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» Stupid china!

Stupid china!

P: 3/29/2008 4:38:07 PM
ladyciel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,381 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/24/2007	Sorry, but I need to vent. I'm getting really frustrated. Every time FI and I find a china pattern we like, it turns out to be a pattern with a lot of missing pieces. No gravy boat, no salt/pepper shakers, etc. Just the plates and bowls, maybe some serving dishes, and that's it. For one, why do companies do that?? And for two, how do you go about finding the missing pieces in a design that looks right with the original pattern?? Our latest love (found today at the mall) is Lenox's Floral Veil pattern. And...of course...it's missing things. The silliest part is that with the size of our wedding, I'm kind of doubtful we'll get a complete set of china (or we'll get all our china and not much else). However, because we DO want to own nice china (at least for the future when we're in a better position to entertain), and I think registering for it is a nice tradition, I want to do so. We figure we can fill in the missing pieces later on ourselves, but that sort of requires that the pieces are there for the buying. ********************** Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same. - Emily Brontë
Posted: 3/29/2008 4:38:07 PM

There are 22 replies to this message. There are 22 replies on this page.

P: 3/29/2008 5:27:12 PM
SarahLovesJS Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,973 Last Post: 11/21/2009 Member Since: 2/3/2008	Oh no!! I am sorry you're going through this. I just started looking at China myself. I was going to use what I thought was my grandmother's china, but I really like some of the Lenox patterns. I am sorry! Do you need some help looking? I'm up for the challenge. Also, do you know if they will be making the pieces later? Mrs. S<3JS
Posted: 3/29/2008 5:27:12 PM

P: 3/29/2008 5:49:33 PM
ladyciel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,381 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/24/2007	Oooh, I can't say no to offers of help, Sarah! So, the pattern we saw today is Lenox Floral Veil. The pictures online are awful and it's hard to see the actual pattern. It's a very subtle slightly raised floral/vine pattern, white on white, with little raised dots here and there, surrounded by thin inner and outer bands of platinum. I'd say the best description for it is understated and romantic, if that makes any sense whatsoever. Lenox's website says the pattern was introduced in 2005, so I kind of doubt they're about to start making more pieces for it. It doesn't even show up in their fine china category. You have to find it in the list of all patterns or just search the name. We also liked their Opal Innocence pattern, which is one of their best sellers, but we preferred the Floral Veil. The Opal Innocence has that "opalescent" finish as a background to the pattern, which we didn't like as much. ********************** Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same. - Emily Brontë
Posted: 3/29/2008 5:49:33 PM

P: 3/29/2008 5:51:55 PM
Loves Vintage Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,421 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 11/19/2007	I'm guessing the company doesn't find it profitable to make all of the pieces, so they don't. If you look at the Lenox site, you can see all of the pieces that they offer in your pattern, just to make sure it's not an issue of that particular department store not carrying all of the pieces. As far as the pieces that they don't make, like the gravy boat, maybe you can register for stainless steel one or a crystal one that you like, and then one of your guests who would otherwise want to purchase you one of those pre-boxed crystal gifts, might be re-directed to a crystal gravy boat that you'd actually want! Otherwise, I don't think you'd be able to really "match" the pattern, per se. On a side note, not what you guys are looking for at all, but how CUTE is that Lenox chirp pattern?!!? Maybe I should get china?
Posted: 3/29/2008 5:51:55 PM

P: 3/29/2008 5:59:41 PM
SarahLovesJS Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,973 Last Post: 11/21/2009 Member Since: 2/3/2008	Date: 3/29/2008 5:51:55 PM Author: Loves Vintage I'm guessing the company doesn't find it profitable to make all of the pieces, so they don't. If you look at the Lenox site, you can see all of the pieces that they offer in your pattern, just to make sure it's not an issue of that particular department store not carrying all of the pieces. As far as the pieces that they don't make, like the gravy boat, maybe you can register for stainless steel one or a crystal one that you like, and then one of your guests who would otherwise want to purchase you one of those pre-boxed crystal gifts, might be re-directed to a crystal gravy boat that you'd actually want! Otherwise, I don't think you'd be able to really 'match' the pattern, per se. On a side note, not what you guys are looking for at all, but how CUTE is that Lenox chirp pattern?!!? Maybe I should get china? Omg I can't stop looking at Chirp!!! I am trying to decide between that putting together my Grandmother's China that she got way after she was married. I looooove chirp. Why do I love it so much? Mrs. S<3JS
Posted: 3/29/2008 5:59:41 PM

