Crate and Barrel Dishes

I stopped buying expensive dishes and instead bought plain white dishes from Ikea. They are simple and showcase tasty, colorful meals well.

Are you speaking about the Cafe Ware?
They are good quality. I have had them for years.

Only thing is they are heavy.

The thing thing people do not realize is that porcelain is stronger than pottery and bone china is actually the strongest of all. It can go in the microwave, and dishwasher. I love the "Hotel Collection" that Macy's sells. It is all white and I also own a set of it. I have used coupons and in store discounts to collect it. I love the shape and size of the cereal bowls.

We got Corell from Walmart. We can go in 24 hours per day and pick up matching dishes.

Similar but we have the great whites dishes for pattern barn. I've had them for over 11 years. Love them great quality sold as individual pieces.

Love all of my CB stuff, most of which is over 10 years old. The simple style of CB dishware doesn't date itself, and the pieces wear like iron. Pottery Barn dishware is also a nice investment.

I got CB dishes, which I love, a number of years ago. Staxx to be specific. Got the whole set. Then they discontinued the line. Then I broke a couple of bowls and had to go searching on eBay to find the replacements. Cost a fortune. Love the dishes. Wish they hadn't discontinued them...

We have IKEA white pasta bowls that we use for everything. I think they were $2 a piece or something ridiculous like that. You can buy individual pieces and don't have to buy sets that might include pieces you will never use. We were able to buy enough for our entire extended family (15 if both sides if the family are here) without needing to buy multiple sets of dishes and spending an obscene amount of money. We've had them for several years and never needed to replace anything. When we need new plates, that is where I'm going b

J.,

I've never had Crate & Barrel dishes so I can't attest to the quality nor can I attest to being about to purchase a single plate.

I have Coca-Cola plates....I do know that IKEA has a great selection of plates, bowls and cups. If you have one near-by - I'd drop in to check them out.

Crate and Barrel have nice things and I like their dishes but I find that the dishes are too heavy for what I like for everyday.

I use solid white Corelle. There is an outlet not to far from me and years ago, I bought about 24 plates each of the 3 sizes available (small dessert plate, larger salad plate and dinner plate plus cereal and rim bowls. I bought a few of the extra pieces as well... bowls, platters.

We don't use the coffee cups and saucers.

With that many on hand, I don't worry if one breaks but at the same time, if I need something, I just run to the outlet and get what I need. I like the lightweight feel of Corelle and the solid white dishes.

I have no idea of the cost because it has been so long since I purchased any Corelle but I do know they were very reasonably priced. Our daughter did choose a pattern for her condo and bought what she wanted separately as well. She got a fairly large selection and spent less than $150.

Good luck.

I haven't bought CB plates in forever because....the ones we got as wedding gifts 22 years ago are still going strong! You basically have to drop and shatter one to have anything go wrong with it. Again -- this is the line from a long time back so I can't vouch for their current dinnerware but we got a plain white type with a subtle basketweave pattern on the rims and it's lasted very well.

My one caveat about buying plates etc. anywhere is that stores and manufacturers do discontinue lines, even the most basic lines. Our particular white-with-basketweave was discontinued shortly after we selected and got it -- CB had another similar line and kept that one but discontinued ours, so if keeping a matching set for years to come means a lot to you, be sure that any store you use can tell you if they plan to discontinue your line (even an "essentials" line can change). It doesn't matter to us, but I can see someone being really disappointed at investing in a full set of plates etc. and then a few years later discovering that "We don't carry that line any more." Unfortunately most salespeople in stores aren't going to have a clue how long the chain keeps styles, though a manager might be able to tell you.

I'm not sure if I'm too late in responding, but I would NOT buy Crate & Barrel dishes. I hate their kitchenware. Whether it's a glass or a dish, they all break so easily. I would look into other brands...

I know nothing about 'crate and barrel' dishes.

I DO know that I lived near an outlet for corelle when I was young, single, and just starting out. This set has been through some single years, and now, 7 kiddos. THEY CANNOT BE DESTROYED! lol

**and I have tried**

Megan will be my last kiddo to go 'off' to college. I truly plan on 'gifting' them to her! Then, from now on, when they visit, it will be my 'nice china' ALL THE TIME!

Corelle does make plain white. Walmart has them for sure...along with serving pieces.

Best!

Its funny you post this as I would like to replace my everyday dishes. I am tempted to go with the good old Corelle as they are so durable and come in different shapes and patterns as well as white. Also I saw that Pflatzgraf, which in the past I perceived as bulky & hard to fit in dishwasher & more rustic, has styles out that are very unPflatzgraf. I happened to walk through Macy's the other day (I can't tell you the last time I've been in) and they had their cellar version of white dishes that were reasonably priced - even less than the Corelle.
I want something I can put in dishwasher & microwave and goes with my home and is durable as well.
My recommendation - factor in your family's lifestyle - kids, their ages, do you use the plates in the microwave, also what size plate do you like? what shape? and how do they fit in dishwasher? I've noticed that sometimes I'd like plates or bowls that are a bit larger than the salad dish or smaller than the dinner plate or small desert plate/bowl or different shaped soup bowl etc based on portion control or the foods we eat. May sound silly but this perception can play with your mind if you are watching your weight especially. Also the server set I got to go with mine has a platter and bowl that is too big when it comes to storing with everyday stuff and I use the Corelle platter & bowl I have all the time.
My last set is showing some age.. got from a department store over 21 years ago.
In other words, whatever you choose make sure you like it... oh and I recommend service for 16 for everyday so you don't run the dishwasher as much and in case you break some pieces over time as well. But you will get your money's worth out of a good set so don't cheap out - just watch the sales.

We love our Crate & Barrel dishes. They are all white with a little design on the side. We got a set of 12 (5 piece set) for our wedding (in 2001) and they are still in perfect condition--not one has broken or chipped. Definitely worth every penny!

If you like colorful dishes, my vote is for Fiestaware. Made in West Virginia since 1936 and virtually indestructible. I bought plates and bowls in my favorite colors and by having multiple colors, even if something breaks and the color is discontinued I can replace it with another color and nobody will notice. What sold me on Fiestaware is that our local TacoTime is using their plates, and I figured if they survive a fast food place they'll survive my kids. So far that worked out. ;-)

First of all, for more durable dishes, go with stoneware (can be heavier) or porcelain (usually a bit lighter and thinner that stoneware) Earthenware has pretty colors and can be lighter, but it chips pretty easily and can craze (those tiny cracks underneath the glaze from temperature changes i.e. microwave, dishwasher, etc.)
Love my Crate and Barrel dishes, some I've had for 20 years, some for 6-7. They usually have some better priced ones in what used to be called their Basics collection. Usually simple white maybe with a little embossing or design. Can't beat those, and you can usually buy them open stock (don't have to buy whole place settings). Maybe try one of their outlets if you have one near you? Grab that 20% off if it's still going on!
We also got some very plain, but very nice white dishes from World Market, I think it was like 12 dinner plates for about $25, and it comes with a holding rack if you have buffet-type/large family dinners. They also have 12 salad size plates for a little less. I've seen some simple bowls there too, not sure if in a set or how much though.
The nice thing about white is you can use them everyday or dress them up with placements, cloth napkins and other accessories. :)
Hope that helps!