Dining Like Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey, the television series set almost 100 years ago, has become one of our most popular tv programs. Downton Abbey successfully blends exceptional writing and intriguing story lines within the news and issues of their day while showcasing Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) and beautiful period settings.

While I enjoy history, part of my personal fascination is the style and insight given concerning an aristocratic family such as the Crawley’s and how the British social hierarchy works. Plus seeing how things and opinions change over time.

Being in the dinnerware business, it is most impressive to see how proper the table settings are presented and when something is in error that reprimands are made. Currently I am working through season three and during a very short scene; I found the quizzing of the silverware utensils quite interesting. This lead me to wonder what dinnerware was used on Downton Abbey.

With so many details of the show being based on the early 1900’s, I figured that the china / dinnerware used on Downton Abbey would be from the time period. In my research, I have read many of the items are historically accurate. However, I noticed something when Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), The Countess of Grantham, was given some tea that the pattern looked very familiar.

Upon doing some research and gathering some photos, I learned it is possible for you to Dine like Downton Abbey.

As it turns out, the Crawley’s dine on Spode Stafford White Dinnerware!

According to a Daily Mail Article from September 2011:
“Every piece of china used in Downton features the family crest, which was designed by Charmian, who had transfers made and stuck by hand on to ordinary Spode crockery.”

By using the Spode Stafford White, Downton Abbey was able to keep costs down and be able to quickly replace any dishes that might get chipped or broken. According to the Daily Mail article, with period glasses running around $140 a pair and linens difficult to replace and clean it makes sense to use something that is affordable and easily available.

Now you too can Dine like Downton Abbey with Spode Stafford White, however it doesn’t come with the Crawley crest, but it is a very regal pattern indeed.

While the Spode Stafford White is the main pattern for the show, we have seen another Spode pattern at the Crawley House and that is Spode Blue Italian.

The blue and white English dinnerware pattern has been in continuous production since 1816, almost 200 years. Hence, it is logical this tried and true dinnerware pattern would be in Downton Abbey scenes. Dinnerware Depot offers Spode Blue Italian dinnerware.

The Spode patterns above are or have been on Downton Abbey, however we have noticed an increase in the term Downton Abbey like or style china. Two patterns that reflect this look are Lenox Autumn and  Lenox Vintage Jewel both patterns originated or are inspired by this time period.  Whether you choose the actual Downton Abbey china or one inspired by it, we hope you watch your manners and enjoy Dining Like Downton Abbey in your home.

Ref. Daily Mail article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2038720/Downton-Abbey-How-dine-style--salt.html#ixzz2swCdgmu0

Enjoy and have a Splendid Day.
#downtonabbey #dinnerware #spodestaffordwhite #spodeblueitalian

Dr. Dinnerware

Fiesta Flamingo Color to be Retired

Yes, it's true. Fiesta Flamingo is being retired on 12/31/13 after a less than a 2 year run.

I must say I am a little surprised they picked the pink Fiesta, as I would have thought that Peacock, Plum or Paprika might have been on the chopping block.

The good news for Fiesta Flamingo fans is that Flamingo is not retired yet and you have a month to place your order for the Flamingo fiestaware you want while stock is plentiful. Another good thing is you can add Flamingo placesettings, bowls or other unique items on your Christmas list and very strongly tell loved ones it is all you want this Christmas.

The bad news is that come January, 1st production of Flamingo ceases and stocks will slowly and surely drop until items start sell out. Orders placed for out of stock items have a good shot of being produced but Homer Laughlin will make the final decision on what gets produced over the next month. Our advice is that if you want something, then put your order in and hopefully it will get produced.

Well when one color is pulled from the Fiesta lineup, another is often on the horizon and from now until March we can only guess. For now take a look of the great lineup of Flamingo Fiestaware while we still have it.

Happy Holidays,

Dr. Dinnerware

The Best Turkey Serving Tray for Thanksgiving

You want to make a statement at Thanksgiving then consider purchasing the Arthur Court Turkey Large Turkey Tray.

Seriously, this is the only turkey tray that brings your turkey to life with style, grace and fine details.

Arthur Court Large Turkey Tray

The cast aluminum tray is 24 inches long, 18 wide and has a height (yes height) of 7.5 inches. Your Thanksgiving Turkey will basically fit in / on this turkey platter and make a stunning statement whether or not the bird has been carved.