P: 3/29/2008 6:01:00 PM
SarahLovesJS Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,973 Last Post: 11/21/2009 Member Since: 2/3/2008	Date: 3/29/2008 5:49:33 PM Author: ladyciel Oooh, I can't say no to offers of help, Sarah! So, the pattern we saw today is Lenox Floral Veil. The pictures online are awful and it's hard to see the actual pattern. It's a very subtle slightly raised floral/vine pattern, white on white, with little raised dots here and there, surrounded by thin inner and outer bands of platinum. I'd say the best description for it is understated and romantic, if that makes any sense whatsoever. Lenox's website says the pattern was introduced in 2005, so I kind of doubt they're about to start making more pieces for it. It doesn't even show up in their fine china category. You have to find it in the list of all patterns or just search the name. We also liked their Opal Innocence pattern, which is one of their best sellers, but we preferred the Floral Veil. The Opal Innocence has that 'opalescent' finish as a background to the pattern, which we didn't like as much. My first piece of advice is to try www.replacements.com. Have you been there? I will keep looking. They sell pieces to almost every pattern you could imagine, haha. Mrs. S<3JS
Posted: 3/29/2008 6:01:00 PM

P: 3/29/2008 6:10:21 PM
ladyciel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,381 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/24/2007	I checked replacements.com, and searched just about everyone else I could find. I think the issue is the company just NEVER made those pieces. Sigh. Chirp is really adorable, but I don't think I could ever sell FI on it... Opal Innocence is actually so close to Floral Veil that we might be able to use it for the few unavailable pieces. They might even come across as special accent pieces rather than mismatched. Maybe? Loves vintage, your idea for stainless or crystal for those pieces could also be a solution. Might even make the gravy boat practical for more casual dinners with sauce on the side. Hmmmmm... ********************** Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same. - Emily Brontë
Posted: 3/29/2008 6:10:21 PM

P: 3/29/2008 6:12:45 PM
Gypsy Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,306 Last Post: 11/20/2009 Member Since: 8/9/2005	Honestly, not everyone buys all the 'extra pieces' to have a complete and total patterns set, so sometimes I think manufacturers use similar lines as cross overs. For example, another lenox pattern, probably a really Plain ivory one with platinum band might be a COMPLETE set, and the pieces of that set might coordinate with this one set to complete it. I'd look into that at an actual Lenox store. You might be surprised.
Posted: 3/29/2008 6:12:45 PM

P: 3/29/2008 6:22:12 PM
SarahLovesJS Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,973 Last Post: 11/21/2009 Member Since: 2/3/2008	Aww man not at replacements? Yeah I agree, it probably wasn't ever made. Have you called Lenox? Might be a lost cause. I really like the idea of matching crystal, silver, or even other patterns to it, that's great! If it's the pattern you really love then you can make it work with some matching! Mrs. S<3JS
Posted: 3/29/2008 6:22:12 PM

P: 3/29/2008 6:36:48 PM
ladyciel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,381 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/24/2007	Sigh. I understand why the companies don't offer/make EVERYTHING for every pattern, it's just frustrating that it seems to be all the patterns WE like that are missing the pieces WE think essential. I grew up with my mom's china every holiday, and that meant her matching gravy boat was on the table. When I picture my mom's china, half the time it's her gravy boat that comes to mind first. Kind of weird, I know, but the association is there and hard to break. ********************** Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same. - Emily Brontë
Posted: 3/29/2008 6:36:48 PM

P: 3/29/2008 6:47:00 PM
WTNLVR Ideal Rock Total Posts: 623 Last Post: 1/9/2009 Member Since: 1/30/2005	If you have to have a set with all the peices, then you'll either need to get a very popular older pattern or a new one that makes all the peices. Then, don't wait and get all the pieces. When we married, our China went out of production in 2 years. Luckily Replacements has that and our chrystal. I do highly recommend them. I'm one who never elected to get all the matching pieces. I have a sterling cofee/tea set and a sterling gravy boat. The standard bowls and platters I did get. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles- it empties today of its strength.
Posted: 3/29/2008 6:47:00 PM

P: 3/29/2008 7:56:59 PM
Pandora II Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,272 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 8/3/2006	I got fed up with that as well. Or, they had 50% of the things in a nice shape and the other 50% were eugh! In the end, I have gone for plain white bone china that is not expensive (ie I won't cry if I break a plate), will never be discontinued and has over 40 pieces available.
Posted: 3/29/2008 7:56:59 PM

