Do you have good crockery and everyday crockery?

[AddingMustard]

Or just crockery?
We use a mix of different eras of plain ikea plates every day, differing shapes and colours. Also kids crockery which is patterned albeit very faded now. DH thinks we should chuck the lot and use our good, wedding crockery as everyday. We rarely have guests, so it hardly ever gets used, maybe 6 times a year.

I was brought up with a set of posh crockery that only came out on special occasions so the idea seems slightly heretical to me. It would free up a cupboard though. Is good crockery a thing of the past?

@Hydrate "........Royal Albert Country Rose...... not really us....."

I know exactly what you mean. On the back of this thread I did a quick calculation on what my set is "worth" and it is over €1000 - wedding present and a lot of bits added. Obviously being second hand it wouldn't be worth that if I sold it.
€€€ and I don't even like it.
I don't think deep red and yellow go together

We had a Denby set in the cupboard for about 20 years. Just given it away to DH's Aunty as they have the same set in everyday use and were happy to have extras now they have grandkids. Didn't fit in the dishwasher very well and was just taking up cupboard space. I prefer our everyday one and use that for guests and Christmas!

Use the good stuff. Bring joy to your life. It's too short. Wear your best clothes too!

Another one for Denby. Ours was also from a wedding list at Debenham’s. It is used every single day. Few pieces have got chipped but it is still sold so easy to replace. I do have some emma bridgewater chtistmas serving dishes that go well withit on the festive table

@SNUG2022 I’m with you! Best things everyday including perfume, as today might be your best day!

Is the Denby still heavy?

Nope. I have 'nice' stuff and bog standard Ikea / Dunelem stuff. I dont save anything for best anymore, same with clothes.

There is no point to my mind having a canteen of cutlery that gets used once a year. There's no value in that! Use it and enjoy it before you shuffle off the mortal coil is my motto.

I agree with the 'use the best stuff' sentiment but I also understand the joy people get from only using particular things on special occasions. Christmas Day feels that bit more special if you're not using the same plates you eat shepherds pie on on a bog standard Monday.

I’m an only child, so it all comes to me and my only DS (who is unlikely to care!).
I meant that she uses her basic for her and my Dad, her middle one which is Villeroy and Boch Botanica for guests and the white and gold Royal Doulton never sees the light of day. Maybe if actual royalty came?

I am fortunate enough to have been given my great-grandparents' fine porcelain dinner service which is now over 100 years old. Definitely kept for best - we use it at Christmas only really. It's beautiful and needs a hand wash not the dishwasher!
I want to keep handing it down the generations.
My own everyday John Lewis set is rather unlikely to end up being passed on to my descendants...!

I don't have a posh set, my Mum did and is now trying to sell it as she doesn't use it and no-one wants (v nice but) old crockery.

I have everyday IKEA plates and bowls that are used for special occasions too. Easy to replace the odd one that gets smashed.

We asked for and received Denby when we married in 1999. We were an outlier amongst friends and my MIL was outraged. We stood our ground and it has stood the test of time. Completely ridiculous to have something which only causes stress and paranoia about being brought out and handled with kid gloves esp. if it can't be replaced easily.

I am with your dh here.
Use your lovely things.
I have antique Alfred Meakin for daily use. I figure it survived two world wars and deserves to perform its function.
If life ever calls upon me to produce an Art Decco coffee set or Art Nouveau dinner set, I am golden. Still waiting.
Gave up on fancy glass ware. Too clumsy apparantly.

@LadyEloise1

For you Denby lovers ( not me ) BBC2 programme Inside the Factory at 9pm on Wednesday does Denby.

Awesome! I've been on the factory tour.

Regarding weight, Denby (the stoneware ranges) are heavier as that's what makes them durable.
Fir something lighter there's that unbreakable catering China (steelite?) I guess, or bone china, if you don't have vegan objections.

@HangoverSquare

I agree with the 'use the best stuff' sentiment but I also understand the joy people get from only using particular things on special occasions. Christmas Day feels that bit more special if you're not using the same plates you eat shepherds pie on on a bog standard Monday.

Yes exactly and my posh plates are gold rimmed so I'm not hand washing every day