ideas for "timeless" mugs

[iontheprize]

We use our mugs a lot. We work from home, and drink several cups of coffee and tea between us. The problem is we buy sets of mugs and over the years one or two break, so then we get more so we can have a complete set, meaning we have 3 or so from the previous set that thus far we've just carried on using. But we need to rationalise the amount of room our mugs are taking so I'd like to clear the slate and start afresh.

What I'd really like is to find a mug that fits my criteria and that also is part of a collection that means we can get a replacement if one breaks (as opposed to buying a whole new set.)

I really like a non-frilly, classic 'tin can' shape mug with full, slightly upturned handle - the actual penguin book mugs are pretty perfect shape wise for me: https://shop.penguin.co.uk/collections/mugs (the knock offs less so, but they aren't bad)

• They must be microwavable
• Preferable they come in different colours or patterns so we can remember whose coffee is whose
• Points if they are sturdy and hold heat - my favourites have been bone china but I'm open.

But the real kicker I'm coming up against is finding ones that are part of an ongoing line, so that I can buy replacements. Here's what I've found, and why they aren't quite right for me...

• The penguin ones - though, while I'm a reader I don't know that I love enough of those books to make that a statement
• The pantone colour ones - again, I like colours but... (can you tell I've overthought this a but??) also a bit pricey
• Le Creuset - but the handles look a but fiddly to me
• Sophie Conran Portmeiron and Emma bridgewater -- I really like these but I'd prefer something with more of a tin can shape / less cottage core

What else? Something must fit the bill and I'm just overlooking it. Doesn't need to be fancy (the ones above are all pricier than I what I've spent previously, but if I only need to replace one every year rather than the lot, it will be worth it.

Any ideas?

Another vote - treated myself to 12 in my new kitchen.

https://www.johnlewis.com/le-creuset-stoneware-mugs-350ml-set-of-6-assorted/p111333049?sppc=2dxxmixedhomeeBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlZixBhCoARIsAIC745ACTZQ9AwM7GVVE0DewSP9KQVHLukh4LaHy0l5ULDJd3vWiz6HR14aAonjEALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I wonder if there's a split between coffee and tea drinkers' mug preferences?

I love the Le Creuset ones, but never drink coffee at home and would hate to drink tea out of them. Has to be bone china, I would never properly enjoy a cup of tea out of a thick mug. Don't even start me on teabags (although I appreciate that true tea aficionados will shudder at the mention of teabags).

Do have a couple of lovely rounded small Denby ones for when I used to have the odd cup, but I wouldn't dream of using them for tea.

I think I might take tea altogether too seriously ... 😂

Cornishware do lots of lovely colours.
https://www.cornishware.co.uk/mugs/cornish-10oz-mug#selection.color=Blue

I love this mug chat! My favourites to look at are Le Creuset and I love the mix-matchedness of having all different colours but they all match. DH likes them so we have a few but I don’t love drinking out of them, like a pp I like a thinner mug. I have some Denby ones which are my favourite to hold but they don’t do such nice mix-match designs.

oh also I have a cute barrel shaped mug that sort of curves in at the top, I swear that holds the heat in better. I also have a favourite hot chocolate mug which I bought years ago from Wilko and haven’t been able to find similar since, this is tall but not too tall and thick but not too thick wish I could find more, only been looking for about 20 years!

https://onestopcolourshop.co.uk/product/british-colour-standard-powder-blue-mug/?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=One%20Stop%20Colour%20Shop&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=331&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlZixBhCoARIsAIC745D-jYNsFoFTw-AhTDF3Zkxc05868wUtHcVukzryZQdZMubOUxZ2TpkaAuDlEALw_wcB

These British Colour Standard and the Pantone mugs are my favs...but then I don't like anything patterned or cottagey looking.
They are fine for microwave and dishwasher.

DH is a tea snob, so does indeed favour bone china for his leaf tea.

I have a couple of the large Keith Brymer Jones mugs (500ml). It took me a couple of weeks to get used to the handles as they get quite heavy when filled. They are good for wrapping your hads round, rather than holding just the handle IYSWIM. There is a Le Creuset level of thickness to the mugs (which are made in China). I am very impressed with Le Creuset's teapots (a panic purchase from a TK Maxx when staying in an aparthotel): Mine doesn't drip.

Our "People Will Always Need Plates" mugs are at least a decade old, in use daily. The design and colour doesn't seem to have faded, either! They are a nice china (and am very excited to see that they also do larger 330ml mugs these days). We have a solitary Pantone mug which I notice is now towards the back of the mug cupboard.

Those of you with handleless Bridgwater mugs, did the handles fall off after many uses or was it quite early on?

The Le Creuset cappuccino-shaped mugs would probably have space for three fingers (i have one). Got a set of the blue tea ones for our wedding along with a biscuit container and a coffee plunger and it was probably the best wedding gift we got. DH never got over having to leave a set of Denby at our last rented house as we didn't own them!

I've had penguin book ones (8 different ones) for well over a decade. They are great. I match book titles to drinker personalities or their recent behaviour for bonus fun.

Orla Keily mugs are nice, not so much the chunkier stacking ones but the simpler shape. You can buy different but toning ones.

Do they have to be designer or just functional?

These are jolly and you could buy a couple of sets. It would be a long time before you ran out!

Mugs

Denby mugs?

@Gymnopedie I'm intrigued - but you missed out the link?

I have these Sophie Conran Portmeiron and I really love them.

Well I managed to drop another one today, but only a tourist one from Madeira. I have totally got the clumsies this month. So I might be buying another.

I've gone completely off piste now and am just finding mugs I want. These Rolf and Wills ones really appeal - could see mixing and matching from different runs as needed: https://www.rolfeandwills.com/collections/mugs

oh but wow, these really speak to me: https://arthouseunlimited.org/product-category/mugs-tea-towels/. a local store is a stockist so I'll try to pop in and have a feel later this week

i like a small cup of tea and bought 4 of the pink stripey mugs just over a year ago. all have cracked - properly cracked with leaking tea everywhere. i would say they are delicate .

i have some lovely orla kiely white mugs
which have lasted forever and some of the pantone ones - both nice and sturdy.

Oh wow - these are gorgeous! As are many other things there. My bank balance is not thanking you 😂

I’m totally with you, @MuscariFan! stoneware is lovely, solid, chunky, great for coffee or hot chocolate but NOT for tea! The latter requires bone china. I’m such a tea w*nker that I always use a teapot 😂

Another vote for Denby. Worth every penny. I still use my late grandads Denby mug that has been used every day for 30+ years and still looks like new.

I have the azure haze and azure Coast sets - they have various ranges where you can get pieces that are different but complementary.

Can also replace individually if needed.

I got my sets from an outlet (saved a fortune!). They also give a blue light card discount too.

I like your plan - just buy the nicest mugs. Eventually they will all match because they are all beloved.

These ones are great - they’re large enough as well (the shape you like is often too small for me, all those lovely mugs in art gallery shops are often quite small. I like 14 oz / 400ml ish though can compromise down to 325ml if need be!)

Oh I’ve seen these in real life in a gifty things shop. V nice!

M&S Marlowe mugs are designed by Sue Pryke and seem to be a long running range https://www.marksandspencer.com/set-of-4-marlowe-mugs/p/hbp60563881. Or of course her own range https://www.suepryke.com/mugs-and-cups

Oh I have some of these and love how they look, and feel (the handle feels great in your hand!) but I've knocked a cup of coffee over my laptop twice from these mugs - v top heavy!! I also have the espresso cups in the same style which are much safer