P: 3/29/2008 8:33:44 PM
diamondfan Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,998 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 6/17/2005	Many brands have brochures so you can see what comes in that pattern. But let me just play devil's advocate here. When I got engaged 18 plus years ago I registered for Wedgwood Amherst. It had platters and tureens and gravy boats and rim soups and coffee serving pieces...I got all of it and then some. Honestly, I rarely used it and realized a couple of years ago that I do not love it, so I got new china that I love, by Bernardaud. Now, I realized that I like mixing in pieces to my stuff. So if you love a pattern, see if within that company you could have that option. Let's say your pattern has gold and white with other colors, you can use glass that has gold on it and plain white with gold...so it has some interest to it. Of course, I would want the main or important pieces to come in the pattern, but you can do things to mix it up and make a lovely table. Also try Replacements or any of the china services and see if they have stock in your pattern. That can be a great way to supplement pieces here and there. **************************** "There is no such thing as fun for the whole family-there are no massage parlors with ice cream and free jewelry" Jerry Seinfeld
Posted: 3/29/2008 8:33:44 PM

P: 3/29/2008 9:42:32 PM
sumbride Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,867 Last Post: 1/21/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2006	My china pattern had a cream and sugar, but no tea pot, and my aunt WANTED to get me a tea pot, so she sat down with the bridal consultant and the catalogs and ordered a tea pot out of another line, from a different brand, and while it doesn't match perfectly, it coordinates really well. Complete matchy-matchy can be quite boring... use it as a good excuse to add in accent pieces!
Posted: 3/29/2008 9:42:32 PM

P: 3/29/2008 9:57:38 PM
FrekeChild Ideal Rock Total Posts: 12,927 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 12/14/2007	This is why I'm sticking with plain old white. (Is it weird that I already know what we'll register for, even though I haven't been proposed to yet?) The plain white is probably also coming from the semi-pro cook in me... ETA: I say, if you love it, get it and find another pattern with plain white or whatever other pattern coordinates or compliments it like what diamondfan said. All the same stuff seems kind of boring to me, but I'm kind of wacky. _______________________________ "Women are either goddesses or doormats." Pablo Picasso "In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain
Posted: 3/29/2008 9:57:38 PM

P: 3/29/2008 10:09:07 PM
ladyciel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,381 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/24/2007	Pandora, that's another thing - icky shapes! Thankfully I can tolerate most of the Lenox shapes, but I've been turned off many a pattern because of that. I'm definitely warming up to the idea of using the unavilable pieces as a chance for accent pieces. Several of you have mentioned going to all white china to avoid this exact issue, but really the pattern we love isn't far off from that. We wanted something just a little more decorative than plain white, but we didn't want to stray too far from it either. I have to laugh, because I think our taste in china is a perfect expression of our taste in general. Take my e-ring, for example. MWM's sunburst. Very close to a standard, completely simple 6-prong solitaire, yet with just a little bit of something extra to it. If we go with the Floral Veil pattern, then anything silver, white+silver, or just plain white will match pretty easily. Lenox uses the same shapes in a lot of their patterns, too, so we should be able to figure something out. ********************** Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same. - Emily Brontë
Posted: 3/29/2008 10:09:07 PM

P: 3/30/2008 12:36:34 AM
Asscherhalo_lover Ideal Rock Total Posts: 572 Last Post: 11/20/2009 Member Since: 8/16/2007	Date: 3/29/2008 6:22:12 PM Author: SarahLovesJS Aww man not at replacements? Yeah I agree, it probably wasn't ever made. Have you called Lenox? Might be a lost cause. I really like the idea of matching crystal, silver, or even other patterns to it, that's great! If it's the pattern you really love then you can make it work with some matching! i work as a bridal consultant at macy's and i help people coordinate their china allll day. when it comes to any lenox pattern, as long as it is a white with platinum pattern, not the cream but the white, you can fill in missing pieces from the lenox federal platinum. it is very plain, only white with platinum trim, but it will match any of their other patterns in this respect. i have had people get pieces from it to match with their other china several times. as far as the companies not making every piece, whenever lenox introduces a new pattern, they only introduce the essentials. if the pattern does well, they will add more pieces over time. venetian lace is only about a year old. mmmm...diamonds.....
Posted: 3/30/2008 12:36:34 AM

