Denby or Spode?

[ThatEagerScroller]

Posting here for the vote. I got some birthday money. We need new crockery. Should I get:

the plain white Denby (about £100 for a 12 piece set)
OR
the Spode Morris & Co (about £180 for a 12 piece set)

The birthday money is unexpected. We don't need it for any bills etc, but we would noticing having to splash out another £180 if, say, so much of the Spode stuff got broken that we had to replace it. I know Denby is closing so won't be replaceable.

It's prob relevant that I have a 3 year old and two older kids, and a tiled kitchen floor. Breakages will happen. But I love William Morris & always have. But we're not fancy people. Denby is already fancy. My favourite coffee mug was £2 from Asda. Will I be anxious every time I get the Spode stuff out (which would be every day - don't want to keep stuff "for good")? Will my family and friends pick up on it, and ask to use my kids' plastic plates instead?

YABU: Get the practical beautiful Denby
YANBU: Get the beautiful beautiful Spode

I have a Spode set that I use every day - like you, I hate the idea of keeping something so beautiful just for rare occasions. It's sturdy and I wash it at the top of the dishwasher on a 2-hour, 50 degree setting - the gold leaf trim is unaffected.

Spode is a joy.

I hope whatever you choose makes you really happy.

This is not how to treat Spode.
Or any object.
There is no excuse for rough handling as a norm.

Denby closing after so many decades is a bit of a tragedy.

It's so boring pointing out all the things this govt and previous govts have done - stupidly - to fail to support jobs and businesses in this country.

But it's all absolutely true. I do think this current Labour lot take the biscuit though.

Starmer, Burnham, the self proclaimed "economist" Reeves. What earthly reason would there be to start a business in the UK right now if you had the choice to start it somewhere else.

These guys are so short-sighted.

Spode. And add to it when you come across it in charity shops/car boots.

Clear your kitchen cupboards of the other stuff so they gave a nice place to reside and buy some plastic cutlery for the tub thumpers in your family.

For Spode lovers, there is a small but very good museum on the old Spode site in Stoke on Trent. There is a shop attached which sells old Spode china, amongst other things. The stock varies but the staff will happily check for you what is available. Well worthh a visit if you are within easy distance of Stoke.

OK. Thank you all. I'm still undecided, and if I don't hurry up the decision will be made for me by the Denby selling out.

Seems mostly its for Spode, despite a definite win for Denby on the durability front.

But in all seriousness, I can't deal with being kid gloves about my plates when I'm serving dinner for 10 people, which is weekly. Or clearing up after breakfast on a weekday morning.

And I can't - @OtterLovesItsRock - I don't know if you were joking - but I cannot be doing with the idea that Spode - or household objects generally - deserve delicate treatment. I'm not curating a museum. I have a busy home with three young kids, and friends, family, neighbours in for meals all the time, and none of these people are fancy crockery owners. I can't become a 'mind the Spode', even if the Spode deserves it.

There are a very few things I own that are priceless and irreplaceable. Everything else is there for function, whether it's beautiful or not.

@KWaldron this is great to hear. Would you say they can withstand the odd clatter against each other?

But the William Morris and enjoy it. It’s lovely.

Buy! Not but

Morris & co. No contest. I also like, and have, a drop of Port Meirion

I’m from Stoke so I should say Spode but we have Denby. We’ve had it for about 8 years now and it goes in the dishwasher fine. It’s a classic design that won’t date.

however we have made emergency visits to both John Lewis and a factory outlet shop to buy as many spares of the items we use a lot as possible.

when we bought it we’d been looking at it for years and went for a pattern I was really drawn to. It sounds like your heart is with the Spode. It’s not to my taste but go with what you love.

It's all over everyone! The Denby has sold out. Unless I can find it elsewhere, that might be the decision made. Though someone else said the Morris & Co pattern might look dated in a few years, which I need to consider.

William Morris has been beautiful for over 100 years. It’s not going to date.

I have Denby as it’s easily replaceable and having a large family we can buy enough to go round.

I am so with you on this! But I've never been in the position of choosing a whole set of crockery before (and nor has my mum or my sister or brother or... etc etc. It's all been charity shops or Wilkos. This first generation crockery-choosing going on here!) So I'm second guessing myself constantly. I love William Morris. But is it right for crockery? But does it matter, because it makes my heart sing? But...blah blah blah.

But you're so right. I love it. And it would suit our house, which is also over 100 years old...

On offer for £150 atm @ThatEagerScroller 😊

eta; Spode

The universe is sending me signs!! Everything points to Spode!!

I have Denby and also use my parents' Spode. Both are great for everyday use, hard-wearing and dishwasher proof. You'll be eating off your choice for a long time (hopefully) so get what you love.

Get the Spode. You love it. It makes your heart sing.

Real Denby is different - I dropped a side plate on my tiled kitchen floor. The plate was fine but the tile cracked!

It's not unbreakable, but it can be surprisingly sturdy compared to imitations.

That’s where I have to disagree.
The number of William Morris “collaborations” in recent years (since about 2010) has really sold out and diluted the original designs. I imagine they’re now in the public domain and can be reproduced without copyright.

I’ve seen them on mid-range bed linen, biscuit tins, notelets, glasses cases, soap bags and most notably H&M clothes. Even Temu sells WM posters and it’s always the same Strawberry thief, pomegranates, Batchelor’s button and willow bough.

Chuck the foundation a few quid and you can use the designs wherever you like!

Get the Spode, and keep notifications on your phone for eBay bargain replacements.

No, Denby closing means it will be harder to get Denby replacements in a few years time if something gets broken.

So glad this isn't your choice of baby names which i initially thought 😅

William Morris Spode. If you get the Denby you will always be thinking about the Spode .Get what your heart really wants.