Arthur Court is known for making detailed serveware pieces including trivets, platters, gravy bowls and more that stand out. Among his Turkey Collection, the large turkey tray stands out as the signature piece that is sure to become a holiday standard in your home during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.

A perfect serving turkey tray for professional offices and family dinner tables.
View all of the Arthur Court Turkey Collection.

I can already taste the leftovers.
#turkeyplatter #thanksgivingdinner #arthurcourt

Dr. Dinnerware

New Villeroy & Boch French Garden Noel

Villeroy & Boch has grow in popularity and one of Villeroy's favorite patterns is the floral French Garden. Villeroy & Boch has taken notice of it's popularity and added a Holiday pattern called French Garden Noel.

Villeroy & Boch French Garden Noel

This is an accent collection and is limited to the following dishes:

Dinner Plate
Salad Plates
& Mug

You can mix these French Garden Noel dishes in with your Villeroy French Garden dishes to make a wonderful holiday statement.

When shopping for Villeroy & Boch, look for an Authorized Villeroy & Boch dealer.

French Garden Noel is a beautiful porcelain dinnerware that is microwave and dishwasher safe. This new Villeroy & Boch dinnerware pattern is now ready to ship.

Please note the Villeroy & Boch seasonal patterns are limited and often sell out before the holiday.
View more Villeroy & Boch Holiday dinnerware.

Dr. Dinnerware #Villeroydinnerware #FrenchGardenNoel


 

Lenox Announces Dinnerware & China Pattern Retirements

The three words you don't want to read once you have selected your China or Dinnerware pattern; "China Pattern Retired."

Lenox has announced new china and dinnerware pattern retirements and here is what it means to you.

1. Better Prices Now
Often the reason it is being discontinued is that it wasn't selling well enough. So in order to move the inventory that is sitting on the shelves, Lenox discontinues the pattern and drops the price to move it. The result is Better Prices for those Lenox patterns now.

2. Stock Up on Basics
If you like your pattern, now is the time to purchase extra place settings, mugs and serving bowls. The basic dinner pieces are likely to get used and one or two might get chipped or broken over the years, plus if you have 10 or 12 people over for a dinner event rather than 8 it is always nice to have the extra dishes.

3. Fill in Key China Pieces
Are there key items you have substituted during a holiday dinner, that you would be nice to have in you china pattern? Then consider getting those items now, because these get much harder to find once they sell out. The table essentials that come to mind are gravy boats, platters and covered bakers that match your pattern. The key is to add the most used items first and then layer on the occasionally used items if you have a need for them.

4. When They are Gone, They are Gone
The big downside to retirement is that if you didn't know about the retirement or are low on funds to add to your Lenox pattern, the deals only last as long as the stock does. While some patterns might take 12 months to clear out inventory other pattern key items could be gone within weeks. If there is something you know you would like, maybe now is a good time to let people know that a few china pieces, nudge, nudge, would make a great Christmas gift.

Here is the List of Lenox Retired China & Dinnerware PatternsSavings on these retired China Patterns can be up to 65%

1. Lenox Apropos China Pattern
2. Lenox Aspen Ridge Dinnerware
3. Lenox Blush Silhouette China
4. Lenox Chocolate China
5. Lenox Confection China Pattern
6. Lenox Collage Dinnerware - Stoneware Collection
7. Lenox Embraceable China
8. Lenox Federal Platinum Black
9. Lenox Federal Platinum Chocolate
10. Lenox Floral Meadow
11. Lenox Floral Patina
12. Lenox Flutter China Pattern
13. Lenox Moonlit Garden
14. Lenox Platinum Ice China
15. Lenox Quatrefoil Dinnerware
16. Lenox Rutledge Legacy Dinnerware
17. Lenox Scripted Platinum China
18. Lenox Silver Song
19. Lenox Twirl China
20. Lenox Vibe Links Dinnerware
21. Lenox Watercolor Amethyst
22. Lenox Watercolor Citrus
23. Lenox Watercolor Indigo
24. Lenox Wisteria

Enjoy the Savings,

Dr. Dinnerware

Fiesta Lapis Color Wheels

Want to know what Fiesta Lapis looks like next to Shamrock, Scarlet or Sunflower?

Well DinnerwareUSA took the idea of a color wheel and laid out all of the current Fiestaware colors, except white, ivory and black, around a blue Lapis Fiesta cereal bowl. They put together the three color groups and took pictures. The results of the Fiesta Lapis Color Wheels are below.

