I need new tableware - what's "in" and will last

[LadyMuck]

I have been merrily using my wedding Denby for many years, but it is at the stage where it is pretty much impossible to replace individual items. Time for a new "best" set. But what to go for?

My dining room is mainly beech wood with some milk chocolate leather thrown in. I need something with plenty of serveware.

Am tempted to go for a simple white set, but is that too overdone now? And what will last for a decade or so? Again liked the fact that I could build up the set with Denby. Anyone known how long their sets stay active?

Surely someone has an insight into what is good tableware wise?

Well I like Denby - stick with it?

I also like white. www.royaldoulton.com/GB/Tableware/_Shop_by_Category/Formal_Tableware/Fusion_White/FUSWHI06809/20+pie ce+set

That is nice.

So simple white hasn't been overdone yet? that's a relief. I think that Denby do a couple of white sets. Off to price check!

Denby sets depend on popularity. We have Greenwich which is still current after (touch wood) 15 years but nearly everything else in the range of patterns has come and gone in that time. The only way to avoid problems is to buy loads and stock up well when they put it on notice.

The only patterns guaranteed to last are probably catering plain ones by Churchill!

I just go to ADSA, Debenhams or Argos or similar and get a set. Not a cheapo set but something that doesn't cost the earth so if something breaks I don't get in a frenzy trying to get replacements.

Next have some lovely sets.

i'd go with white too. for variety you can then have different coloured napkins, table runner/cloth, possibly glassware, vases etc so you can get different looks to your table.

I have a plain white set, classic and simple, I also have a huge collection built up of things like Burleigh Arden (I adore blue and white tableware), random stripey habitat plates etc and mix and match.

I have a plain white set which my mother has brought me from the china factory shops. It is bone china, completely plain and I think she paid about £2-3 a plate. I can't tell that it is seconds and I use it for everything from barbecues to dinner parties and it always looks great. Every other set I've owned has chipped really badly but this seems indestructible.

We got Thomas Trend (which is plain white) when we were married - almost 19 years ago now. We had 10 of everything, but are down to only 4 of some of the most well used plates.

I priced up how much it would be to replace the broken items and it came to nearly £300! And it's only available online so it was sometimes hard to see that the pieces were the right ones/the right sizes.

Just before Christmas, I bought this - but in white not black. It looks naff in black, but it's actually very nice. As well as the boxed set you can buy individual pieces, and there are small dessert bowls (also rectangular) and serving dishes.

It's so cheap it's unbelievable - around £3-4 for a serving dish and about £2 for a plate - but it looks really good.

Yes, I agree that plain white is best, I have white, but can't help occasionally hankering after something mad like this...

Oh Jules Jules get something like that and mix it with the white, so crazy side plater, plain dinner plates etc. I wish you hadn't linked that it's lovely.

I buy a lot from charity shops and antique shops, you can get some real bargains.

Love that patterned stuff Jules

We have some Royal Doulton Fusion White also some Denby White mugs & cereal bowls etc

And you can't go wrong with Ikea 365 dinner plates for day-to-day use. Unlike some Ikea crockery they're bomb proof and look a lot more expensive than they really are

Realistically, can only afford to mix in one or two espresso saucers

John Lewis and M&S do good value plain white sets.

I bought plain cream Jasper Conran for Wedgewood at John Lewis. It is lovely.

We have Eternal Beau - never goes out of fashion.

Don't Denby do a plain white/cream set now? My Denby has been discontinued but I can still get it on Ebay...

Lolling at Eternal Beau never going out of fashion!

lol at eternal beau!!

i presume you have the matching toaster and kettle cover? pure class

I use the original Jamie Oliver @ Royal Worcester [[ www.royalworcester.co.uk/pattern/?navid=1&level=4&id=30&pgid=2 which is white with a subtle relief pattern). We're not really bone china best set type entertainers so the chunkiness of the crockery really appeals (as well as the fact that it is totally dishwasher proof!).

For everyday stuff we just use a plain white set from Tesco.

oh arse.

Jamie Oliver White. Crappy photographs but nice plates !

lol at eternal beau

is there a naffer set?

I like this set too

Royal Worcester have gone into administration and been acquired by someone or other. If you are anywhere close to Worcester and are quick there are some serious bargains to be had in their clearance store.

I think white with occasional cheapish bright/mad pieces mixed in - but then I am far from 'with it'

I've got a few pieces of this and really like it. It comes in a lovely light blue as well as white.www.sophieconran.com/Portmeirion_Porcelain.asp