10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Dinnerware
From Janet
Every kitchen needs a stack of basic white dinnerware that can be dressed up or dressed down. Our top everyday white dinnerware selections:
Above: Favored by New York architect Annabelle Selldorf, Anna Dinnerware from Crate & Barrel is high-quality, dishwasher-safe bone china; $250 for a 16-piece set (includes four place settings).
Above: Teema Dinnerware by iittala; $26 for dinner plate (sold as individual pieces) at Unica Home.
Above: Build a collection of Albion White Stoneware by British design icon Sir Terence Conran for Royal Doulton; individual pieces (11-inch dinner plate is $4.99) are available at Bed, Bath and Beyond. A 16-Piece Set is available for $144 from the Conran Shop.
Above: Loft White 16-Piece Dinnerware by Rosenthal; $144 at Unica Home.
Above: The classic white porcelain dinnerware by Apilco, a French company known for its restaurant-quality (highly chip resistant) porcelain, is a favorite among the food cogniscenti. Apilco Tradition is a 20-piece set for $258 at Williams-Sonoma; pieces can also be purchased individually.
Above: Iittala's Arabia Porcelain Dinnerware, designed by Heikki Orvola, is a modernist classic; $95 for a five-piece place setting at Amazon.
Above: Vera Wang Naturals in Chalk, $59 for a four-piece place setting at Amazon.
Above: Jasper Morrison's PlateBowlCup line of sturdy bone china dinnerware for Alessi; prices range from $5 for a saucer to $60 for a serving platter. Available by the piece at All Modern; a 20-Piece Dinner Set is $183 at Haus Modern.
Above: The German-made Cucina Basic White Set from Arzberg are available by the piece at The Cozy Pinapple.
Above: The Great White Porcelain Dinnerware Collection from Pottery Barn is $95 for the 16-piece set.
Above: Sold by the case: White Anfora Rolled-Edge China Plates (9 5/8 inches), made of dishwasher-safe vitrified china, are $44.16 per dozen at Cooking.
Above: The Caterer's 12-Piece Dinnerware Set includes a dozen dinner plates; $49 from Pottery Barn.
December 9, 2009
Related Posts
» 10 Easy Pieces: Everyday Stainless-Steel Flatware
» 10 Easy Pieces: Classic Tea Kettles
» 10 Easy Pieces: Bistro-Style Stainless Flatware
» 10 Easy Pieces: Architect-Designed Flatware
» 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Bath Towels
Iittalla makes another classic line (since 1981) called "Teema" designed by Kaj Franck. Besides white, they also come in a colors.
You can't go wrong with plain white dishes, and with all those choices you'll never need anything else!
What about the true diner classic, Buffalo China, available through your nearest restaurant supplier?
... or how about Arzberg Form 2000 for some pure bauhaus platier-than-thou?
The original design purpose was apparently to make a tureen that could be emptied completely with a spoon. The jugs and lids look rather mid-century now and perhaps only suitable for theme homes but the plates and bowls seem to transcend period and still seem perfect to me.
I'm enjoying this blog very much, by the way. Thank you.
My mother's wedding china (1952) was the Arzberg Bauhaus white, and so was mine (1990). I use mine every day. I love it.
How can you overlook the classic of classics? Wedgwood White!
Great list... I'd add one more. The Diner Whites at Fishs Eddy in NYC. Basic & fabulous.
www.fishseddy.com
These are all such classic pieces that seem at home from modern to traditional. Great post!
What about the classic Wedgwood White? Don't just look at the form -- consider the function. Bone china is incredibly strong, white and doesn't chip. 14-years on, my ww is still perfect.
Yes! The Wedgwood White is classic and gorgeous. Thanks for adding to the list. It certainly is one that works for both dressy and everyday. We hope to do a roundup of dress china as well.