The First Lapis Color Wheel consists of Lemongrass, Sunflower, Tangerine, Plum, Cobalt, Peacock, Turquoise and Shamrock.

The blues and brights (Lemongrass, Sunflower and Tangerine) all look great with Lapis, Shamrock is good but not my favorite and Plum was my least favorite in this group. At least when looking at a just the two colors, however if you mix in other colors it can work.

The Second Fiesta Lapis Color Wheel consists of Turquoise, Flamingo, Scarlet, Paprika, Tangerine, Sunflower, Lemongrass and Shamrock. The Fiesta Flamingo pops with Lapis but it made me think of candy, kids parties and bubble gum. Scarlet and Lapis made me think of Americana and Nautical looks and by adding white the look is complete. The last new color in this wheel was Paprika and when it is placed next to Lapis it invokes a fall, lodge and rustic look.

The Third Lapis Color Wheel removed the bright colors from the mix which then gave the colors a different feeling. Colors included Cobalt, Plum, Shamrock, Paprika, Scarlet, Flamingo, Turquoise, and Peacock.

By mixing in Fiesta neutrals like White, Ivory and Black, Lapis can work with all of this colors and allow you to create unique and dynamic table settings.

Recently retired Fiestaware colors:
Marigold - This rich yellow pops on Fiesta Lapis
Chocolate - Blue and brown works together, but I favor Paprika and Lapis over Chocolate based on Chocolate's deep saturation.  

Fiesta Lapis is a wonderful color that works with just about every Fiesta color and adds a nice denim blue color to the Fiesta line up.

If you are looking to buy Fiesta dinnerware online, we suggest DinnerwareUSA a Fiesta only store that sells Fiestaware dishes from Homer Laughlin & Company and licensed Fiesta products including linens, flatware and more.

To view more of our Fiestaware Pictures and stay informed on Fiesta - Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Dr. Dinnnerware

Flamingo Fiesta Pictures - Our Favorite Fiestaware Pics from Photo Shoot

Each year when Fiesta launches a new color, DinnerwareUSA like to do a photo shoot and fun pictures with the new color and turn it into a video.

Last year, Fiesta released Flamingo Fiestaware which is lovely pink the works with variety of retired and current Fiesta colors. We used a variety of Fiesta dishes and mixed and match color schemes, so you can see the various color assortments that work together.

Just over a month ago Dinnerware USA launched it's Fiestaware Pinterest page and some of the most popular pins have been those from the Flamingo Fiesta photo shoot. We didn't think we would have a need for these Fiesta dinnerware pictures, but rather than us decide which ones you might want to pin we decided to post them so you can select your favorite Flamingo Fiesta pics.

Square Fiesta Plates & Mug - This Fiesta grouping really pops and makes for a vibrant table.
Colors Shown: Turquoise Fiesta, Flamingo Fiesta & Lemongrass Fiesta

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A Romantic Fiestaware setting - Scarlet Fiesta, White Fiesta and Flamingo Fiesta
Use neutrals like black and white to break up similar colors and make them stand out.

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Sometimes we are surprised by how different Fiesta colors work with each other, this is a good example. Fiestaware with Fiesta Tumblers - Flamingo Fiesta, Sunflower Fiesta, Shamrock Fiesta, Plum Fiesta, Lemongrass Fiesta. In the background are various Fiesta Tervis Tumblers

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Mix different plates sizes and Black Fiesta, Flamingo Fiesta, Ivory Fiesta and Turquoise Fiesta for a cool yet colorful combination.

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Stackable Small Pie Bakers, Fiesta Bouillon Bowl and a Flamingo Disc Pitcher - Lots of great colors working together. Tangerine, Lemongrass, Turquoise, Sunflower and Flamingo Pitcher

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Fiestaware Plates, Salt Shaker, Medium Fiesta Vase with Tervis Tumblers - Flamingo Fiesta, Sunflower Fiesta, Shamrock Fiesta, Plum Fiesta, Lemongrass Fiesta in the background is a Fiesta Tervis Tumblers

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This is a Fiesta Color stack from our Fiesta warehouse. Really liked how the random mix of colors came together so well.

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We hope you enjoy our Fiesta Photo Gallery featuring fun color combinations of Fiestaware. New photos and links will be added from time to time as Fiesta releases new colors and when we aren't busy filling Fiesta dinnerware orders in the warehouse.

Dr. Dinnerware
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