them when we have visitors. If it sparks joy then there should be space for it in your home. Kondo says so!

ItsTimeForDuggee · 10/01/2017 13:22

YANBU I collect tableware and I don't use it and it sits nicely on my mantle piece. Partly because I'm abit of a cluts and frequently drop stuff Hmm The one time I did use one of the cups I broke it Angry

EssentialHummus · 10/01/2017 13:23

I can't see the appeal, but if you can, and you can afford it, go for it.

MargaretCavendish · 10/01/2017 13:24

Another vote for 'bit weird to absolutely never use it (but up to you), not even slightly weird to have some things that you use only for special occasions'. We have 'nice' mugs that I only use for visitors or sometimes if we make a proper brunch on a Sunday. It makes it all feel more of a treat.

Oh, also, the posters sniffing that Bridgewater isn't at all special/display worthy are twats who, whatever they imagine, are impressing no one.

ExConstance · 10/01/2017 13:26

We had our kitchen refitted last year and I took the opportunity to get rid of every last piece of crockery I had - including two full dinner services, half my grandmother's stuff and numerous odd bits of everyday cheap white stuff. I've replaced the whole lot with Keith Brymer Jones "word "things and feel so happy I have stuff I like and no clutter. If I break anything I'll just replace it. I wouldn't go back to having things I don't use.

MorrisZapp · 10/01/2017 13:27

Oh good christ save us from the snobs 'its not meant for collecting, it isn't special enough', how rude!

I dream of collecting china but I don't room. If I did, I would. And there would be plates on there from charity shops, primark and the Poundshop for no other reason than that they are special and beautiful to me.

Bobtheblob · 10/01/2017 13:27

There is a huge EB collecting community on Instagram if you're on there. I think somewhere between the two extremes is a good compromise - display it and admire it and only use on special occasions or when the kids are in bed!

MorrisZapp · 10/01/2017 13:30

No doubt it's the same twats who turn up on Boden threads to inform us that it can't be aspirational because it isn't expensive.

Give me a break.

Oldraver · 10/01/2017 13:45

If your DH thinks keeping a few nice things is a crazy waste of money, then all things bought and not needed is a crazy waste of money. Most of the things we buy....clothes, jewelry etc are bought because they are nice and we want them...Bring up the season ticket Grin