P: 3/30/2008 12:12:06 PM
ladyciel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,381 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/24/2007	Oooh, thanks for the insider info, Asscherhalo_lover! Everybody go buy more Floral Veil, mmmmk?! ********************** Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same. - Emily Brontë
Posted: 3/30/2008 12:12:06 PM

P: 3/30/2008 1:34:53 PM
Octavia Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,476 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 10/29/2007	Asscherhalo_lover, does that mean that the Federal Platinum has longevity going for it? I know that you can't be certain, but as far as you can tell? I actually really like it, and if I register for china I want something very plain that I can then jazz up with fun chargers, accent plates, glassware, etc. FI couldn't care less about china patterns, and I can be pretty clumsy. I'd be so happy if I can avoid poor ladyciel's dilemma, and also the "bought and then instantly discontinued" problem.
Posted: 3/30/2008 1:34:53 PM

P: 3/30/2008 2:25:01 PM
cara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,479 Last Post: 11/18/2009 Member Since: 3/21/2006	Is there any way that non-matching substitutes would be OK with you, or is part of what you like about china having all the extraneous pieces matching? For the salt and pepper, are you talking about individual salt and pepper shakers for super-fancy service or table-wide shakers? If the latter, I would just invest in some high-end complimentary non-china ones. There are some really nice examples made out of other materials (steel, wood, lacquer). Surely one of them would go well with your china pattern. If you are looking for individual shakers, maybe there are crystal or glass ones out there that would be appropriate. For the gravy, what about a stainless or silver gravy boat? And for some brands, there is a plain white gravy boat in a compatible shape for several more detailed china patterns. I had such difficulty picking a china pattern (we ended up not finding anything reasonably priced we could agree on), that I would hate to abandon a whole pattern because it lacked certain items. We almost went with one pattern that had certain really ugly pieces (tea pot, gravy boat) so I though pretty carefully about how we would avoid buying them. I believe LadyKemma mentioned that she has many lines of china, but to make it less expensive she only gets the dinner plates and other main pieces. For all the extras, she gets complimentary universal stuff so that it goes with the christmas china, the pattern from Grandma X, the wedding china, etc. So glass items and silver/stainless items go with all the different patterns.
Posted: 3/30/2008 2:25:01 PM

P: 3/30/2008 2:48:54 PM
Asscherhalo_lover Ideal Rock Total Posts: 572 Last Post: 11/20/2009 Member Since: 8/16/2007	Date: 3/30/2008 1:34:53 PM Author: Octavia Asscherhalo_lover, does that mean that the Federal Platinum has longevity going for it? I know that you can't be certain, but as far as you can tell? I actually really like it, and if I register for china I want something very plain that I can then jazz up with fun chargers, accent plates, glassware, etc. FI couldn't care less about china patterns, and I can be pretty clumsy. I'd be so happy if I can avoid poor ladyciel's dilemma, and also the 'bought and then instantly discontinued' problem. absolutely, federal platinum is their basic construct pattern for all of their modern patterns. it's the "eternal" of modern day. for that matter, eternal is still in production and it's over 50 years old. the most simple patters are the ones that last the longest because you can make anything of them. it also has the most available accessory pieces of any of their patterns. it's a great choice for someone who likes to have the ability to change the look of their table by changing the decorations and not the dishes. mmmm...diamonds.....
Posted: 3/30/2008 2:48:54 PM

P: 3/31/2008 12:06:13 PM
scm1012 Cut Rock Total Posts: 123 Last Post: 4/29/2008 Member Since: 5/21/2007	I completely understand your frustration. I registered for Kate Spade 'Pebble Point' and there aren't many extra pieces with that pattern such as a gravy boat or coffee pot. Soo.....I chose Kate Spade's 'June Lane' for an accent plate and with that pattern does come a gravy boat and some other pieces. So I am happy with being able to mix and match a few of the pieces so that it isn't too uniform but it still matches. Also, the saleslady who helped me with all of this told me that since Kate Spade china is made by Lenox, you could choose within the Lenox brand and know it will match based on the style.
Posted: 3/31/2008 12:06:13 PM

P: 3/31/2008 7:38:44 PM
Fancy605 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,446 Last Post: 4/26/2009 Member Since: 7/4/2006	Have you looked into any Noritake china patterns? That's what we have, and our pattern has literally EVERY piece I can even begin to think of and then some (From accent plates to coffee mugs--not just tea cups, but mugs too--to gravy boats to accent plates in a holiday pattern) It's nuts. "The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw." Havelock Ellis
Posted: 3/31/2008 7:38:44 PM

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